Been meaning to ask this. I grew up here but left for a while. The city has invested a lot in new development. Anyone in a similar situation?
2 upvotes
18 Replies
Serenity Jones
Bought a house here in 2021 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
40 upvotes
Jerry A.
good to know, thanks
34 upvotes
Addison M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Ariana K.
This.
29 upvotes
Leah Evans
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
Ezra
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
22 upvotes
phoenix_autumn
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
21 upvotes
Benjamin Hill
I work in government here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Luke Price
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Hailey Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
17 upvotes
Evelyn Chavez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
wild_violet50
100%
14 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Hudson Myers
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Andrew Bailey
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is solid in most areas.
6 upvotes
easton_mama
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Grayson Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into biking, 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.
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