Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a remote worker and Household incomes average around $135,774 in Richfield. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thoughts? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up.
1 upvotes
10 Replies
Quinn
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
40 upvotes
Nova Brooks
accurate
29 upvotes
Virginia M.
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Ethan H.
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 15 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering 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 pretty good - 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 excellent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Camila Wilson
+1
20 upvotes
Cameron Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Gabriel R.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much affordable but now it's average.
18 upvotes
Adam C.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Violet Cook
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Sophia Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Raleigh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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