Hello, With a population of 34,971, Oildale is a smaller city. Rent is about $1,220/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What are your go-to spots? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
20 upvotes
17 Replies
Ezekiel M.
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Samuel Foster
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Rachel K.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Scarlett Edwards
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Avery C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 10 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
omaha_aurora
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Josiah
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is solid
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Daniel Edwards
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Reagan Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Serenity James
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Sunset area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Violet Gonzalez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's excellent.
12 upvotes
Nolan
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
8 upvotes
Elena
hard disagree but ok
8 upvotes
Landon Wilson
haha yep pretty much
8 upvotes
Richard B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
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