First post here. I'm single, late 40s, and The unemployment rate is 4.7%, which is about average. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
19 upvotes
13 Replies
Elizabeth S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. West schools are improving. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jonathan P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Lakewood and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Portland, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
40 upvotes
Mateo Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Theresa B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Eleanor S.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Matthew Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Maya E.
Moved here from Dallas about 5 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to housing market but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Skylar Cruz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Josiah Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Beverly H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Francisco it's challenging.
15 upvotes
Hannah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
4 upvotes
Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (South) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
0 upvotes
Gabriel C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
