Anyone else feel this way? Poverty rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,007/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any help is appreciated. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
12 Replies
Landon M.
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
38 upvotes
Dylan C.
I've lived in Fairview for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Sophia Cruz
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 Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. engineering 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails 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 solid. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Dylan Garcia
hmm interesting perspective
25 upvotes
Thomas Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Springfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
23 upvotes
Emma Brown
interesting, hadn't considered that
21 upvotes
happy_dominic53
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from LA about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Amelia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Melissa B.
hmm interesting perspective
15 upvotes
Brenda G.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Logan Foster
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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