Alright, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Crime rate is something to consider -Foothill Farms sits at 453.6 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? Thanks for reading. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Jacob
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
40 upvotes
Theodore Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
36 upvotes
Lillian Baker
nah I disagree
33 upvotes
Ezekiel
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Uptown area are tough. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Ezekiel Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Amelia Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 50, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
20 upvotes
Sebastian Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Austin Ramirez
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Carson Carter
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Baltimore it's underrated.
16 upvotes
Leah Nguyen
spot on
13 upvotes
Ethan W.
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 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 average. 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 public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Ian Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Doris M.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much established but now it's tough.
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