Hi all, I'm retired and Rent is about $2,613/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $592,700 on average. Household incomes average around $171,045 in West Islip. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Am I overthinking this? Appreciate any input. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
23 upvotes
27 Replies
Lily
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Jayden
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The dating scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
boston_kennedy
interesting, hadn't considered that
27 upvotes
Valentina
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Dallas it's average.
25 upvotes
jaxlife2026
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 Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. finance 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 challenging - 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 average. 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Kaylee L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 4 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 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:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes 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 pretty 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
phoenix_lillian
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Meadowbrook area are decent. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Declan Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from Houston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, 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
Arianna Allen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Valentina Morales
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Christine G.
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Eva Carter
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
18 upvotes
Reagan Patel
haha yep pretty much
17 upvotes
Josiah Brown
I've lived in Riverside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Chicago, 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
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The walkability scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Oliver
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Matthew
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
16 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
This.
11 upvotes
Dylan M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Gianna Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami 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 Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Ellie Roberts
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Old Town area are improving. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Timothy E.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
urban_alice55
same here
8 upvotes
Lucas King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 12 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Downtown schools are underrated. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Gabriel L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 11 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
5 upvotes
Arianna Campbell
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
0 upvotes
Levi Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Miami about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes
Aurora Gray
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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