Hey folks, It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Thoughts? Cheers. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
23 upvotes
14 Replies
Elena
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
37 upvotes
Leo C.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Emma M.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The job market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Eliana Morales
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Willow Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
31 upvotes
Hunter M.
this is the way
30 upvotes
Jordan Nelson
same here
28 upvotes
Lillian Foster
Bought a house here in 2017 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Grayson Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Waylon D.
+1
13 upvotes
Stella Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in North and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
10 upvotes
Evan Sanchez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Korean places. I love the pace of life here.
6 upvotes
atlwalker2021
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much wild but now it's hit or miss.
3 upvotes
Amelia R.
I work in marketing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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