Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
Love where you live and play
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are two of Metro Vancouver’s best-kept secrets. Framed by the breathtaking Golden Ears Mountain peaks, this area is where nature and vibrant city life come together. Whether you’re hiking forested trails, exploring local shops and eateries, or enjoying the strong sense of community, there’s something here for everyone. With stunning views, rich cultural roots and endless outdoor adventures, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are the perfect places to live, work and explore.
Location
River views, mountain vibes, and city access—all in one place
Just 40 km (about 45 minutes) from downtown Vancouver, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows offer the perfect mix of natural beauty and urban convenience. Nestled between the Fraser River and the stunning Golden Ears Mountain range, these neighbouring communities are rich in scenic charm and local spirit.
Whether you’re wandering forested trails, kayaking along the river or grabbing coffee in a cozy downtown café, you’ll find a lifestyle that’s both laid-back and full of energy. With deep Indigenous roots, a proud history, and a growing creative and entrepreneurial scene, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are places where connection, culture and nature come together.
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows reside on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the qicəy (Katzie) [kut-zee] and qʷɑ:nƛən [Kwant-len] First Nations, and is home of the Golden Ears Métis Society.
Places to live
From Playgrounds to mountain views—welcome home
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows offer a variety of neighbourhoods, each with its own charm and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for quiet, tree-lined streets, riverside views or vibrant town centres, there’s a place here that feels just right.
In Maple Ridge, communities like Silver Valley and Albion blend natural beauty with modern living, while the downtown core offers walkable access to shops, cafés and cultural spots. Over in Pitt Meadows, you’ll find a cozy, close-knit vibe with scenic farmland, waterfront trails and family-friendly neighbourhoods like Osprey Village.
Things to do
Where river trails, mountain views, and family fun meet
Start your day with a stroll through Osprey Village or downtown Maple Ridge, where local cafés, shops, and public art create a welcoming vibe. Hike the trails at Golden Ears Provincial Park, paddle Alouette Lake or explore the Kanaka Creek Riverfront Trail for a dose of nature.
In Pitt Meadows, families love horseback riding at Leghorn Ranch, kayaking through Widgeon Slough or walking the scenic Pitt River Regional Greenway. Whether you’re golfing at Meadow Gardens, biking on the Ridge Meadows Dykes or relaxing by the Alouette River, these two communities offer endless ways to recharge, connect and explore.
Transportation
From trails to trains
Getting around Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows is easy, scenic, and family-friendly. Located along the Lougheed Highway and close to the Golden Ears Bridge, both cities offer quick access to Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. BC Transit connects neighbourhoods, schools, and shopping hubs like Haney Place Mall and Meadowtown Centre.
For active commuters, there are walkable streets, bike-friendly routes like the Pitt River Regional Greenway, and riverside trails along Kanaka Creek and Alouette River. The West Coast Express provides a direct rail link to Downtown Vancouver, making the daily commute both convenient and scenic. With EV charging stations and a growing network of sustainable transit options, getting around is as easy as it is eco-friendly.
Schools for your children
The Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows School District includes 21 elementary and six secondary schools, with programs like French Immersion, Montessori, International Baccalaureate and Indigenous-focused education.
For those seeking independent education, the region offers excellent private school choices. Meadowridge School, an IB World School, provides a globally focused curriculum from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Maple Ridge Christian School offers faith-based education with strong academics and leadership development. Meadow Montessori School emphasizes creativity and hands-on learning for younger students.
From Kindergarten to Grade 12, classrooms in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows offer inclusive, innovative learning environments where students feel safe, supported, and inspired. Whether you’re looking for public, private, or alternative education, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows offer a wide range of options to support every learner’s journey. program details.
Arriving in B.C.
Making your move easy
While you wait for your moving day, there are a few things you can do to ensure your arrival in B.C. is smooth and you can settle in quickly.
WelcomeBC has information to prepare you for your arrival to B.C. and outlines steps you can take in the first few days to help you settle in.
You’ll also find the B.C. Newcomers’ Guide helpful with tips and information on healthcare, finding a place to live, education, money & banking, and much more. It is available in 13 languages.
FAQs
The Government of British Columbia (Provincial government) health plan is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It pays for basic, medically required health services. These include some doctor visits, medical tests, and treatments. Not all health costs are covered by MSP like dental, optometry/vision or physiotherapy to name a few.
MSP is for:
• B.C. residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• B.C. residents who are government-assisted refugees
• international students with study permits
• some people with work permits for 6 months or more
Click here to find out if you are eligible for MSP.
Registering for MSP
You should register for MSP as soon as you arrive in B.C.
All residents of B.C. must be registered with MSP. You need to apply to register for MSP. On your application, make sure you write your name exactly as it appears on other official documents.
You may have to wait for up to 3 months for your application to be processed. If you do not have MSP, you should buy private medical insurance. If you need medical care in B.C. and you do not have MSP or private medical insurance, you will have to pay all medical costs yourself. These costs can be very high.
Check out the Newcomers Guide for more details on B.C.’s healthcare system.
You will need a BC Services Card to access health care services.
Follow these steps to get your BC Services Card.
1. Apply for MSP.
- Complete and send the BC MSP enrolment form.
- You can also apply online.
2. Visit an ICBC driver licensing office. After you send your documents and enrolment form, you will receive a letter in
the mail. Take the letter to an ICBC driver licensing office. You will also need to take 2 pieces of identification.
- Find out what kind of identification you will need. icbc.com – Search for “Service card
accepted ID” - Find an ICBC office near you.
Children under 19, people 75 and older, and people with study and work permits do not have to visit an ICBC office. You will receive a BC Services Card without a photo. Click here for more information.
Check out the Newcomers Guide for more details on B.C.’s health care system.
There are many real estate sites that list local rentals and sales of homes in New Westminster. Here are some to choose from:
Buyers:
Renters:
- apartments.com
- realtor.ca
- rentals.ca
- Join a local Facebook group
Tips:
- Check out the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) website for information on mortgages for newcomers to B.C.
- Visit financial institutions like RBC, TD, Scotiabank or a Credit Union for newcomer mortgage programs and book a meeting with a mortgage advisor.
- BC Housing can help you find out about affordable housing and first-time home buyer programs.
In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, students benefit from a dynamic public and private education system that nurtures curiosity, supports diverse learning styles, and fosters a strong sense of community from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Learn more on the Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows School District.
Tip: Ensure you have all the documentation needed to register your children in school:
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residence (home address)
The child care facilities listed here are licensed by Fraser Health. This list is regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act of B.C. and is updated approximately every four months.
Outdoor Adventures
Maple Ridge:
- Things to Do in Maple Ridge
- Family Friendly Activities
- Recreation Facilities
- Recreation Programs
- City Sports
Pitt Meadows
Parks and Trails
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows offer a peaceful escape just an hour from Vancouver, with stunning mountain views and endless outdoor adventure. From scenic hikes and wildlife viewing to exploring 21.5 km of the world-famous Trans Canada Trail, there’s something for every age and ability to enjoy.
Check out parks and trails in:
Golf Courses
From the scenic fairways of Meadow Gardens Golf Club and Pitt Meadows Golf Club to the world-class courses at Swaneset Bay Resort, there’s something for every skill level. Whether you’re after a casual round or a championship challenge, these communities offer lush greens, mountain views, and year-round play.
Click here for a full list of courses in Pitt Meadows.
Click here for a full list of courses in Maple Ridge.
Arts and Theatre
Maple Ridge:
Pitt Meadows
Local events
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows serve up a delicious mix of culinary experiences—from farm-fresh fare and cozy craft breweries to global flavours and elegant riverfront dining, there’s something to satisfy every craving. Check out local dining options in:
- Vancouver – 45 minutes by car
- Abbotsford – 35 minutes
- Burnaby – 40 minutes by car
- Richmond – 60 minutes by car
- Whistler – 2+ hours drive by car
- USA Border – 50 minutes by car
Click here to find information on schedules, routes and pricing.
The only way to get to Vancouver Island from the mainland is by ferry or airplane.
Ferry
The main ferry services are run by BC Ferries, which operates vessels between these ferry terminals:
- Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (for Victoria)
- Tsawwassen and Duke Point (Nanaimo)
- Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Seaplane
You can take a seaplane between the downtown Vancouver and Victoria harbours through Harbour Air.
Airplane
You can take a commercial airline and fly between Vancouver International Airport and Victoria International Airport.
Area Facts
Located on the north side of the Fraser River with the Township of Langley across, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are nestled at the south end of the famous Garibaldi Coast mountain ranges. These unified communities are easily accessible via the Golden Ears bridge and major highways from neighbouring cities. A destination along the scenic highway 7 (Scenic Route 7), Maple Ridge borders Port-Coquitlam (Tri-Cities) to the west and the rural city of Mission to the east, and is only 45 minutes (40 km) from Vancouver’s city centre and 30 minutes to the USA border.
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are home to over 100,000 residents.
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows have a number of public and private schools from kindergarten through to grade 12.
Post-secondary education is available through BCIT and Douglas College satellite campuses, and a number of continuing education and workplace skills training programs.
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows boast a scenic backdrop with access to stunning lakes and picturesque hiking making the city a destination for tourism and film/television industries. Other prosperous sectors include commercial and retail, construction and real-estate development, agriculture, food and beverage, manufacturing, and technology.
Things To Do
There is no shortage of scenic outings in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Visit Golden Ears Provincial Park, one of the largest in the province, with an extensive network of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Spend the day kayaking or fishing on one of the many other lakes in the area, such as Alouette Lake, or visit a local golf course, museum, or take the kids to WildPlay for a day of ziplining adventures and courses. Home to numerous species of wildlife, discover the wide-spread diking network throughout the communities on foot or bicycle.
Explore Our Region
Maple Ridge borders Port-Coquitlam (Tri-Cities) to the west and the rural city of Mission to the east, and is only 45 minutes (40 km) from Vancouver’s city centre.
Ridge Meadows Hospital
Ridge Meadows Hospital has 192 acute care beds. As a community hospital, it provides primary and secondary acute care and specialty services including 24/7 emergency, ambulatory care, day surgery, general and internal medicine, rehabilitation, maternity care, general surgery, orthopedics, urology, critical care, pharmacy, medical imaging, and a medical laboratory for both inpatient and outpatient needs. The site also offers a continuum of adult psychiatric and social services available on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
In 2016/17, Ridge Meadows Hospital had 40,338 emergency visits, provided care to 6,710 inpatient and 9,113 surgical daycare cases, delivered 765 newborns, and saw 93,082 visits to ambulatory care.
Ridge Meadows Hospital is the local community hospital for both Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, but with the network nature of Fraser Health’s care community, local residents access services at Ridge Meadows Hospital as well as other Fraser Health hospitals.
Ridge Meadows Hospital
Ridge Meadows Hospital
11666 Laity St, Maple Ridge, BC, V2X 7G5, Canada
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