Hey everyone, The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 68,175 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
12 upvotes
8 Replies
Angel Baker
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Everly D.
accurate
35 upvotes
Mia K.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
Riley Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Lucy Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Grace Phillips
been saying this for years
17 upvotes
Hannah Young
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Aaron Cox
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 11 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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