Hi all, I relocated for work and Homes are going for about $685,000 on average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 177K people. You can expect to pay around $2,084 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
58 upvotes
14 Replies
Amy W.
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Joshua Evans
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Henry Scott
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 6 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers 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 challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Savannah Mitchell
seconding this
25 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Valentina Anderson
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
savannah_kid
Bought a house here in 2022 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
13 upvotes
Everett Walker
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
12 upvotes
Asher Torres
+1
11 upvotes
Adrian Moore
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
3 upvotes
Brielle White
Saving this thread
3 upvotes
Eliana E.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
3 upvotes
Zoe R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 43, moved here 15 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
2 upvotes
Adeline Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
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