Hey everyone, I'm single, late 30s, and Crime rate is something to consider -Markham sits at 506.2 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Quinn H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. 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 significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are surprisingly good. 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 public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Jason B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Lucas
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
36 upvotes
Ann W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Gabriel Rivera
Moved here last year, no regrets.
32 upvotes
Axel James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 56, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in North and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
25 upvotes
Wyatt Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Can feel isolated. And healthcare 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.
23 upvotes
Skylar Chavez
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Charlotte
preach
17 upvotes
austindude2025
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Mia Hernandez
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Lillian Ramirez
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 14 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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