Hey, I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $2,511/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
8 Replies
living_aiden31
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in East area are solid. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Mary W.
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 14 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Sofia
+1
32 upvotes
coastal_hunter15
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Asian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
Jayden Peterson
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Chloe G.
bump
20 upvotes
Emmett R.
Saving this thread
12 upvotes
Terry C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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