Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
#16
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
I wouldn't be working in Vancouver itself - so would only go there occasionally. Yeah - I was suprised at 10 trains/day on the WCE!!! The car is obviously king in North America.... I thought the west coast was more environmentally aware - but I suppose Europe is hundreds of years ahead in the public transport department.
Transit is geared to get people into downtown from the burbs for work, and back out of downtown to go home, outside of those hours, the demand isn't there for those trains, and they are pricey to run, and transit money scarce.
People need to live closer to work and not commute these huge distances for work.
#17
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
I'm commuting for 1 hour across London, UK for work at the moment - but it's part of the reason I'm leaving - so there is no way I'll be working too far from where I live - hence the thread.
Very helpful replies re: Langley/MR etc... Out of these areas which one has the easiest access to green spaces where I can spend my time off? I'm guessing MR (loving the fact about how much wildlife there is around!)
#18
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
Fair enough - I wondered whether those trains would be jam packed in the mornings/evenings. Anyway - I won't be commuting to downtown anyway - so a moot point. I guess lots of people don't want to live in a tiny apartment block and hence they chose to live further out.
I'm commuting for 1 hour across London, UK for work at the moment - but it's part of the reason I'm leaving - so there is no way I'll be working too far from where I live - hence the thread.
Very helpful replies re: Langley/MR etc... Out of these areas which one has the easiest access to green spaces where I can spend my time off? I'm guessing MR (loving the fact about how much wildlife there is around!)
I'm commuting for 1 hour across London, UK for work at the moment - but it's part of the reason I'm leaving - so there is no way I'll be working too far from where I live - hence the thread.
Very helpful replies re: Langley/MR etc... Out of these areas which one has the easiest access to green spaces where I can spend my time off? I'm guessing MR (loving the fact about how much wildlife there is around!)
I used to take it Mission to Vancouver, and I never saw the trains packed, always a seat to be found, full yes, but not packed to the gills like sardines.
It became too costly for me, so I had to revert to buses which was a long trek, 2 to 2 1/2 hours depending on time of day.
#19
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
Sounds terrible Jsmth321 - 5 hours/day travelling enough to drive anyone crazy. How was it living in Mission (when you were actually there)?
#20
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
The commute may have even been longer, I went Maple Ridge from the last stop in MR way out east to YVR-South terminal.
I got a ride to the bus stop, then took 701 to Coquitlam, then 160 to Vancouver, then the Canada Line to Bridgeport in Richmond, and then the C92.
I started work at 7am and first bus left around 4:15am and if all went well and nothing was late (I missed a 160 more then once because of traffic) I'd arrive around 630am.
Google says the trip takes 2hr and 26 minutes.
Google says 55 mins to 1 hour 10 mins by car.
If taking transit just to downtown, it takes around 1 hour 37 mins to just shy of 2 hours depending how you go.
Transit from MR is just a long long day and not worth it if your having to commute into the city.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Jun 2nd 2015 at 2:55 pm.
#21
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
I wouldn't be working in Vancouver itself - so would only go there occasionally. Yeah - I was suprised at 10 trains/day on the WCE!!! The car is obviously king in North America.... I thought the west coast was more environmentally aware - but I suppose Europe is hundreds of years ahead in the public transport department.
Last edited by Lychee; Jun 2nd 2015 at 3:33 pm.
#22
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
By comparison, Burnaby has higher population density so public transit is much more efficient, and you could strategically move somewhere near a Skytrain line and not need to use a car. There's a more urban feel to Burnaby with a large Asian demographic with restaurants to match. Langley is suburban and white by comparison, a place where you notice a lot of young mothers, where kids graduate high school and get married and settle down, and you would definitely need a car to get around. It is a car culture in Langley. A nice place - pastoral, quaint in areas, but extremely suburban sprawl-y. If you're seeking a suburban lifestyle where you need a car for everything, you don't mind chain restaurants, big box stores, and strip malls, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, etc. may be okay. If you want public transit, diversity of demographics, restaurants, more of an urban feel, Burnaby, Richmond, or Vancouver proper should be seriously considered. There are many micro cultures within Metro Vancouver. Don't underestimate that.
Last edited by Lychee; Jun 2nd 2015 at 3:41 pm.
#23
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
skilovernat, perhaps if you listed a brief criteria of what you're seeking (ex: local culture, types of shops, walking distance to amenities, types of amenities, local values, public transit options, the atmosphere of the place), we can point you in the right direction. Ideally, as you are not locked down, what lifestyle do you hope to live? Describe it for us!
#24
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
I now live in the NE corner of Maple Ridge and can get to or from work in Walnut Grove in 20 minutes flat, sometimes even less.
That's faster than I could get there from the south or east sides of Langley.
OK, my employer has to pay $6 per day in tolls for that, so I don't have to factor that in.
Yes, there are traffic jams in two or three locations in Maple Ridge, but they are mainly caused by poorly sequenced traffic signals rather than lack of road capacity and are very easy to avoid, it's just that most people seem to like sitting in the jams rather than being a little more creative in their choice of route.
That's faster than I could get there from the south or east sides of Langley.
OK, my employer has to pay $6 per day in tolls for that, so I don't have to factor that in.
Yes, there are traffic jams in two or three locations in Maple Ridge, but they are mainly caused by poorly sequenced traffic signals rather than lack of road capacity and are very easy to avoid, it's just that most people seem to like sitting in the jams rather than being a little more creative in their choice of route.
#25
Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
That is a matter of opinion!
Another opinion is that Langley is overcrowded, has far too much traffic and unless you live close to a HW1 intersection, takes a long time to get anywhere...
Everything built in the last 10 years (i.e. north of 64 Ave) are identikit matchbox houses on tiny plots.
Another opinion is that Langley is overcrowded, has far too much traffic and unless you live close to a HW1 intersection, takes a long time to get anywhere...
Everything built in the last 10 years (i.e. north of 64 Ave) are identikit matchbox houses on tiny plots.
Looks kind of like a slightly more damp Brazilian Favela
#26
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
It was built to a design first used near the bus interchange in downtown Langley
Lets face it, every single large community in the Lower Mainland has at least two of these.
#28
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
But for areas like Coquitlam and Port Moody, there is a new Sky train completing in 2016.
I ASSUME this will improve the commuting options for people near stations?
They are also closer than MR or Langley
I ASSUME this will improve the commuting options for people near stations?
They are also closer than MR or Langley
#29
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
I'd still take Maple Ridge for the less un-affordable 3000 square foot Single Family Home that everyone in BC thinks they should have.
But then I don't need to commute to Vancouver!
Compare that to my 800-900 square foot 3 bedroom Detached House that I had in the UK that was adequate in size But apparently it is actually impossible to live in anything that small in Canada....
Last edited by withabix; Jun 2nd 2015 at 10:32 pm.
#30
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Re: Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows/Coquitlam pros/cons?
skilovernat, perhaps if you listed a brief criteria of what you're seeking (ex: local culture, types of shops, walking distance to amenities, types of amenities, local values, public transit options, the atmosphere of the place), we can point you in the right direction. Ideally, as you are not locked down, what lifestyle do you hope to live? Describe it for us!
Big wide streets.
Not hearing your neighbour (currently we can hear our neighbour's snoring/TV urgh!!!).
Green open spaces ideally within walking distance so I can cycle/run/walk the theoretical dog.
Easy access to kayaking/fishing/boating/moutain biking.
Less than 2 hours to ski.
In a place with lots of independent cafés/restaurants/arts scene... not just chains.
Realistic?...
Or am I asking too much.