Military spouse here. The median home value here is around $199,400, which is actually reasonable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Worth the trade-offs? Appreciate any input. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Greyson G.
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 3 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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 tough. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
noah_native
good to know, thanks
31 upvotes
Brooks W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Pittsburgh it's pretty good.
21 upvotes
Jacob Jones
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Kennedy Harris
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Parker Davis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Dallas it's better than expected.
18 upvotes
Victoria Williams
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Henry W.
bump
13 upvotes
Ethan B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Parker Cooper
yeah no that's not right
7 upvotes
Emily Price
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is challenging in most areas.
7 upvotes
Emma Williams
couldn't agree more
5 upvotes
raised_james26
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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