So, Household incomes average around $57,479 in Chicago Heights. What do you all think? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
11 upvotes
26 Replies
Joseph Hall
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Jace Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Levi Young
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
36 upvotes
Gianna
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Maple Ridge area are improving. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Jordan W.
This.
32 upvotes
Aurora Sanders
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
Sofia Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
31 upvotes
Miles Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
29 upvotes
Anna Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Isabella W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Isaac G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Adrian Gray
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Highland area are challenging. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Nicholas Bailey
exactly what I was thinking
18 upvotes
Nevaeh
bump
12 upvotes
Elijah Smith
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
11 upvotes
lagirl2025
Moved here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to food scene but Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
orlando_gabriella
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Carson Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 37, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in West and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
7 upvotes
raised_joshua60
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
fresnogirl2024
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Albert F.
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is improving. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Maverick W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
2 upvotes
seattle_aria
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Tampa about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Aurora
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Katherine
same here
1 upvotes
Emilia W.
I'm a contractor and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
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