My partner and I are With a population of 7,939, Silvis is a small town. Median household income is $67,569, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $161,300, which is actually reasonable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What would you do? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Joshua
honestly same experience here
38 upvotes
Riley Cook
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from New York about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Theodore Ross
preach
37 upvotes
Luna Hill
this is the way
34 upvotes
Audrey Bailey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Aria Morales
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
parker_lover
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much reasonable but now it's tough.
28 upvotes
Zoe King
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
Matthew M.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much stable but now it's pretty good.
26 upvotes
Ian
it depends on the neighborhood
25 upvotes
Ezekiel
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
23 upvotes
Katherine W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Phoenix it's improving.
19 upvotes
Mia Cruz
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 4 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests 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 pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Christian Phillips
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cost of living is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Gabriel Murphy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
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