Hello, Been living here since 2015. It's a a major city city with about 664K people. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I wrong here? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
88 upvotes
7 Replies
Carter P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Austin about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Daniel J.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Midtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Dylan R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
John J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
14 upvotes
Maya Torres
Moved here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Valentina R.
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 Baltimore for retirement. 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 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Ruby Harris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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