gulbird

Can anyone please share experienceliving in Walnut grove, near langley? What would be commute like to burnaby in the present days? We are planning a move from UK and would appreciate some advice.

what is best way to look for house rentals? In UK, it usually through estate agents.

withabix

Walnut Grove is handy for HW1. Houses are generally late 1980s/early 1990s. Older population typically, from what I've seen, due to the large number of townhouse complexes.

Commuting to Burnaby depends on where in Burnaby...

gulbird

I do not have clear idea of the location lets assume near BC institute of technology

JonboyE

Local paper classified and (you are looking at BC?) Craigslist. Craigslist is the best source but keep your wits about you. Something that looks too good to be true usually is. Be very wary of a an offer to rent sight unseen, especially if it involves you paying a deposit. Be particularly wary if the landlord happens to be overseas and will mail you a key on receipt of the deposit.

Some real estate agents also do rentals but it is not that common.

withabix

Probably 45 minutes on a typical day to there from Walnut Grove. Probably 30 minutes going back.

JonboyE

IMO Walnut Grove is pleasant enough suburbia. There is nothing much there other than dormitory subdivisions. It is close to Fort Langley, which I like, and close to Langley City which has all the shops and stores you will need. You will likely need a car for each adult. As a place to rent while you find your feet it is fine.

The easiest commute to BCIT is using Highway 1 as withabix suggests. I involves a tolled bridge crossing ($3.15 each way) though the time saving is usually worth it. It is tough to give an average commute time as it depends on the time of day. During the rush hour the stretch around Burnaby Lake can get congested.

Aviator

...and the stretch eastbound around 200 st gets jammed up, the HOV gets funneled into the TCH just past 200 st and it causes mayhem.

gulbird

And the other option we could come up with is V4R4X4, any one from nearby or with any feedback again please?
living in there:
commute to burnaby-me
commute to Surrey- OH
Kids go to meadow ridge

withabix

Personally I would choose Maple Ridge over other areas south of the river. More for your money in terms of house, better location in terms of access to nature and also a route to Vancouver without crossing a toll bridge. Skytrain will also be fairly close next year (Coquitlam - Evergreen Line).

Try Silver Valley and Albion as well as the postcode area you listed (Cottonwood). From a commute point of view I would actually choose Silver Valley, because you can avoid all of Maple Ridge on the commute - direct access to Golden Ears Bridge and also via Old Dewdney Trunk Road to the Pitt River Bridge. You will find that a lot of Silver Valley residents chose that location partly for that reason.

My wife used to commute to 152St/32Ave area of Surrey in about 45 minutes each way, although obviously there is the Golden Ears bridge toll to pay.

The commute along HW7 to Burnaby will be a bit worse, although no tolls to pay. Things may improve a bit next year when the Evergreen Line opens out to Coquitlam, as that may take some traffic off the road.

scottymallo

Walnut Grove is a nice area to live. BC property prices have sky rocketed this year. Lots of property owners have turfed out their tenants so they can pull out their profits. There is very little choice for renters at the moment, everything coming up is snapped up quickly. Expect to pay $2000 + for a 3 bedroom rental property in this area.
As stated above Maple Ridge maybe be more affordable. Chilliwack is another option but it will be a 1 hour + commute.