My partner and I are Median household income is $53,393, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $160,300 on average. Poverty rate is 19.5%, which is higher than I expected. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
kc_valentina
noted, appreciate it
37 upvotes
Thomas Wilson
yeah no that's not right
27 upvotes
Catherine P.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Bennett Evans
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Brooks Myers
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Santiago Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Grace Chavez
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Thomas Young
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 14 years. Moved from Houston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 hit or miss. 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. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
David Parker
great question, following
5 upvotes
Christian Baker
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much developing but now it's average.
5 upvotes
Emily Rodriguez
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Miles Nguyen
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 5 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Oak Park 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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