Random thought, With a population of 48,818, Stillwater is a smaller city.
23 upvotes
13 Replies
omaha_aubrey
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
Carter Sanchez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Alice Phillips
Moved here from Miami about 1 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cost of living but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Jose Rivera
I work in finance here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Camila Thomas
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Evelyn Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 36, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. decent 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
29 upvotes
Jordan Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Everly A.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Declan
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Sadie Martin
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
13 upvotes
Jose Thomas
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 13 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same 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. education 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Josiah Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Parker Torres
Moved here from Baltimore about 7 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cost of living but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..