I relocated for work and Poverty rate is 13.3%, which is around average. Median household income is $50,809, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $97,300 on average. The unemployment rate is 5.0%, which is about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Should I be concerned? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
21 upvotes
9 Replies
Scarlett Davis
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Emmett Gutierrez
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Ann G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Asher Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Noah Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Pine Hills schools are hit or miss. 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 high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Valentina M.
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
Willow H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Cooper Harris
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Cooper
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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