Curious what people think. I'm retired and Household incomes average around $103,129 in Randolph Town. The median home value here is around $463,500, which is pretty steep. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Let me know your thoughts. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
26 upvotes
29 Replies
Elena Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Anna Thompson
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Riley
literally same
35 upvotes
Adam Foster
I've lived in Old Town for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Wyatt Chavez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Austin it's underrated.
33 upvotes
Matthew M.
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
Quinn J.
great question, following
30 upvotes
Zoey M.
hard disagree but ok
28 upvotes
Emma Scott
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Alexander Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
22 upvotes
Maverick Wright
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Jordan J.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Paisley Murphy
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. it exceeded my expectations.
19 upvotes
Brielle Reyes
lol so true
18 upvotes
Ezra O.
I've lived in Highland for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Levi Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 28, moved here 3 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Greenfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 San Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
15 upvotes
Eva Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Sophie Moore
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Thai places. it's been a really good experience overall.
13 upvotes
Maverick H.
as a local I can confirm
12 upvotes
Christian Thompson
I work in consulting here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Cameron Evans
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
Maverick Ramos
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 4 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains 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 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 public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Madelyn Harris
I've lived in Greenfield 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 Houston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The traffic scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Jackson Clark
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
Easton R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Hunter
Moved here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Leonardo Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 15 years. Moved from Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are hit or miss. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Evan Jimenez
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Uptown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
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