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Only seven miles west of the Chicago Loop sits Oak Park, a historic village where Frank Lloyd Wright spent the first 20 years of his career, and where Ernest Hemingway once lived. In addition to being famous for its Wright-influenced architecture, the village of 52,000 residents is known for its great schools.
An astounding amount of Oak Park residents—over 66 percent—have four-year degrees or higher. An affluent neighborhood with a per capita income of over $47,000, Education and health services are the top two industries. Oak Park shares a symphony and a high school (Oak Park and River Forest High School) with its neighbor, River Forest, while the village’s only other high school is Fenwick . In total, there are 12 public schools in Oak Park and 13 private schools. In the public schools, the student-teacher ratio is 15:1, which accounts for the village’s high reputation for education.
Oak Park is known for its nice apartment complexes and cul-de-sac-filled suburbs. Though Chicago’s urban culture has a slight influence on the community, the village vibe is peaceful and family-friendly. An expansive public transit network supports Oak Park commuters, but owning a car is the norm. blue and green lines provide easy access to and from Chicago. With bike paths, bike clubs and bike-sharing initiatives in place, Oak Park is considered to be very bike-friendly.
Residents looking to enjoy a traditional night out can head to dinner, a play or a movie in town, while those eager to party all night can always escape to Chicago for thrills. Oak Park’s active arts community is centered around Harrison Street, which is lined with boutique galleries, shops and restaurants. Families enjoy the farmers’ market on Saturdays, and residents and tourists alike explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic creations.