What is Oak Park like?

[mstengle]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Work downtown, swing by State Street or the Mag Mile, and take the "L" or Metra home. That's how most Oak Parkers I know shop after work. If you want to drive to a mall, I don't think ANY suburbs within 15 miles of Chicago are convenient at 6 pm.

Now you got it!!! and I don't work downtown.

[lifelongchicagoland]

Originally Posted by adele115

As an Oak Park resident, I really consider Oak Park (hip-urban), River Forest (stately, serene), and downtown Forest Park (smokin'!)to be "my area", as all three offer a pallate of options.

Now to Oak Park:
For demographics, etc., the city-data link will give you that info. Anecdotally, as a resident, here's my humble opinion:
Demographics:
diverse

Safety:
yes, like a city neighborhood, one must be aware of surroundings. Crime is a factor, mostly property stuff. This is an ongoing issue that we all contend with - I am bothered by the crime issues in Oak Park, others seem less bothered. I have a dog...

Economics:
The village is in the same situation as the country; budget issues. Read Wednesday Journal for updates. Taxes are high.

Employment:
Downtown Chicago is really the hub of employment, then corporate malls like Oak Brook. Oak Park has small businesses, etc. People travel all over to go to work. Major transit in CTA, Metra, expressways, etc. You can commute to most areas for work.

Schools: very good, very diverse, very active parents, lots of extras, can't go wrong.

Compared to other affluent burbs: Oak Park rules! Most similar to Evanston in the "urban suburban" feel. Really good restaurants, cool arts district, Marion mall is beautiful. Oak Park is a quicker trip downtown (8-10 minute drive non rush from Austin/Ike). As to the other suburbs, there's really no comparison, but rather personal tastes. Lake Forest, Winnetka, etc., have a slower beat, are certainly beautiful communities, but less vibrant IMHO.

In sum:

What I like:

GREAT architecture (no tear downs allowed, so great old arts/crafts homes), diverse, educated population, liberal bent, neighboring downtown Forest Park and River Forest, proximity to downtown Chicago.

What I dislike:

Scumbags breaking into garages to steal leafblowers , spillover crime from Austin, high taxes , Harlem Avenue traffic , and village government always in controversy .

You nailed it

[Alter123]

What kind of shopping do you want to do at 6 PM on a week day that OP is so difficult to navigate or navigate from? We have Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Dominicks, Jewel's, in OP or at the RF/OP boundary.

If you want to shopping for clothing or electronics or books, there are options pretty close as well (Best Buy on Harlems, loads of bookstores on Lake, the clothing stores at Brickyard or North Riverside).

I don't understand the bellyaching.