The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 269K people. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Does this match your experience? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
5 upvotes
19 Replies
Lily Rodriguez
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
Charlotte
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Rachel C.
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Noah King
following this thread
36 upvotes
Kayden S.
Bought a house here in 2022 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
34 upvotes
Eva Collins
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Thomas Peterson
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 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
tulsa_mia
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Audrey Lopez
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
22 upvotes
Theodore Scott
This.
18 upvotes
indy_madeline
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Weston
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
16 upvotes
Harper Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
dallaswalker2026
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
Parker Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. average 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 Dallas, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
8 upvotes
Maverick Edwards
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is solid in most areas.
7 upvotes
Elizabeth Hill
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is underrated in most areas.
3 upvotes
Kaylee Evans
been saying this for years
1 upvotes
Miles
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
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