Curious what people think. I've been here for 19 years and Poverty rate is 11.6%, which is around average. Median household income is $89,150, which feels pretty solid for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Thoughts? TIA!
47 upvotes
16 Replies
Carson Kelly
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Daniel Reyes
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The housing market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
chill_abigail28
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Liam Smith
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Josiah Sanders
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 5 years. Moved from San Diego for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Aubrey Roberts
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
John Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Emmett R.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Jaxon Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Autumn Anderson
The food scene here is average. Tons of great seafood places. I love the pace of life here.
14 upvotes
Mia Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Sebastian Baker
as a local I can confirm
10 upvotes
Elizabeth Nguyen
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Elijah Hall
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Hannah Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Jeremiah Morgan
I've lived in Highland for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
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