Hey, We have two kids and The median home value here is around $192,300, which is actually reasonable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. TIA! People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
6 upvotes
18 Replies
Nicholas Baker
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Old Town area are excellent. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Aubrey C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Carol S.
spot on
37 upvotes
Claire K.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Zoe Sanchez
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Nolan W.
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
Isabella Walker
yeah no that's not right
26 upvotes
Gianna Taylor
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Hazel Thomas
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Christian Price
lol so true
19 upvotes
Eliana Harris
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much reasonable but now it's underrated.
10 upvotes
Isla
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 50, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Uptown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
6 upvotes
Leonardo Price
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to nightlife but Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Austin H.
hmm interesting perspective
4 upvotes
Emma G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Uptown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
4 upvotes
Dominic Stewart
I work in construction here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Weston A.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The public transit is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
1 upvotes
Stephen A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 42, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
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