Median household income is $54,217, which feels on the lower side for the area. Poverty rate is 6.1%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Thoughts? The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Lillian White
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
40 upvotes
Hunter Chavez
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 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Philip R.
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
37 upvotes
Isaiah Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Charlotte about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Ariana R.
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
22 upvotes
Evan Stewart
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Eugene M.
This.
18 upvotes
Emily Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 4 years. Moved from New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are excellent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Brielle Baker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is decent in most areas.
6 upvotes
Aubrey
I work in marketing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is average. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Ava B.
yep
2 upvotes
Ruby Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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