I'm a 45-year-old teacher and The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 144K people. You can expect to pay around $1,017 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Looking forward to hearing from you all. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
44 upvotes
11 Replies
Axel Nelson
been saying this for years
40 upvotes
Austin Myers
I'm a software engineer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Levi White
not my experience at all
35 upvotes
phoenix_emily
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 8 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. 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 about the same 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:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails 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 decent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Lucy Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Bella Clark
I've lived in East for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Brooks Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
greyson_living
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
15 upvotes
Olivia P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
charlotte_isla
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
3 upvotes
Wesley 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 3 years. Moved from Baltimore for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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