Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and Homes are going for about $118,400 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Worth the trade-offs?
8 upvotes
24 Replies
Victoria Jackson
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great sushi places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Axel Martin
Came here for school and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Weston Mendoza
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Jaxon Garcia
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Sofia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability 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.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
savannah_mind
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
30 upvotes
Landon Price
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
29 upvotes
Bella Thompson
I've lived in East for about 12 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 Salt Lake City, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The outdoor recreation scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Aria Walker
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
23 upvotes
Valentina C.
honestly same experience here
21 upvotes
Samuel E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 42, moved here 10 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
21 upvotes
Walter M.
I'm a project manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Luke T.
spot on
16 upvotes
Quinn H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Luke Martin
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
13 upvotes
Bennett
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 7 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Luke S.
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Gabriella Cox
preach
11 upvotes
Margaret R.
it depends on the neighborhood
7 upvotes
Nova R.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much stable but now it's underrated.
6 upvotes
Aiden Roberts
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Waylon F.
Moved here from Raleigh about 15 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Quinn Kim
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Atlanta it's challenging.
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