Hey everyone, What do you all think? TIA! Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
24 upvotes
19 Replies
Alexa Bailey
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Adam D.
Came here for school and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Asher Rivera
I work in construction here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is better than expected. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Melanie Hill
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Cedar Grove area are challenging. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Aiden Gomez
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Italian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
34 upvotes
Roman Gonzalez
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
33 upvotes
Everly Rivera
nah I disagree
33 upvotes
Kennedy James
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Weston Gray
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Lucy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Downtown schools are decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Joshua Lopez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Asian places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
21 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 42, moved here 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Nashville, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
21 upvotes
Caroline Davis
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 Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests 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 excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Quinn Jones
100%
13 upvotes
Katherine C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
9 upvotes
Jameson M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
oakland_silas
I'm a HR manager and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Christine G.
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Bennett L.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.