Been meaning to ask this. I relocated for work and Poverty rate is 22.3%, which is higher than I expected. The unemployment rate is 6.3%, which is concerning. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I wrong here? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Robert Richardson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is improving in most areas.
38 upvotes
Jose Cooper
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Alexa Gray
Bought a house here in 2021 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
32 upvotes
Thomas Lopez
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The walkability scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Silas Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (West) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Homeless population growing 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.
23 upvotes
William D.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Boston it's better than expected.
14 upvotes
Willow Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Benjamin Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
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