Hey everyone, I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $70,578 in Waukegan. Homes are going for about $177,600 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
5 Replies
Hannah Lopez
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Eli Kim
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Barbara T.
haha yep pretty much
17 upvotes
austin_evelyn
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 1 years. Moved from Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. 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 better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Genesis C.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much competitive but now it's solid.