Longtime lurker here, You can expect to pay around $1,016 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What do you all think? The city has invested a lot in new development.
30 upvotes
27 Replies
Aurora Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
la_joshua
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great BBQ places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
39 upvotes
Robert Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 36, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
35 upvotes
Nevaeh James
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Kayden Moore
noted, appreciate it
34 upvotes
Joseph C.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
29 upvotes
Victoria Baker
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Logan Mendoza
hard disagree but ok
26 upvotes
Weston Campbell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
axel_papa
lol so true
26 upvotes
orlandopapa2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Mason
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Lily White
interesting, hadn't considered that
23 upvotes
Reagan Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 43, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
21 upvotes
Aurora R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 50, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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
Kayden Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is underrated in most areas.
20 upvotes
Xavier Price
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Westside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Zoe Miller
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
vegaspapa2020
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Claire Rivera
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
14 upvotes
Carter Williams
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The pet-friendliness is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Eli Nguyen
Bought a house here in 2024 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Theodore Ortiz
yeah no that's not right
7 upvotes
Kinsley Hall
big facts right here
3 upvotes
Sebastian Robinson
this is the way
3 upvotes
Genesis Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Martha F.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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