Livability Score

84
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities B

There are some amenities close to this location.
Coffee (1) F
Blue Max Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
La Borra
Coffee Shop
Wise Cup
Coffee Shop
Cafe Descrates
Coffee Shop
Kribi Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Live Fresco
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Fairgrounds
Coffee Shop
Live Cafe
Coffee Shop
Whirlwind Coffee Company
Coffee Shop
Taste of Brazil Cafe
Coffee Shop
Gina's Italian Ice
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Friendly Coffee Lounge
Coffee Shop
I Due Mondi
Coffee Shop
The Happy Apple Pie Shop
Coffee Shop
Buzz Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Eastgate Café
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
PTCI
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (1) C-
Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum
Museum
Circle Bowl
Bowling Alley
Lake Theater
Cinema
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Museum
Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center
Museum
Maywood Fine Arts
Theatre Arts
Maywood Fine Arts
Theatre Arts
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace
Attraction
Scoville Park Outdoor Stage
Theatre Arts
Ernest Hemmingway Foundation
Museum
Hemingway Museum
Museum
Madison Street Theatre
Theatre Arts
16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame Museum
Museum
Cinemark Melrose Park
Cinema
Wonder Works Children's Museum
Museum
Oak Park River Forest Museum
Museum
The Wire
Nightclub
Fitzgerald's
Nightclub
The Music Garden
Theatre Arts
The Actors Garden
Theatre Arts
Striker Lanes
Bowling Alley
AMC Showplace Galewood 14
Cinema
Gold Room Chicago
Nightclub
Classic Cinemas North Riverside Luxury 6 Theatre
Cinema
Knute Rockne Field
Stadium
Food and Drink (3) C+
Panera Bread
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Mickey's
Fast Food
Alioto's Gift Shop
Fast Food
Peterson's Ice Cream
Fast Food
The Beacon
Bar
Goldyburger's
Bar
Boston Market
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Chipotle
Fast Food
The Pioneer
Bar
Submarine Tender
Fast Food
Dunkin'
Fast Food
Potbelly
Fast Food
Fire Cakes
Fast Food
Boss Burrito
Fast Food
Beer Shop
Bar
Johnnie's Beef
Fast Food
Panera Bread
Fast Food
Famous Liquors
Alcohol
Exit Strategy Brewing
Bar
Binny's Beverage Depot
Alcohol
McDonald's
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Fitness (0) F
Midtown Athletic Club
Gym
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
Howard Mohr Community Center
Community Centre
CorePower Yoga
Gym
Anderson Park Center
Community Centre
Longfellow Center
Community Centre
Planet Fitness
Gym
Planet Fitness
Gym
Sankofa Center at AAABNA
Community Centre
X-Sport Fitness
Gym
Charter Fitness
Gym
By The Hand Club for Kids
Community Centre
Planet Fitness
Gym
The Peace Corner Youth Center
Community Centre
BUILD
Community Centre
Planet Fitness
Gym
Austin Satellite Senior Center
Community Centre
The Miracle Center
Community Centre
Groceries (3) C-
Jewel-Osco
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
Whole Foods Market
Grocery Store
The Sugar Fixe
Bakery
Fresh Thyme
Grocery Store
Alpine Food Shop
Grocery Store
Silverland Bakery
Bakery
The Great American Bagel
Bakery
Kay's Bakery
Bakery
Jewel-Osco
Grocery Store
Sugar Beet Co-op
Grocery Store
Ed's Way
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Carnicerias Jimenez Fresh Market
Grocery Store
Pete's Fresh Market
Grocery Store
Torres Supermercado
Grocery Store
Jewel-Osco
Grocery Store
Carnival Grocery
Grocery Store
Eat Me Sweetheart Bakery
Bakery
Reuter’s Bakery
Bakery
Angelo Caputo's Fresh Market
Grocery Store
Kolatek’s Bakery & Deli
Bakery
El Rincon Del Sabor
Bakery
Living Fresh Market
Grocery Store
Jewel-Osco
Grocery Store
Parks (33) A+
Forest & Augusta Triangle Park
Park
Centennial Park
Park
Swing
Playground
Memorial Parkway
Park
Trailside Museum
Park
Keystone Park
Park
Quad
Park
Memorial Parkway
Park
Keystone Park
Park
Willard Elementary School Playground
Playground
Memorial Parkway
Park
The Triangle
Park
Constitution Park
Park
Thatcher Woods Pavilion
Park
Grotto
Park
Cummings Square
Park
Priory Park Playground
Playground
Washington Commons Park Playground
Playground
Washington Commons Park
Park
Priory Park
Park
Washington Triangle Park
Park
Washington Square Park
Park
Remembrance Park Playground
Playground
Remembrance Park
Park
Austin Gardens Park
Park
Shops (13) A-
Mobil Mart
Convenience Store
LensCrafters
Optician
BP Shop
Convenience Store
Chico's
Clothing
The Children's Place
Clothing
Olson's Ace Hardware
Home Improvement
Loft
Clothing
DSW
Shoes
PetSmart
Pets
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Verizon
Electronics
Element Multisport
Bicycle
Gap
Clothing
Ulta Beauty
Beauty
AT&T
Electronics
Men's Wearhouse
Clothing
T-Mobile
Electronics
Citgo
Convenience Store
Old Navy
Clothing
Target
Department Store
Wheel & Sprocket
Bicycle
Leo's
Clothing
Citgo
Convenience Store
Marathon
Convenience Store
The Book Table
Books
See more River Forest amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 22.1% take public transportation in River Forest.
Public Transit Stops (22)
Stops & Stations
A+
Lake & Lathrop
Bus Stop
Lake & Lathrop
Bus Stop
Lake & Thatcher WB
Bus Stop
Lake & Thatcher EB
Bus Stop
River Forest
Transit Station
Harlem & Chicago SB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Iowa
Bus Stop
Harlem & Schneider
Bus Stop
Harlem & Chicago NB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Oak
Bus Stop
Harlem & Augusta SB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Superior
Bus Stop
Harlem & Augusta NB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Ontario
Bus Stop
Harlem & Thomas SB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Thomas NB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Quick
Bus Stop
Lake & Harlem
Bus Stop
Harlem & Lake SB
Bus Stop
Lake & Harlem
Bus Stop
Harlem & Division NB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Lake NB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Division SB
Bus Stop
Harlem & Lake
Bus Stop
Lake & 1st Avenue WB
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
22.1%
A+
See more River Forest commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in River Forest is 154/100 - which is 60% higher than Illinois.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
D+
See more River Forest cost of living data

crime A+

River Forest crime rates are 1,543 per 100k, which is 22% lower than Illinois
Property Crime
1,491 crimes per 100k
B-
Violent Crime
53 crimes per 100k
A+
See more River Forest crime data

employment A+

The median income in River Forest is $125,288 - which is 112% higher than Illinois.
Med. Household Income
$125,288
A+
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
A-
See more River Forest employment data

health C+

There are some hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (6)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
River Forest Police Department
Police
River Forest Fire Department
Fire Station
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Reynolds Cosmetic Dental
Dentist
Oak Park Pediatrics
Doctor
Bryan C Schultz Dermatology
Doctor
Fresenius Kidney Care
Clinic
Walgreens
Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Loyola Center for Health
Clinic
Maywood Police Deptartment
Police
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Forest Park Police Department
Police
Forest Park Fire Department
Fire Station
Medical Arts Building
Doctor
Rush Oak Park Hospital
Hospital
Immediate Care of Oak Park
Clinic
West Suburban Dental Center
Dentist
Sear's Pharmacy
Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Cook County Sheriff's Police
Police
Oak Park Fire Department Station #1
Fire Station
Westlake Hospital
Hospital
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital
Hospital
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
F
See more River Forest health & safety data

housing A-

River Forest home prices are $604,900 - which is 246% higher than Illinois
Home Price
$604,900
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
5%
B
Home Affordability
4.8x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more River Forest housing data

schools A+

The River Forest graduation rate is 96% - which is 13% higher than Illinois
School Test Scores
67%
C+
High School Grad. Rates
96%
A+
Elementary Schools (8) A+
Roosevelt School
Lincoln Elem School
St Luke Parish School
Mosaic Montessori Academy
Willard Elem School
Grace Lutheran School
St Vincent Ferrer Elementary School
Grant-White Elem School
Keystone Montessori School
Montessori Language Academy
Oliver W Holmes Elem School
Horace Mann Elem School
Emerson Elem School
Maywood Margery Daw Day Care
Lincoln Elem School
Alcuin Montessori School
Garfield Elem School
Jane Addams Elem School
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
Sayre Elem Language Academy
Washington Dual Language Academy
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Field Stevenson Elem School
Forest Park Middle School
Melrose Park Elem School
High Schools (0) F
Trinity High School
Proviso East High School
Oak Park & River Forest High Sch
Alop Academic Learning Program
Fenwick High School
Word Of God Christian Academy
Elmwood Park High School
Proviso Area Except Child Center
Paec Alternative High School
Proviso Thsd 209 Dream School
Proviso Math And Science Academy
Douglass Academy High School
Austin College And Career Acad Hs
Austin Career Education Center
Yccs-Austin Career Ed Cntr Hs
Steinmetz College Prep Hs
Prosser Career Academy Hs
Noble St Chtr-Itw Speer Acad
J Sterling Morton West High Sch
Banner West Academy Hs
Yccs-Westside Holistic Ldr Acad
Clark Acad Prep Magnet High Schl
See more River Forest education data

ratings A+

River Forest has an overall rating of 99% from 3 reviews.
User Reviews (2)
From AreaVibes
A+
User Surveys (1)
From AreaVibes
A+
See more River Forest user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of River Forest, IL
( 3 Ratings )

Living in River Forest, IL

River Forest Area Facts

  • River Forest has a Livability Score of 84/100, which is considered exceptional
  • River Forest crime rates are 22% lower than the Illinois average
  • Cost of living in River Forest is 60% higher than the Illinois average
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River Forest Reviews

Write a review about River Forest Tell people what you like or don't like about River Forest…
Safe, Vibrant Community 5 rating By Anonymous ( Sep 11, 2018) Lived here for twenty plus years--what a terrific place to raise a family! We moved here for the excellent schools, which are rated as some of the best in Illinois. Taxes are high, but you get what you pay for: safe, quiet, comfortable, beautiful homes, nice neighbors. It real ...Read More ly is the best of both worlds--a short commute from everything Chicago and environs has to offer, yet has a small town feel. I never once worried about my daughter walking from a friends house, even at night. There is a rich heritage--Native Americans had a meeting place on what is now the corner of Lake and Thatcher roads, and the nearby Des Plaines River was a rich source of sustenance for both natives and early settlers, who built many grand homes here, many of which still exist, lovingly maintained. The neighboring towns of Oak Park and Forest Park are rife with dining and cultural venues; Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio is a cultural icon in Oak Park, as are many of the homes and buildings there. Transportation to downtown is easily accessible via the Metra, two el lines, or the expressway. The schools are excellent--expectations are high. Parks are awesome and abundant. The median income in River Forest is well above the national average, and there is a palpable sense of caring and community. If shopping is your thing, Oakbrook Mall is a short ride away, and downtown Oak Park has many shops and galleries, as well as entertainment (classic Art Deco movie theatre, Shakespeare in the Park!) and just about any kind of cuisine you could hope for, nom nom nom. Proud to call myself a River Forest resident! Read Less
River Forest, IL- City Review 5 rating By Anonymous ( May 23, 2018) I’ve lived in River Forest, IL City and had the most incredible experience. The city location is near the western limit of Chicago. The area is so beautiful, although the cost of living and property taxes might be high, there is many job opportunities, diverse restaurant, elega ...Read More nt houses, safe place for families with few crimes and very many friendly neighbours around. The city is welcoming, with a fascinating atmosphere.

If you are searching for a place with the most advanced education, then Rain Forest should probably be your number one choice. The quality of education is high in schools like St Luke and Fenwick high school and with an extraordinarily outstanding environment.

The best areas to visit is the excellent parks, historical places like the Oak Park. These areas provide a perfect place for your weekend gateway. The city has available small shops and other amenities. The city resident, most of them, live a luxurious lifestyle. If you are looking for a town with a competitive educational system and friendly people, then River Forest is the best choice. Read Less
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River Forest Awards

Compare River Forest, IL Livability

      vs

      B Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in River Forest? Yes, there are some amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Forest & Augusta Triangle Park
      Centennial Park
      Swing
      Memorial Parkway
      Trailside Museum
      Keystone Park
      Quad
      Memorial Parkway

      Entertainment

      Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum
      Circle Bowl
      Lake Theater
      Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
      Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center
      Maywood Fine Arts
      Maywood Fine Arts
      Ernest Hemingway Birthplace

      Food & Drink

      Panera Bread
      McDonald's
      Mickey's
      Alioto's Gift Shop
      Peterson's Ice Cream
      The Beacon
      Goldyburger's
      Boston Market

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in River Forest? Of all people who commute, 22.1% take public transportation in River Forest.
      Drive to Work
      51%

      25% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      22%

      17% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      6%

      3% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is River Forest a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy

      Doctors