First post here. My family moved here when I was a kid. Median household income is $81,427, which feels pretty solid for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Is this normal for Chalco?
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Kai P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Portland it's excellent.
39 upvotes
jaxwalker2024
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Ethan L.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Everly L.
big facts right here
31 upvotes
Luna W.
great question, following
26 upvotes
Miles Bailey
same here
24 upvotes
Weston Reed
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
21 upvotes
Natalie Rodriguez
hard disagree but ok
18 upvotes
Greyson T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Tampa about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Nathan L.
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Gabriella Ramos
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The walkability is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
peyton_local
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
17 upvotes
Willow C.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Xavier Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Nicholas Roberts
Bought a house here in 2024 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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