Random thought, I'm a 38-year-old project manager and Average temperature is around 74--F, so it's warm year-round. It's a a small town city with about 14,660 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cheers. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up.
11 upvotes
10 Replies
austin_ellie
preach
40 upvotes
Levi Harris
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Emilia
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 8 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Rachel Y.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from New York about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Kayden
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
Jacob Watson
I work in healthcare here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Isabelle Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 48, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
16 upvotes
Kennedy Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Uptown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - 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 walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Miami, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
15 upvotes
sebastian_walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Ariana Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
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