Curious what people think. Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 13.0%, which is around average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation? The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
25 upvotes
2 Replies
Bennett M.
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 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Maple Ridge schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Kimberly M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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