Hey folks, Military spouse here. Median household income is $127,449, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -St. John sits at 21.7 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Kayla W.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The healthcare scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Luke Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Kai Lopez
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Audrey B.
this is the way
24 upvotes
Brielle Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
23 upvotes
Katherine R.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
Emma Ortiz
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Southern places. it's been a really good experience overall.
21 upvotes
Thomas Lewis
Came here for weather and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The weather is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Dominic Lewis
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Connor L.
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Eleanor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Greyson Diaz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Adam Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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