Curious what people think. I'm originally from Miami and Homes are going for about $417,700 on average. Worth the trade-offs? Cheers.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Jonathan Cooper
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Ariana Parker
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Caleb C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Serenity Rodriguez
I'm a teacher and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Eleanor L.
haha yep pretty much
27 upvotes
Leah Baker
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
26 upvotes
Willow Moore
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Melanie Mendoza
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Amelia T.
following this thread
16 upvotes
Aiden Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 51, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
14 upvotes
Emily Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Westside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
10 upvotes
Jonathan Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 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:**
consulting is strong here. government 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - 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. East 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. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Nolan Flores
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 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts 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 improving. 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. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Isaac C.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
All Countries
