Longtime lurker here, Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
17 upvotes
19 Replies
Olivia H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Maverick Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Miami about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
loving_jameson94
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Axel Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
28 upvotes
Sarah Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 10 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited shopping options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
David
great question, following
25 upvotes
Camila Rivera
haha yep pretty much
20 upvotes
Connor Ward
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Charlotte it's surprisingly good.
19 upvotes
Easton C.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
ezra_dude
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 1 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains 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 excellent. 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 high-paying job options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Brielle Diaz
I work in hospitality here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Jace Thomas
yep
13 upvotes
Olivia Gonzalez
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Kennedy Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty 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. Highland 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
John M.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Wesley Martin
hard disagree but ok
8 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
exactly what I was thinking
6 upvotes
Christian Harris
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Oak Park area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Asian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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