Hello, I'm a college student here and Median household income is $76,099, which feels about average for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thanks in advance! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
30 upvotes
14 Replies
Maverick Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Andrew Perez
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Christian W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Lucas Miller
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Cooper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from San Diego about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
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 affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Stella Watson
wish I knew this sooner
23 upvotes
Austin Torres
+1
22 upvotes
Andrew Thompson
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Carolyn C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Audrey Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Leo Adams
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 2 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Maple Ridge 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Noah Sanchez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Nashville it's better than expected.
7 upvotes
Pamela K.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
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