Curious what people think. Median household income is $96,347, which feels pretty solid for the area. Any advice would be great.
19 upvotes
15 Replies
Miles Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 9 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
loving_jameson94
bump
35 upvotes
Thomas S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Aurora
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Denver it's excellent.
31 upvotes
Jack Long
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Bella Gonzalez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
24 upvotes
Valentina C.
I've lived in Sunset for about 5 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 Miami, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The weather scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Arianna Moore
facts
18 upvotes
Nicholas Y.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Greenfield schools are tough. 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Xavier Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Mackenzie Miller
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I love the pace of life here.
14 upvotes
jameson_lover
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
6 upvotes
Elena Harris
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Elena
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Violet Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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