Curious what people think. We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up.
0 upvotes
10 Replies
Waylon Reyes
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
adeline_guy
I work in manufacturing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is decent. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Sarah Robinson
preach
35 upvotes
Evan W.
100%
27 upvotes
Caroline Cox
Came here for weather and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The public transit is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Ellie Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Rodriguez
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
22 upvotes
Ruby Davis
I've lived in South for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Liam Campbell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Atlanta it's improving.
16 upvotes
loving_jameson94
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 5 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks 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 surprisingly 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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