Hey, I'm single, late 30s, and With a population of 35,253, Calumet City is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Alice K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Allison Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Alexa Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Willow Moore
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
33 upvotes
Genesis Thomas
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Jacob Wood
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
David Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Madeline
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Logan Davis
Used to live on the West side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
16 upvotes
Benjamin Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Genesis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Nova
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 43, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Uptown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Charlotte, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
9 upvotes
Emily Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Matthew Cooper
Used to live on the South side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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