Longtime lurker here, The median home value here is around $329,200, which seems about average. It's a a small town city with about 3,300 people. Homes are going for about $329,200 on average. Rent is about $1,102/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Wesley Moore
this is the way
35 upvotes
Maya
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Thomas Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Aiden W.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Jack Martinez
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Leo P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 9 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
fresno_daniel
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Nicholas Baker
This.
12 upvotes
Kinsley
bump
9 upvotes
Aubrey Perez
as a local I can confirm
4 upvotes
Sofia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
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