Not sure if this has been asked before, but Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $130,600 on average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 126K people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Anyone in a similar situation? The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
14 upvotes
9 Replies
Brooks Rogers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to San Diego it's average.
37 upvotes
Roman Cook
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Arianna Cook
underrated comment
35 upvotes
nashvilleheart2021
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Dallas about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Willie R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**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 manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 average. 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 shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Noah G.
wish I knew this sooner
14 upvotes
Ethan Garcia
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 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. 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 significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 underrated. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Scarlett R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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