First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,472/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Does this match your experience? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
sfgirl2020
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
39 upvotes
Piper Sanchez
accurate
37 upvotes
Naomi Morales
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
31 upvotes
Bennett S.
This.
29 upvotes
David Sanchez
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Ezekiel Morris
I've lived in Downtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong sense of community
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Isabelle Diaz
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
20 upvotes
Mia M.
bump
16 upvotes
Aaliyah W.
exactly what I was thinking
4 upvotes
Hudson Martinez
I've lived in Oak Park for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Elizabeth Ramos
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (West) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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