Maple Ridge Real Estate & Homes For Sale
The city of Maple Ridge is a haven for those who love wide open spaces and natural areas but still want to be close to a sophisticated urban environment. Situated between the beautiful Fraser River and the Golden Ears Mountain, Maple Ridge offers up some of the most stunning views, not to mention the plethora of outdoor recreation and activities the landscape permits. It's not all open country and rural settings, though. Maple Ridge offers up some of the most exciting theatre and art options, and plays host to a myriad of festivals throughout the year. Shopping and dining options are abundant, and there are plenty of educational and historical offerings, too.
Whether it's horseback riding through a lush nature trail and stopping by the farmer's market to pick fresh ingredients for dinner or dressing to the nines and enjoying a night of live theatre performances and upscale dining, Maple Ridge offers it all. The population of Maple Ridge, as of 2011, was 76,052 and is one of Metro Vancouver's fastest-growing cities. This was a 10.3% increase from 2006; quite large when compared with the nation's average growth rate of 5.9%. About 69% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64.
Maple Ridge Homes For Sale
- All Listings
- $200,000 - $300,000
- $300,000 - $400,000
- $500,000 - $600,000
- $800,000 - $900,000
- $900,000 - $1,000,000
- Over $1,000,000
Employment Opportunities
There are a variety of industries that run the show in Maple Ridge, and Metro Vancouver expects both the population and the number of jobs in Maple Ridge to double by 2040. In 2013, Maple Ridge was named the Number 5 Top Canadian Investment City, and was named the Number 2 Top British Columbia Investment Town for several years in a row. The Maple Ridge Council has placed a priority on creating excellent, high-value jobs. One of the ways this is done is by making the city friendly to business-owners and entrepreneurs. The BC Jobs Plan and Invest North Fraser (an economic partnership between Maple Ridge, Mission and Pitt Meadows) has focused their attention on four priority sectors in relation to job creation and investment attraction projects: Advanced Technology, Agriculture, Post Secondary/International Education and Tourism. The unemployment rate in Maple Ridge (according to 2006 census information) was just 4.6%, quite low in comparison with British Columbia's rate of 6.0% as a whole.
Shopping/Dining
When it comes to shopping, Maple Ridge residents have an abundance of options to choose from. Nearby Valley Fair Mall and Westgate Centre offers grocery stores, pharmacies, gift shops and boutiques and a variety of professional services including a veterinarian office, banks, a dry cleaner's, a cafe and more. Downtown, Haney Place Mall offers a huge variety of stores and shops for those who want to do some serious shopping. Book stores, gifts and souvenir stores, sporting goods stores, trendy fashion retailers, gaming stores and a plethora of dining establishments are just a few of the options located here.
There are plenty of options when it comes to dining, as well. Downtown in Maple Ridge (near 224th Street and Dewdney Truck Road), residents will find a myriad of fine dining where they can choose from succulent seafood and tantalizing steak paired with fresh cocktails. A great choice is the Firehall Bistro, which offers up a traditional French menu including choices like creamy lobster bisque and lamb dishes. Plenty of laid-back pubs in Maple Ridge serve delicious dishes like burgers, nachos, fish and chips and more. Maple Ridge is also a fantastic place to sample ethnic dishes, from Indian and Japanese cuisine to Italian dishes and Greek treats.
Transportation
While Maple Ridge is still primarily a car-dependent neighbourhood, there are a variety of alternative options for those who desire them. Translink buses operate throughout Maple Ridge, and the West Coast Express is available as well. Highway 7 provides access to Pitt Meadows and Mission, and taking the Golden Ears Toll Bridge takes Maple Ridge residents to Langley. Those in need of more in-depth travel can utilize the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport just 2.5 km east of the Pitt and Fraser Rivers confluence, or opt for Abbotsford International Airport located 40 km away in Abbotsford.
Schools
The School District Number 42 serves Maple Ridge children from Kindergarten all the way to Grade 12, with each school placing an importance on balance between core academics and additional programs like art and sports. There are 18 elementary schools, and 5 secondary schools throughout the city. For those who don't want to rely on public education, Maple Ridge offers up outstanding private school options. Secondary education is also available through BCIT, Douglas College which offers a range of courses and programs, and Sprott Shaw College, which is a private institution.
The Arts
Maple Ridge residents enjoy a large and thriving art scene, with a variety of options for art experiences. The Maple Ridge Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council encourages and promotes arts throughout the community, and is responsible for the Act Arts Centre, which sponsors a variety of art programs that residents can enjoy. At the Act Arts Centre, artists and residents gather to celebrate and enjoy art, from 3D pottery and 2D drawing to crafts and live theatre. The Poscenuim Theatre and the Black Box Studio Theatre are just two of the benefits brought to Maple Ridge by the Act Arts Centre. A variety of classes is available for residents who want to explore various types of art. At the Maple Ridge Gallery, residents can enjoy the work of local artists and art students throughout the community. The Maple Ridge Concert Band is also worth checking out; this band is a community concert band that the city has enjoyed for more than 50 years.
Recreation/Sports
A variety of outdoor recreational activities await thrill-seekers in Maple Ridge. Trails abound in the community and are within 15 minutes of residents no matter where they live. Hiking, cycling and exploring these trails and dykes is a favourite of locals. Bird-watching is another favourite activity, and in this gorgeous area, spectators can spot a stunning variety of bird species, from warblers and thrushes to ospreys and trumpeter swans. Campgrounds are dotted all over the area, as well as wildlife tours that are excellent educational and recreational events. Festivals and parades also take place throughout the year, such as the Rogers Santa Claus Parade, the Jazz and Blues Festival and the Caribbean Festival.
Investing in Maple Ridge Real Estate
Maple Ridge is a wonderful example of a complete city, offering the finest natural areas where residents can explore and enjoy the seclusion and privacy, as well as all the best urban benefits. Residents can find fresh fruit and veggies at a farmer's market or the most upscale cuisine at fine-dining restaurants. They can walk along secluded trails and become one with nature or ride a city bus to their destination and enjoy the diversity of the residents also riding along. Spectacular views, affordable homes, a variety of opportunity and excellent schools are just a few of the reasons that families are being drawn to Maple Ridge from all over British Columbia.
Investors love the area for the ability to find affordable gems and make a return on investment. There has never been a better time to invest in one of the fastest-growing areas of the province, and one of the most beautiful cities within all of Canada.
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