Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider — Thousand Oaks sits at 68.9 per 100K. Poverty rate is 4.6%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. What do you all think?
37 upvotes
9 Replies
Benjamin Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Ryan Brooks
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 14 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails 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 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. Limited public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Ariana
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Audrey A.
seconding this
27 upvotes
Christian Chavez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 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:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. South 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. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Ezra Anderson
interesting, hadn't considered that
18 upvotes
Anna Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
17 upvotes
Zoey
Used to live on the North side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Nolan R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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