Hey everyone, The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. What are your go-to spots? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Santiago N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Wesley N.
hmm interesting perspective
37 upvotes
Paisley Howard
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Benjamin
I work in manufacturing here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Abigail
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Nevaeh
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Thai places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
22 upvotes
logan_walker
facts
17 upvotes
Aubrey W.
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Aubrey M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 1 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Fairview schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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