Alright, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a small town city with about 8,530 people. The median home value here is around $184,700, which is actually reasonable. With a population of 8,530, Perryville is a small town. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Low taxes
Cons:
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
- Lack of diversity
- Far from major airports
Anyone in a similar situation? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
14 upvotes
9 Replies
James Jones
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Asian places. it exceeded my expectations.
30 upvotes
Jayden Adams
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 Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails 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 challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Everly Robinson
Moved here from Seattle about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to safety but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Melissa R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
Noah Lewis
hard disagree but ok
23 upvotes
David Parker
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Sarah Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Wyatt Walker
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Vivian P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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