OK so I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $64,137, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 12.2%, which is around average. The median home value here is around $193,200, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider — Pittsburgh sits at 798.1 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
26 upvotes
17 Replies
Evelyn Thomas
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Elijah Davis
hard disagree but ok
36 upvotes
Richard S.
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Weston Sanders
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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.
33 upvotes
gabriella_lover
preach
32 upvotes
Isaac King
not my experience at all
27 upvotes
Piper Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Dallas about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Madelyn Alvarez
as a local I can confirm
24 upvotes
Isla Price
yep
23 upvotes
Madison B.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Leah Baker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Arianna
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Southern places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
12 upvotes
Adrian L.
facts
9 upvotes
Mia
hard disagree but ok
9 upvotes
happy_dominic53
Moved here from Dallas about 4 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cost of living but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Sofia M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Rising rent and home prices. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
serenity_lover
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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