Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. It's a a smaller city city with about 57,961 people. Homes are going for about $349,400 on average. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider -Orland Park sits at 44.4 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Should I be concerned? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
28 upvotes
14 Replies
Emma Peterson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Jose
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Caleb M.
I've lived in Fairview for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Isaiah
seconding this
30 upvotes
cool_kinsley19
I'm a nurse and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Autumn Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 36, moved here 5 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
28 upvotes
Ella Moore
spot on
27 upvotes
Weston J.
lol so true
26 upvotes
Victoria Rivera
Bought a house here in 2023 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
21 upvotes
dc_noah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Nolan L.
I work in government here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is tough. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Steven A.
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Janice R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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