Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. Median household income is $67,004, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $941 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I wrong here? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Stella Morris
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Violet Price
Moved here from Austin about 15 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to public transit but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Isaiah Allen
100%
28 upvotes
Santiago
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The public transit is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Katherine Robinson
as a local I can confirm
25 upvotes
Aurora Morales
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Nathan Smith
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 6 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Nicholas Alvarez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
11 upvotes
Natalie M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Emilia Cook
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
5 upvotes
Weston Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Ava Rivera
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 5 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 surprisingly good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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