Been meaning to ask this. Homes are going for about $75,500 on average. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Any advice would be great.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Ethan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Eli Young
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is excellent in most areas.
36 upvotes
kennedy_life
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Greyson Jones
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
29 upvotes
Isaiah
this is the way
27 upvotes
Asher King
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Korean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
18 upvotes
Aaron Mitchell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to San Diego it's decent.
16 upvotes
Victoria Parker
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Riverside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Xavier Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
11 upvotes
Isaac Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
chicagoheart2021
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- The safety scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Jameson L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
mountain_hunter14
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 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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 pretty good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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