I've been here for 7 years and The median home value here is around $322,000, which seems about average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
6 upvotes
29 Replies
Wyatt A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
40 upvotes
Skylar Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Ruby Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Zoe J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 7 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Westside schools are surprisingly good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Jameson Hall
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Liam Gomez
interesting, hadn't considered that
32 upvotes
Jace Mendoza
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
Adeline Hill
seconding this
30 upvotes
Jack Kelly
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
29 upvotes
Alexander Thomas
been saying this for years
27 upvotes
Camila B.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Karen P.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
24 upvotes
Violet R.
I've lived in East for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Sadie M.
interesting, hadn't considered that
20 upvotes
born_aubrey41
+1
16 upvotes
local_hudson2
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Valentina Torres
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Emmett W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Austin about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Eleanor Murphy
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 retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails 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 hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Greyson Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in West and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Tampa, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Julia Johnson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Ava Thomas
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Aubrey
facts
4 upvotes
Roman W.
glad someone said it
4 upvotes
Savannah Foster
honestly same experience here
1 upvotes
Lucas M.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
1 upvotes
Ruby Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
