Curious what people think. I'm retired and Homes are going for about $326,200 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What are your go-to spots? The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
18 upvotes
42 Replies
Austin T.
I'm a electrician and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Roman Mitchell
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
David Lewis
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is underrated. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
proud_christian22
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 49, moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
34 upvotes
Emmett Gutierrez
Moved here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to weather but Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Gabriella E.
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Dominic Long
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in North area are decent. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Skylar Anderson
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Oak Park area are tough. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Jacqueline R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
30 upvotes
Isabella Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Avery C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
27 upvotes
Adam
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The housing market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Sadie Turner
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Maverick S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
25 upvotes
Ezekiel Morris
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
23 upvotes
David Davis
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
23 upvotes
Adrian A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Salt Lake City it's average.
22 upvotes
Jack Parker
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
21 upvotes
Ezekiel James
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Bella
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Hailey M.
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 Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches 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 improving. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Evelyn Thomas
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Samuel A.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Jonathan
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in East area are solid. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Asher Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
13 upvotes
Adeline Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Westside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
12 upvotes
Ezekiel F.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is challenging in most areas.
11 upvotes
maverick_chef
facts
11 upvotes
Lily Garcia
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Ian
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Adam Foster
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
Barbara M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Zoe Mitchell
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
9 upvotes
Robert Alvarez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Christian Collins
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Abigail M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Riverside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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
Jose R.
spot on
3 upvotes
Adeline
yep
3 upvotes
Leo Harris
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The school system is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Brielle
preach
1 upvotes
Olivia Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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