Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $383,900, which seems about average. Median household income is $78,513, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $383,900 on average. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Is this normal for Chillum? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
21 upvotes
14 Replies
Valentina Moore
yep
39 upvotes
Jacob Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 50, moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Abigail Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Axel Cook
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Amelia Moore
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The community vibe is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Easton T.
I'm a nurse and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
David M.
following this thread
19 upvotes
Julian Turner
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Maple Ridge area are decent. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Austin Ramirez
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
18 upvotes
Adrian Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 44, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Sunset and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
17 upvotes
Madelyn Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 40, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
15 upvotes
Brielle C.
Moved here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to community vibe but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..