Hey everyone, With a population of 17,535, Camano is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 17,535 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Greyson T.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
37 upvotes
Jackson B.
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 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains 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 tough. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Madelyn
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Diane T.
same here
29 upvotes
Rylee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Highland and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
29 upvotes
Roman Kelly
Used to live on the North side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
27 upvotes
Greyson Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 7 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Alice H.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great sushi places. it exceeded my expectations.
24 upvotes
Naomi Morgan
hard disagree but ok
24 upvotes
Michael M.
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Eleanor Moore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Diego about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Sarah C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Mia
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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