Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $147,800, which is actually reasonable. It's a a smaller city city with about 30,772 people. With a population of 30,772, North Chicago is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -North Chicago sits at 439.5 per 100K. Poverty rate is 17.8%, which is higher than I expected. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
7 upvotes
8 Replies
Henry Walker
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Emma Thompson
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Aiden Wright
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is average in most areas.
33 upvotes
Paul S.
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 15 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches 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 surprisingly good. 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. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Isaac Mendoza
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
nashville_isabelle
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Josiah R.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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