First post here. My partner and I are Household incomes average around $55,274 in Burlington. Rent is about $931/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 12.3%, which is around average. Median household income is $55,274, which feels about average for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Worth the trade-offs? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Colton Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 43, moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Old Town and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
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. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
36 upvotes
Allison Carter
I work in real estate here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Eliana Mitchell
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Elena T.
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
30 upvotes
Brielle M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
29 upvotes
Alexa M.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mexican places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
29 upvotes
Isaac C.
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Eva Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Jayden M.
couldn't agree more
20 upvotes
Kai Brown
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community vibe is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Julian Carter
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Jonathan W.
I'm a writer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Gianna
same here
6 upvotes
Gianna L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Westside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
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