You can expect to pay around $1,184 for rent here. Average temperature is around 51°F, so expect cold winters. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
45 upvotes
22 Replies
angel_chef
I've lived in The Heights for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The job market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Connor H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
40 upvotes
Nevaeh Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Eastside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Raleigh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Logan Wright
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
37 upvotes
John S.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Daniel James
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Audrey J.
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 4 years. Moved from New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. real estate 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Gabriella M.
accurate
30 upvotes
Nathan Anderson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Cameron Stewart
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Cheryl R.
I'm a social worker and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is average and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Elena G.
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Russell W.
Totally agree!
22 upvotes
Autumn
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
born_rylee41
Moved here from Boston about 12 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to walkability but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Piper P.
following this thread
11 upvotes
Alice Harris
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Jacob M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Evelyn J.
not my experience at all
4 upvotes
Cora Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Alexander Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
3 upvotes
Amelia Cruz
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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