Random thought, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider -Gurnee sits at 131.2 per 100K. Rent is about $1,594/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $331,100, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Low crime in most areas
- Low taxes
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Not very walkable
- High property taxes
What neighborhoods would you suggest? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Avery Gutierrez
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Valentina Hill
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor recreation is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Doris M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Midtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
32 upvotes
Carter Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 56, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Boston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Sadie Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Isaiah Johnson
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The walkability is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Naomi Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta 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 East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Isabella R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 13 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are hit or miss. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Adrian R.
I work in real estate here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is excellent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Audrey Kim
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Victoria L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Lakewood schools are challenging. 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Owen Watson
literally same
5 upvotes
Wyatt Ward
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Korean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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