Hey everyone, I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $210,500, which is actually reasonable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
6 upvotes
4 Replies
Valentina Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. 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 running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Everly
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Owen Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from LA 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 Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.