With a population of 14,604, Fraser is a small town. Median household income is $61,118, which feels about average for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What are your go-to spots?
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Delilah Reyes
100%
38 upvotes
Kennedy M.
nah I disagree
36 upvotes
Kaylee Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Carson Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Caleb Martin
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Thai places. the quality of life is solid.
35 upvotes
Evelyn N.
yep
30 upvotes
Levi Wright
Used to live on the North side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
30 upvotes
Evan L.
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Chloe Martinez
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 15 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes 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 underrated. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Bennett W.
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Theodore Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 55, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. average 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 Chicago, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Julian W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Olivia R.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much wild but now it's decent.