Anyone relocating or planning a move to Chicago faces a daunting task: deciding where to live in a metroplex with a bustling city and more than 200 suburbs. Amid the many options, the Village of Oak Park remains a standout. In 2025, moveBuddha ranked it as one of the best suburbs in the nation for relocations.
Oak Park is well-situated, just 10 miles directly west of the Chicago Loop. European settlers arrived in 1835, and the railroad’s arrival spurred growth 13 years later. Today, its 50,000 residents enjoy a welcome balance between city access and close-in suburban charm.
7 reasons to move to Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park’s official website asserts that the community offers “one of the region’s most diverse mixes of cultures, races, ethnicities, professions, lifestyles, religions, ages, and housing stock.” It is also one of the more community-oriented and culturally vibrant places in Greater Chicago.
Here are some key reasons to consider a move to Oak Park:
1. Inspired residential architecture
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright settled in Oak Park in 1889 and lived there for two decades. His home and studio are now a museum. Examples of his Prairie School of architecture abound. There are 25 designs by the world-renowned architect, making it the highest concentration of Wright residences in the world. Another Prairie School masterpiece, the 30-room Pleasant Home, is the work of George W. Maher.
You’ll also find examples of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival architecture. Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park in a Queen Anne home at 339 N. Oak Park Avenue. The home is now a museum focused on his early years. It was the first residence in the Village with electricity.
Historic preservation is a key mission of the Village. Three historic districts cover a third of Oak Park: Frank Lloyd Wright, Ridgeland/Oak Park, and Gunderson. The Gunderson Historic District includes more than 200 residences constructed more than a century ago.
2. Close-knit neighborhood vibes
Walkscore.com also gives Oak Park a high walkability score. Redfin goes a step further, ranking it the most walkable municipality in Illinois. The downtown area and the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District are particularly amenable to those seeking to explore on foot.
Oak Park’s stroll-friendly neighborhoods come replete with welcoming, tree-lined streets. In 2015, Morton Arboretum certified Oak Park as Illinois’ first municipal arboretum. There are 130 species represented among the 20,000 trees on public lands alone.
3. Expanded focus on the arts, music, and culture
The Oak Park Arts District offers varied experiences in the arts, music, and culture. There’s performing at The Actors Garden and printmaking at Expressions Studio. Study all things French at L’Institut français d’Oak Park.
Festivals and other events reinforce a sense of community throughout the year. In May, there’s the What’s Blooming Spring Art Festival. Harrison Street comes alive with art vendors, a children’s carnival, music stage, and beer garden. Every fall, Oaktoberfest delivers live music and treats from area restaurants. Children revel in a host of activities found at the Kids’ Root Beer Garden. In mid-December, the Art and Wine Walk features 13 wine tastings and five small bite stations.
Shoppers stroll among the shops and boutiques of Marion Street. The Comedy Plex Comedy Club is an intimate venue featuring national acts and emerging local talent. 4. Connected to the city and beyond
Public transportation and a comprehensive freeway system grant ready access to all that the metroplex offers. Chicago’s Loop is 20-25 minutes away via:
- The CTA Green Line
- Metra– Union Pacific’s West Line
- Eisenhower Expressway (I-290)
Midway Airport is nine miles south of Oak Park, and O’Hare International is 13 miles to the northwest. Depending on the traffic, both are about a half-hour away, with CTA bus and subway options for both.
5. Enriching academic environments
Oak Park Elementary School District 97 includes eight elementary and two middle schools. U.S. News ranks Horace Mann School (K-5) among the top 100 elementary schools in Illinois, placing it in the top 3% nationwide.
Oak Park and River Forest High School ranks among the top 5% in IL and the top 3% nationally. Reviewers cite its amenity-rich campus, AP program quality, and strong athletics. Grace Lutheran and Fenwick High School are parochial schools serving Oak Park students.
6. Recreational opportunities
The Park District of Oak Park maintains 80 acres of green space across 18 parks. Its first land acquisition in 1912 is now Scoville Park, commonly known as the Village Green. In 2025, the park district received a Gold Medal Award for excellence in park management. The Oak Park Conservatory offers Mediterranean, tropical, and desert displays. Its seasonal plant markets are a hit with gardeners and gift-givers alike.
Rehm Pool and Ridgeland Pool operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Paul Hruby Ice Arena operates year-round.
7. Diverse dining experiences
Oak Park’s diversity is further reflected in its expansive dining options. Menus range from innovative to international. There is an eatery to address your every mood and culinary sensibility. Many of the Village’s restaurants are found along Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street.
Citrine Cafe is an OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award winner. Try mouthwatering delights like lamb sausage with tzatziki, Lake Superior whitefish, and squid ink spaghetti. Hemingway’s Bistro serves all-natural meats like Amish free-range chicken. Savor dishes like the Duck a l’Orange, Bouillabaisse, Beef Wellington, or Mussels Marinière.
Mulata Kitchen serves custom blends of Brazilian coffees along with empanadas, gourmet sandwiches, soups, and salads. When it comes to Katy’s Dumplings, accolades abound. The Chinese-style dumplings are not the only draw, as the homemade noodles also delight a devout following. Il Vicolo Trattoria has salad, pizzas, pastas, fish, and beef dishes “influenced by traditional Neapolitan cuisine.”
About Draper and Kramer
Draper and Kramer is a family-owned, full-service real estate firm founded in 1893. D&K manages luxury apartment communities in Illinois, Arizona, Texas, Missouri, and Colorado. You’ll find D&K properties in Chicago neighborhoods like River North, Printer’s Row, and the Gold Coast.
Browse our entire selection of luxury apartment offerings here.
Tree-lined streets and vibrant fall colors capture the charm that makes Oak Park one of Chicagoland’s most desirable suburbs. With historic character, walkable neighborhoods, and easy city access, it offers a compelling blend of urban convenience and community living.
