Working in Ridge Wood Heights -salaries realistic?
OK so Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $349,900 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Ridge Wood Heights sits at 665.8 per 100K. The median home value here is around $349,900, which seems about average. The unemployment rate is 0.8%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Does this match your experience? The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Naomi L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Jacob Ramos
literally same
34 upvotes
Lillian Gutierrez
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
26 upvotes
Barbara P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Seattle about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Clara S.
wish I knew this sooner
20 upvotes
Evelyn Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 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 2-bed in Oak Park. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Hazel R.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The walkability is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Zoe Hall
glad someone said it
15 upvotes
Eva
literally same
15 upvotes
connor_soul
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
14 upvotes
Brooklyn Adams
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
13 upvotes
Vivian Reyes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
carson_dude
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is underrated. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
sacramento_nolan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Gabriella Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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