Hey folks, Median household income is $51,513, which feels on the lower side for the area. You can expect to pay around $907 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 22.9%, which is higher than I expected. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Anyone in a similar situation? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to.
10 upvotes
27 Replies
Lillian Bailey
Moved here from New York about 12 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to school system but No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Kyle P.
thanks for sharing
39 upvotes
lake_ethan9
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. tech 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Jose P.
spot on
37 upvotes
Nathan Gutierrez
spot on
34 upvotes
Maya Young
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
philly_rylee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
33 upvotes
Sofia Rodriguez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Leah Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Highland schools are decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
tucsonguy2023
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
Easton C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Caleb Myers
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
gabriel_life
underrated comment
25 upvotes
desert_landon17
couldn't agree more
24 upvotes
Vivian A.
I've lived in Midtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The dating scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Lydia A.
interesting, hadn't considered that
16 upvotes
Debra S.
underrated comment
15 upvotes
Vivian M.
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Aubrey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
retail is strong here. hospitality 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Bella
same here
13 upvotes
Connor W.
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
Bella White
glad someone said it
12 upvotes
Everly Diaz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Boston it's pretty good.
5 upvotes
Elizabeth H.
I work in healthcare here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Jayden Moore
facts
2 upvotes
Sadie Garcia
I've lived in Oak Park for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Emilia F.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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