You can expect to pay around $1,794 for rent here. Rent is about $1,794/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
19 upvotes
11 Replies
Skylar Collins
following this thread
40 upvotes
Violet Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Natalie Cooper
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
37 upvotes
Natalie Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 24, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
30 upvotes
portland_jonathan
underrated comment
24 upvotes
Lydia Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
James Howard
Came here for family and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Adrian C.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Southern places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
13 upvotes
Natalie M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Ella Ortiz
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 9 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Natalie Kim
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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