So, My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $969 for rent here. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
9 upvotes
10 Replies
Cora Long
facts
35 upvotes
Mateo King
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
Caleb M.
facts
24 upvotes
brooklyn_papa
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Liam K.
yeah no that's not right
15 upvotes
Savannah C.
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 outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
- The food scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Axel
I'm a software engineer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
portland_allison
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Carol R.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by traffic. 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 weather scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Maverick
I've lived in Springfield for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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