Longtime lurker here, Poverty rate is 7.6%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $454,600 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
23 upvotes
12 Replies
Jordan D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
oaklandwalker2024
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
35 upvotes
Nancy K.
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Gianna Johnson
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
Zoey Taylor
I've lived in Greenfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
native_kayden55
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
philly_arianna
I work in government here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Isaiah C.
I've lived in West for about 3 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 Seattle, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Axel Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Mackenzie F.
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
Jace
preach
1 upvotes
Nevaeh Sanders
I've lived in Old Town for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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