Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2021. Median household income is $55,641, which feels about average for the area. It's a a small town city with about 13,578 people. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $232,800, which is actually reasonable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Let me know your thoughts. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Elizabeth Davis
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
38 upvotes
Genesis Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Ellie Reyes
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Hannah W.
glad someone said it
31 upvotes
Nora Green
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 3 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. tech 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Matthew Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 35, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Old Town and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
26 upvotes
Jose Davis
glad someone said it
26 upvotes
Camila Rogers
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
21 upvotes
Roy R.
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Eugene R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Rylee H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 25, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
12 upvotes
Silas B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 5 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing 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 decent - 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. Maple Ridge schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Adam Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Ella Phillips
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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