Located just about a half-hour's drive from the megapolis of Vancouver, Maple Ridge is a bustling city in British Columbia, Canada. Part of Metro Vancouver, Maple Ridge is made up of several different historical areas and was incorporated as a district municipality in 1874. Besides, the city of Maple Ridge has become a popular location for feature films and television series.  

What is the community of Maple Ridge like? 

Located in the northeastern section of Greater Vancouver between the Fraser River and the Golden Ears, Maple Ridge is a vibrant community home to around 83,000 residents. Although lying close to the megacity of Vancouver, which plays home to an exceptional recreational landscape, Maple Ridge has fostered its unique appeal among residents and visitors alike. 
The city of Maple Ridge offers a plethora of exciting outdoor recreational opportunities, scenic views, lush parks, several trails, immersive shopping centers, and much more. Spanning over 62,000 hectares of rugged wilderness, the Golden Ears Provincial Park is home to three campgrounds as well as Alouette Lake and Gold Creek. 
The extensive system of trails within the park provides an excellent opportunity for hiking and horseback riding. Besides, Alouette Lake is a popular spot for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, boating, and fishing.  
In addition, Maple Ridge is also home to Kanaka Creek Park, which comprises 400 hectares of wilderness park along 12 kilometers of Kanaka Creek. Protecting one of the most distinctive, attractive, and undisturbed streams in the Lower Mainland, Kanaka Creek Regional Park has access points at various locations, with a short trail along the creek.  
The focal point of the park is Cliff Falls. This spectacular canyon carved by the turbulent water is ideal for picnics and quiet enjoyment. Some of the most exciting things to do and see at Kanaka Creek Park include canoeing, creek and waterfall areas, fishing, running or walking on the park’s scenic trails, and wildlife viewing.  
Maple Ridge is also loved for its arts and culture. The city is home to several venues for performing arts including the famous Arts Centre and Theatre (ACT). The ACT contains a main stage theatre capable of seating 486 for musical and dramatic performances as well as a studio theatre used for other performances, classes, and special events. Besides, The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is also located in the ACT, focusing on local artists and art students. 
In addition, Maple Ridge also has several festivals and annual parades, including, among others, the Santa Claus Parade & Christmas in the Park, Earth Day celebrations in Memorial Peace Park, Canada Day in Memorial Peace Park, the Celebrate the Night Halloween & Fireworks event at Memorial Peace Park, and one of the longest-running agricultural fairs in BC, Country Fest at the fairgrounds.  

What is Real Estate like in Maple Ridge?     

Real estate in Maple Ridge has shown incredible growth over the recent years. The home prices in Maple Ridge have grown by more than a staggering 84% between 2012 and 2021. Also, the city has experienced decent growth during the last 12 months. Between June 2020 and May 2021, the home prices in Maple Ridge saw a growth of more than 14.28%.   
Home prices in Maple Ridge have shown strong growth over the last year. The sale prices of homes in Maple Ridge have experienced a growth of more than 39% between May 2020 and May 2021.   
The median home price in Maple Ridge is around $925,000. Currently, there are 386 active homes for sale in Maple Ridge, and at present, it typically takes just 29 days for a listed home to sell. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Maple Ridge is around $1,600 per month. 

How is the economic landscape of Maple Ridge?    

Forestry and Agriculture were the two main industries during the time of early settlers. Forestry companies continue to be the largest private-sector employers in the district.  
Centrally located in the Lower Mainland with proximity to downtown Vancouver, the port, airports, and the United States, Maple Ridge has an infrastructure that supports business. Diversification and proximity to markets remain Maple Ridge’s greatest economic strength. Agriculture, manufacturing, professional services, technology, and tourism are all important industries in the region.  
Besides, the median household income in Maple Ridge is $86,178 per year. 

How are the schools in Maple Ridge?     

Public schools in Maple Ridge are administered by School District 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. The school district operates eighteen elementary schools, five secondary schools, an adult learning center, a community college, and several other educational facilities in Maple Ridge.  
When it comes to higher education, Maple Ridge lies in proximity to several universities, prominent among them being the Simon Fraser University. Established in 1965, the Simon Fraser University is a public research university with three campuses: Burnaby (main campus), Surrey, and Vancouver. The 170-hectare (420-acre) main Burnaby campus on Burnaby Mountain, located 20 kilometers from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and comprises more than 30,000 students and 160,000 alumni. 
Consistently ranked as Canada's top comprehensive university and named to the Times Higher Education list of 100 world universities under 50, SFU is also the first Canadian member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the world's largest college sports association. In the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities rankings, the university ranked 301–400 in the world and 13–18 in Canada. Besides, the 2022 QS World University Rankings ranked the university 298th in the world and thirteenth in Canada. 

Maple Ridge in a nutshell        

In a nutshell, Maple Ridge is a vibrant community that enjoys all the modern urban amenities just minutes away from the megapolis of Vancouver. The city offers a plethora of outstanding recreational facilities including several pristine parks, an incredible arts center, a myriad of exotic restaurants, shopping destinations, and much more. The city also hosts several exciting festivals year-round. With great educational facilities and rich cultural and historical heritage, Maple Ridge is a great place to raise a family or simply live and excel.