OK so I'm originally from Atlanta and Poverty rate is 13.9%, which is around average. Median household income is $69,389, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. With a population of 14,147, Chicago Ridge is a small town. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Low taxes
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Sprawl everywhere
- High property taxes
Does this match your experience? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Maya Ramirez
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Hailey Hill
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Jace Kim
thanks for sharing
29 upvotes
Emily Gomez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Donna S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Isaiah Campbell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Jacob Foster
I'm a contractor and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Bennett Sanchez
Saving this thread
19 upvotes
Aubrey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. 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:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains 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 underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Nicholas Wright
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
14 upvotes
Adam
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 14 years. Moved from Dallas for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Lucas H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Silas T.
+1
4 upvotes
Hazel Wright
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
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