Thinking about relocating to Suffolk from St. Louis
Not sure if this has been asked before, but I work in tech and Median household income is $90,089, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $329,600 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? Cheers. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
16 upvotes
23 Replies
Julian Cook
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's solid.
38 upvotes
Grace C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are solid. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Mason R.
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
James P.
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 15 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts 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 excellent. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Sofia Phillips
hmm interesting perspective
29 upvotes
Brooklyn Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 50, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Pine Hills and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
27 upvotes
Austin Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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
Sebastian Rivera
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Chicago about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Jose C.
100%
22 upvotes
Isaac C.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Kaylee Castillo
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Samuel Scott
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Emmett Lewis
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Alexa Castillo
lol so true
15 upvotes
Audrey Bennett
I work in marketing here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is improving. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Isabella Rodriguez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Salt Lake City it's decent.
13 upvotes
Isaac White
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Lakewood area are underrated. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Charlotte Bailey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Luke S.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
11 upvotes
Zoe
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
9 upvotes
Jacob S.
thanks for sharing
7 upvotes
Wyatt
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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