Been living here since 2016. Homes are going for about $197,500 on average. With a population of 3,749, Spurgeon is a small town. The median home value here is around $197,500, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 16.2%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a small town city with about 3,749 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots? Any help is appreciated. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
14 upvotes
11 Replies
Zoe Gomez
been saying this for years
39 upvotes
Bella Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Uptown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Weston James
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Jaxon
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Springfield area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Naomi Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 53, moved here 5 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Uptown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
28 upvotes
William D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
27 upvotes
Caroline Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
26 upvotes
milwaukee_delilah
honestly same experience here
21 upvotes
Maria R.
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 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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