I'm retired and Poverty rate is 16.0%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a small town city with about 17,515 people. You can expect to pay around $1,443 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Does this match your experience? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
2 upvotes
6 Replies
Declan Cook
I've lived in Oak Park for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- The outdoor recreation scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Eleanor
honestly same experience here
23 upvotes
Ian Clark
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Bella W.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Mateo Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
David Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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