Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 35,253, Calumet City is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
10 Replies
Naomi
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Joseph Gomez
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Uptown area are improving. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Brielle Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Willow P.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
Melanie Chavez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
24 upvotes
Sofia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 3 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. 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 up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Midtown 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Sofia T.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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