Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $108,000 on average. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
3 upvotes
19 Replies
Daniel G.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much reasonable but now it's underrated.
40 upvotes
Thomas Cooper
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much competitive but now it's decent.
40 upvotes
Skylar Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Adam Richardson
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Vivian H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Salt Lake City it's decent.
36 upvotes
Bella R.
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
31 upvotes
Austin Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Lucy Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (The Heights) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
25 upvotes
Ryan
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Eleanor Perez
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Lakewood area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Claire Cruz
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Gary M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 45, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
20 upvotes
Savannah H.
underrated comment
18 upvotes
Oliver Evans
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Easton Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Logan Johnson
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 9 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails 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 underrated. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Jacob Jimenez
preach
3 upvotes
Brooklyn W.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
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