Hi all, It's a a small town city with about 11,384 people. Homes are going for about $361,200 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Oregon sits at 74.9 per 100K. The median home value here is around $361,200, which seems about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Should I be concerned? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
miami_angel
good to know, thanks
36 upvotes
Addison Ortiz
yep
31 upvotes
Natalie W.
not my experience at all
26 upvotes
lake_bennett95
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Jose Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 33, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
24 upvotes
addison_guy
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
Lillian Turner
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 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Property taxes are high. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Leah Myers
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in West area are decent. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Hailey Williams
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much wild but now it's improving.
21 upvotes
Helen H.
I'm a nurse and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Theodore J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 29, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
Greyson B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 32, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
Ella F.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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