Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge, a city with a little over 83,000 residents, is located on the northeast side of Greater Vancouver in British Columbia. It’s situated between the Fraser River and the Golden Ears, a majestic group of mountain summits that overlook this small, peaceful city.
As the 5th oldest municipality in British Columbia, Maple Ridge was initially incorporated in 1874 as a district municipality. Only around 50 families occupied this vast expanse of 33,000 acres in the early days, but the population has expanded over time to the numbers seen today. Until fairly recently, Maple Ridge had retained its status as a district municipality, but on March 26, 2014, residents decided to change their position to a city through a public vote.
Why is Maple Ridge one of the best places to live in Vancouver?
Lifestyle and Culture
Much of Maple Ridge’s lifestyle is based around the outdoors, and the city offers a number of recreational activities, including fishing on the Fraser Valley, cycling, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, and horseback riding. Maple Ridge also has excellent shopping facilities, where you can pick up stylish furniture, clothes, specialty toys, and artwork. Maple Ridge has a large number of European-Canadian residents and a small Aboriginal, South Asian, and Chinese population.
The city hosts a number of yearly festivals and annual parades, including the Rogers Santa Claus Parade. Circle Farm tours are top-rated among locals and tourists, which allow you to savour local food, visit wineries, and experience “farm to table” dining. Spots like Cultus Lake are trendy among those seeking a summer getaway, and there are a number of heritage and historical sites to explore, as well as outdoor activities to enjoy.
Warmer and brighter
Because the surrounding mountains shield it, the climate in Maple Ridge is pretty mild, with warm summers and chilly winters. There are rarely extreme highs or lows in temperature through the seasons, and snow is generally limited to the surrounding mountains, making the city an excellent place for outdoor activities all year round.
Communities are nearby
Maple Ridge is a great city to settle in, with friendly, community-oriented residents and plenty of opportunities for making the most of the stunning scenery and nature all around. No matter where in Maple Ridge you decide to buy your new home, you really can’t go wrong.
If you ask a Maple Ridge Realtor® or any of the locals, most of them will recommend Thornhill, Cottonwood and Albion as great places to buy your new home in Maple Ridge, especially if you are a young and growing family. There are newly-built properties near the well-established elementary schools, Kanaka Creek Elementary and Golden Ears Elementary. Homes are also plentiful, just a short drive away from Albion Fairgrounds, a location with many sporting complexes where families and children can enjoy various recreational activities.
Silver Valley is yet another appealing neighbourhood with a mixture of old and new properties for sale; all located a short drive away from schools, parks and Alouette Lake, where many families like to camp, have picnics or go for boat rides in the summer. Here, you have a good chance of finding homes on offer for lower prices than in other parts of Maple Ridge.
Demographics
Before actually visiting any open houses in Maple Ridge, it’s a good idea to do a little research into the city’s demographics. The data collected by Census Canada is easy to access and can help you get a better idea of whether or not Maple Ridge is the proper city for you and your family to relocate to.
Things to do!
Because of all the mountain summits and lakes surrounding it, Maple Ridge is home to many popular hiking trails with breathtaking views. Regardless of which trail you choose to visit, you will be surrounded by stunning natural features and peaceful scenery throughout your whole journey.
A favourite place of locals is Alouette Lake. Whether you’re looking for a great weekend getaway spot or a short boat ride to clear your thoughts, Alouette Lake is the perfect place to find some peace or spend precious moments with your family.
Biking and hiking are fantastic ways to take in the stunning local scenery. Thanks to the surrounding ring of mountains, Maple Ridge offers some of the best mountain trails to be found anywhere, untouched by human interference. It’s one of the best places in B.C. for connecting with nature, including forest animals, local birds, and of course, amazing views.
