Hi all, Homes are going for about $397,400 on average. Household incomes average around $129,481 in Maple Grove. Average temperature is around 46--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,863/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
13 upvotes
29 Replies
detroitmind2020
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Zoey Adams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Portland about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
austin_ellie
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
33 upvotes
Luke Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 46, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Oak Park and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
31 upvotes
Aaron Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 14 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Highland 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Mark S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Lily Kim
I work in construction here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Waylon
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Dominic Thompson
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Angel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Portland it's surprisingly good.
23 upvotes
Autumn
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 26, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - 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 pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Baltimore, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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
Avery B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is decent in most areas.
21 upvotes
Mason
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
20 upvotes
Grace Mitchell
great question, following
20 upvotes
Nora Nguyen
Moved here last year, no regrets.
18 upvotes
Ellie Rodriguez
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The pet-friendliness is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Sebastian Clark
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Willow Phillips
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
cool_noah73
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
13 upvotes
Mackenzie
accurate
12 upvotes
Kayden Garcia
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Ezekiel Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Harper
yeah no that's not right
11 upvotes
Alexander Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
10 upvotes
Eleanor Ortiz
I work in government here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is average. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Emmett Lopez
Moved here from Chicago about 9 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cultural scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
George B.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Westside area are solid. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
cincygirl2020
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Lydia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
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