[higgy1]

Hi to one and all

I'm a UK trained RN and in the last stages of getting registered in BC. I've had a job offer from Fraser Health which I'm going to take up and start working (ideally) summer 2007.

I work in surgery (colo-rectal and vascular mainly, but I can turn my hand to pretty much anything, (as a half decent nurse should be able to!)) and I'm researching the web for hospitals in Fraser Health to see which ones appeal.

I've got a wife, four kids under 12, no desire to live in a big city and enjoy time outdoors. Taking these factors as well as the money/cost of housing into consideration, we're looking at moving to Maple Ridge and working at Ridge Meadows Hospital.

Is there anyone here who can tell me a little about Maple Ridge and some insight into Ridge Meadows? Is it a good place to live and work? Also, is it feasible to live in Maple Ridge and commute to places like Eagle Ridge Hospital or the Royal Columbian Hospital or Mission Memorial? What kind of distances are these and how long does the journey take?

Any insight you could give would be fab.

Thanks very much and take care.

[Fiona59]

I haven't been in Maple Ridge in well (I don't want to admit how long) but yes it is within commutable distance of most places in the lowermainland.

You'll probably find that most of your neighbours commute to work.

I think you need to understand that we have a different concept of distance than the British. I used to work with people who travelled in from Chilliwack to Vancouver (90 minutes highway driving each way).

I all depends on what you consider a lot of travelling time.

Housing is cheaper out there than in Vancouver/Burnaby.

[canuckeh!]

If you have no desire to live in a big city why not consider something more in the interior of BC? The lower mainland is actually one big city from Vancouver to Abbotsford. If you don't know the streets that delineate the boundary of one city from the next, you would never know it wasn't all the same place.

I suggest you look into opportunities in Interior Health:Kamloops(Royal Inand Hospital);Vernon(Vernon Jubilee) Penticton(Penticton Regional). Housing will be 1/2 [or less] the cost of the lower mainland(even Maple Ridge}. Access to the great outdoors is easier, cheaper and faster. If you want to come down to the big city for a weekend it is only a 4 hr drive.

Good luck and enjoy your move.

[RNinRubySlippers]

Hi,
I worked at RMH! I worked on 2W (medical/ palliative) and loved it! THe staff was so great to work with. The surgical RNs have a reputation for being hard nosed, but I dont know how true that is!

MR as a place to live is great. I have lived here all my life, love it. It has grown to be a very big town with too many people if you ask me, but I still love it! Lots of great schools for you kiddies too! It is a wide spread out town and there are different areas to live. The hospital is kind of in the middle of town. Hope this has helped a bit!

[nessy]

Maple Ridge is a nice city. There's some really nice new housing developments along 240th St.

[gaijingal]

So strange to see Maple Ridge mentioned! I grew up there, and am reluctantly looking at moving back.

As far as commuting, everyone commutes, further than the hospitals you mentioned, but having also lived in Britain, I think you will find the distances shocking at first(as was mentioned above). Shift work means that you can often avoid commuting though!

The hospital is a little podunk from what I can remember, and the last three friends of my mom who were admitted died, but I don't think that was the staff's fault.

Maple Ridge is beautiful, but a little....YAWN! And housing is not as cheap as it should be, because they will only build these GIANT houses.

Anyhow, my reluctance has more to do with personal reasons than any problem with Maple Ridge. It IS getting a rough edge I noticed on my last visit, something to do with the Salvation Army and the gentrification of downtown (my parents are sort of incomprihensible on the topic). I'd recommend the Interior too, except I've never lived there myself, and may have romanticized notions.

Kamloops is nice though! And I have a friend that vouches for Kelowna (I'm looking there, they seem to have tonnes of jobs, probably due to becoming a retirement town.)

I guess this isn't that helpful. Upshot is, Maple Ridge is definitely ok, nothing tres fabulous though.

You can PM me for more specific points if you want.