Hey everyone, Just moved here 14 months ago and With a population of 87,307, Troy is a smaller city. It's a a smaller city city with about 87,307 people. The weather takes some getting used to.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Aurora Wood
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 8 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes 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 surprisingly 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
I'm a project manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
37 upvotes
Emily Morgan
been saying this for years
32 upvotes
Bella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Fairview) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
30 upvotes
Evan L.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
30 upvotes
Paisley Williams
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Christian Bennett
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The job market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Natalie P.
I'm a electrician and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Evan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Miami about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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