Curious what people think. Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a mid-size city city with about 102K people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thanks for reading.
0 upvotes
27 Replies
river_waylon8
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
Natalie Jimenez
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Olivia
hmm interesting perspective
35 upvotes
Silas R.
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
tucsonfan2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Joseph Price
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
Henry Phillips
seconding this
30 upvotes
declan_walker
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
25 upvotes
Madelyn W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Jace Rodriguez
seconding this
25 upvotes
Philip C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (The Heights) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
24 upvotes
Elena Lewis
+1
23 upvotes
Kai P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is underrated in most areas.
22 upvotes
Xavier
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
philly_rylee
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 New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Oak Park 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
James
Used to live on the South side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
14 upvotes
happy_angel67
Totally agree!
14 upvotes
Clara Smith
I've lived in Uptown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Piper Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 36, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Pine Hills and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
10 upvotes
Caleb Gomez
facts
8 upvotes
Addison Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Owen G.
Saving this thread
7 upvotes
Natalie Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 55, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
5 upvotes
coastal_piper98
great question, following
5 upvotes
jaxon_heart
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Eli Baker
wish I knew this sooner
3 upvotes
Lydia
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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