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Allison King
qa
Bowling Green in the winter -how bad?
Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Christina M.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The walkability is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Ashley M.
lol so true
28 upvotes
Ruby J.
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 10 years. Moved from Austin for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 10 years. Moved from Austin for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Isla Miller
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Declan Foster
Came here for family and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Hailey Robinson
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Mia Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Abigail C.
I'm a lawyer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Addison C.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great seafood places. I love the pace of life here.
11 upvotes
Lillian W.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
10 upvotes
Kaylee Price
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
10 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
9 upvotes
Genesis Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
9 upvotes
Susan C.
thanks for sharing
7 upvotes