Been meaning to ask this. Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. The median home value here is around $141,600, which is actually reasonable. It's a a small town city with about 21,377 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What do you all think? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
8 upvotes
5 Replies
Sarah Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are pretty 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Weston Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from San Francisco about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Jayden W.
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 2 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. 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 a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails 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 average. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Emmett Adams
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's tough.
16 upvotes
Isabelle Edwards
I work in engineering here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is decent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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