Hello, My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $818/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $142,400, which is actually reasonable. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Eleanor L.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much wild but now it's pretty good.
28 upvotes
Oliver Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are solid. 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 entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Emilia Sanchez
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Ian Wood
haha yep pretty much
20 upvotes
Aria Robinson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Adam Ruiz
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Camila R.
This.
14 upvotes
coastal_clara80
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Evan Edwards
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
11 upvotes
Aurora
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
8 upvotes
Allison
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
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 3 years. Moved from Chicago for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Oak Park schools are pretty good. 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Gabriel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Matthew Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 25, moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Greenfield and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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