Why live in Maple Ridge?
One hour east of downtown Vancouver is where you will find the natural oasis of Maple Ridge. Nestled between the Fraser River and Golden Ears Provincial Park, Maple Ridge has its all - lakes, rivers, and of course, mountains - the Coast Mountains to be specific. Golden Ears is a group of mountains in the southernmost part of the Garibaldi Ranges, offering locals a breathtaking place to canoe, kayak, fish, swim, paddle, hike, camp, and ride a horse. Fun fact: Golden Ears Provincial Park is home to an extensive network of horseback riding trails and Maple Ridge has multiple equestrian centres, including Maple Meadows Equestrian Centre, Maple Ridge Equi Sports Centre, and Paris Equestria. Beyond the area’s natural beauty, Maple Ridge is a family-oriented community with a thriving local economy and a relatively affordable housing market. Compared to the nearby City of Vancouver, life in Maple Ridge is considerably less expensive. Whether you’re talking about rent, groceries, transportation, or childcare, you can expect to pay less for it when living in Maple Ridge. Infrastructure in Maple Ridge is also top-notch, with an excellent network of public schools thanks to School District 42 (Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows), as well as several high-quality hospitals and healthcare centres, including Ridge Meadows Hospital. While there is no university located directly in Maple Ridge, it isn’t far from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby or Vancouver’s many post-secondary institutions, including the University of British Columbia. The only downside to Maple Ridge is that the TransLink SkyTrain does not currently extend to Maple Ridge. This makes it slightly more difficult to travel to downtown Vancouver without a car. That said, Maple Ridge drivers can easily access the major highways, which can get them to Vancouver, the rest of the Lower Mainland, and elsewhere in the province. Ultimately, if you''''re looking for somewhere to relax, unwind, enjoy nature, and raise a family, Maple Ridge might just be perfect for you.
Quality and diversity of education in Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge is served by British Columbia School District No. 42, which also serves the neighbouring community of Pitt Meadows. The school board operates 27 schools in the area. However, there are many other options outside of the school district if you prefer a religious, French immersion, or private educational institution. Maple Ridge is also a great spot for those wishing to attend post-secondary school in the province, as Simon Fraser University is roughly 30 minutes by car. Meanwhile, in the City of Vancouver, locals will gain access to the University of British Columbia, Capilano University, Vancouver Film School, the Art Institute of Vancouver, and the Emily Carr University of Art + Design.
Most populous cities in Maple Ridge
The largest neighbourhoods in Maple Ridge include Port Hammond, Port Haney, Ruskin, Silver Valley, Albion/Kanaka, Town Centre, Whonnock, Thornhill, Yennadon, and Webster’s Corners.
Quality of infrastructure for Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge is not currently serviced by Metro Vancouver’s TransLink public transportation system. That said, there is a Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows Transit Plan in the works. In the meantime, drivers have easy access to Maple Ridge and the surrounding areas via the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 7. There is also a West Coast Express train service that transports passengers from Maple Ridge to Vancouver in under an hour. The closest West Coast Express train station in Maple Ridge is Port Haney. If Maple Ridge residents need to travel internationally, they have two main airports to choose from, Abbotsford International Airport and Vancouver International Airport in Richmond. Lastly, residents are served by the nearby Ridge Meadows Hospital, which jointly serves Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Surrey Memorial Hospital and Vancouver’s many hospitals, like Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital, are also nearby.
Safety and security for Maple Ridge
The Ridge Meadows Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) unit serves Maple Ridge. They are tasked with keeping the area secure, though it is already known for its low crime rate and low risk of natural disasters. If there is ever an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Maple Ridge property market
Maple Ridge is consistently regarded as one of the most affordable places to live in the Metro Vancouver Area. That said, the area is growing quickly, which means entering the housing market early is likely a wise decision. Currently, Maple Ridge boasts a wide range of property types for families, seniors, and young people alike. You can find everything from bungalows, detached homes, and semi-detached homes to apartments, townhouses, and condos here.
Standard of living in Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge is known for its superior standard of living. After all, it boasts natural beauty, family-friendly amenities, a bustling local economy, and an affordable property market. It’s no wonder the region is considered one of the most liveable in the world. Did you know that The Global Liveability Index recently ranked Vancouver (which includes Maple Ridge) in the top ten in their list of the most liveable cities in the world? It’s true! The Global Liveability Index’s 2023 Liveability Report ranked Vancouver as the fifth most liveable city in the world, taking into account stability, healthcare, culture & environment, and education.
Something wonderful about Maple Ridge
As previously mentioned, Maple Ridge sits on the shores of the Fraser River to the south and extends up to Golden Ears Provincial Park in the north. This means that natural beauty abounds in Maple Ridge. Residents who live here can do everything from canoe, kayak, and fish to swim, paddle, hike, and camp year-round. Plus, the area is primed for horseback riding. Golden Ears Provincial Park features an extensive network of horseback riding trails. Catering to this, Maple Ridge is home to several equestrian centres, including Maple Meadows Equestrian Centre, Maple Ridge Equi Sports Centre, and Paris Equestria. So if horseback riding has ever interested you, Maple Ridge might be the perfect place to learn.
