Hi all, Military spouse here. Median household income is $78,513, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. Household incomes average around $78,513 in Chillum. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Does this match your experience? Any help is appreciated. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
21 upvotes
22 Replies
Ruby J.
facts
39 upvotes
Arianna E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Paisley Thomas
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Brooklyn J.
+1
32 upvotes
Anna R.
+1
32 upvotes
Mark A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 40, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. underrated 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
31 upvotes
Julian Watson
glad someone said it
31 upvotes
Maya Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Luna Chavez
this is the way
23 upvotes
Brielle Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Isabella Collins
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
Elena Smith
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Hudson
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
Adrian Moore
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
20 upvotes
Caroline Bailey
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cultural scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Dominic Reed
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much stable but now it's pretty good.
18 upvotes
Sofia Murphy
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Caleb Torres
Moved here from Houston about 11 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to weather but No regrets on my end..
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