First post here. I relocated for work and Median household income is $72,322, which feels about average for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
24 upvotes
12 Replies
Emma Patel
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.
39 upvotes
Arianna Carter
it depends on the neighborhood
37 upvotes
cool_cora80
yep
37 upvotes
Violet Hall
Moved here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cost of living but Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Jacob Baker
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Greenfield area are underrated. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Jeremiah Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 28, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
30 upvotes
wild_asher45
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Pittsburgh it's solid.
30 upvotes
Zoey James
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Olivia Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate 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:**
the quality of life is solid. 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. Westside 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Aiden Garcia
I'm a sales manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
indykid2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Houston 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 Pine Hills. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Emilia Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte 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 North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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