Curious what people think. I'm single, late 50s, and It's a a small town city with about 14,176 people. You can expect to pay around $1,892 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? Appreciate any input.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Aaron Jimenez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Angel G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Daniel M.
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 14 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts 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 tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Cooper Ramos
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Everly Hernandez
this is the way
17 upvotes
Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Greyson Morgan
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Dallas it's solid.
12 upvotes
Gianna
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 7 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are better than expected. 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 high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Roman H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Jason W.
I work in hospitality here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Emmett Cox
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Waylon Carter
I work in retail here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
All Countries
