Hello, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 20.9%, which is higher than I expected. Rent is about $1,259/month for a decent place. Median household income is $58,708, which feels about average for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Let me know your thoughts. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Jayden Campbell
I work in government here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Thomas Lee
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to San Francisco it's tough.
35 upvotes
Deborah R.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
30 upvotes
Roman Scott
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
26 upvotes
Victoria R.
bump
18 upvotes
Lori E.
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Emilia Jimenez
wish I knew this sooner
4 upvotes
columbus_aaron
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 12 years. Moved from San Diego 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 down slightly 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:**
retail is strong here. education 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Oak Park 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Alice K.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The food scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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