So, Military spouse here. Median household income is $56,780, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 7.6%, which is concerning. Household incomes average around $56,780 in Passaic. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Thoughts? Thanks for reading. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
29 upvotes
14 Replies
Jeremy R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Dominic
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Edward W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Rylee Roberts
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Reagan Rivera
accurate
24 upvotes
Madeline Cruz
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The pet-friendliness scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
John Cooper
literally same
23 upvotes
Sarah Ross
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The public transit is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Reagan M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Santiago Foster
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 12 years. Moved from Chicago for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes 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 underrated. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Julia Peterson
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
1 upvotes
John Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
Ruby Long
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
1 upvotes
Samantha W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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