Alright, I've been here for 19 years and You can expect to pay around $992 for rent here. Average temperature is around 74--F, so it's warm year-round. Poverty rate is 17.2%, which is higher than I expected. Median household income is $56,093, which feels about average for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thoughts?
21 upvotes
10 Replies
omahafan2023
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Madeline Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Maverick Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Mateo Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Bought a house here in 2019 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
27 upvotes
Charlotte C.
literally same
21 upvotes
Easton Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
Kai Flores
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Jameson Bailey
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Lucas Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..