My partner and I are Average temperature is around 75--F, so it's warm year-round. It's a a small town city with about 12,907 people. Rent is about $1,307/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Any help is appreciated. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Aiden Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 2 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Autumn Turner
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Sebastian White
Moved here from Atlanta about 7 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to school system but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Skylar Ortiz
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
30 upvotes
Jose Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Dallas about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Scarlett P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Tampa about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Genesis W.
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Kai M.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
Abigail
same here
19 upvotes
Adam D.
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 2 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
I'm a lawyer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Anna Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
6 upvotes
Eva Thomas
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
6 upvotes
Susan E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 58, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Fairview and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
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