Thinking about relocating to The Colony from St. Louis
Hi all, I'm single, late 20s, and You can expect to pay around $1,884 for rent here. Rent is about $1,884/month for a decent place. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
26 upvotes
12 Replies
Alexa H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Christian White
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Quinn J.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The school system is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Lillian Reed
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 4 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes 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. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Mia Parker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
chill_colton4
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
local_rylee40
glad someone said it
17 upvotes
Anna R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 43, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Fairview and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - 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 dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
9 upvotes
Jose Kim
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much developing but now it's average.
5 upvotes
Andrew Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Evan L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
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