Pros and cons of Park Forest Village after 12 years
Hey everyone, With a population of 8,810, Park Forest Village is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 8,810 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Park Forest Village sits at 46.0 per 100K. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What would you do? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
13 upvotes
4 Replies
Jacob T.
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Genesis Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 46, moved here 13 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. decent 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. 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.
29 upvotes
Joseph Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 48, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 LA, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. 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.
10 upvotes
Axel Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 47, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Atlanta, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
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