Curious what people think. We have two kids and With a population of 14,147, Chicago Ridge is a small town. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Is this normal for Chicago Ridge? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
serenity_chef
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
government is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Westside 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. Limited public transit options. Can feel isolated. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Maya Hall
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Jameson Myers
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
33 upvotes
Aaliyah Garcia
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Brielle Allen
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The walkability scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Hailey Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
true_clara64
same here
14 upvotes
miamipapa2023
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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