Military spouse here. With a population of 1,334, Sullivan Gardens is a small town. Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $43,574, which feels on the lower side for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
urban_maverick83
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Lori P.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Kayden Nelson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
35 upvotes
Mia Smith
Totally agree!
33 upvotes
desert_ian68
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Asher Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is decent in most areas.
30 upvotes
Chloe W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Nevaeh
I've lived in Oak Park for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Lily
I work in retail here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is tough. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Everly Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Scott P.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Wesley Wright
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
7 upvotes
Harold C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 58, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Springfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Miami, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
3 upvotes
Elena M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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