Coquitlam or Langley
 

My husband will be starting a job where his work will be all over the Vancouver Lower Mainland. We are are looking at finding a rental in either Langley or Coquitlam / port Coquitlam. Can anyone give me their views on the areas, we are looking for good high schools, safe areas and affordable housing. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Quite comparable communities. If you like one, you will likely like the other.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Take a look at Walnut Grove too.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

So as not to confuse the OP, Walnut Grove is a part of the Township of Langley

http://www.tol.ca/LandUseandDevelopm...bourhoods.aspx

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Langley or Port Coquitlam are more affordable than Coquitlam.

Oh I see you're renting...never mind then.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Langley is drier.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Drier sounds good!! We will be renting for 6 months to a year and then buying, but don't want to be moving areas because of the kids being settled in High School.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Have you read this wiki article? http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Vancouver

It is more detailed about Langley than Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam (hint for any readers in that area).

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

And a bit nicer imo.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

If you want to be close to mountains and skiing, Port Coquitlam is your place. If you want a more drier less mountainous area closer to the beach, Langley is your area.

Other than that, i don't really see much difference when i'm driving through although i think Langley is a little nicer. On a day to day basis i would imagine they're very alike however.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Both places are fine.

I'm a big fan of Wikipedia when it comes to looking up background info on neighbourhoods in BC. The articles on Coquitlam and Langley offer in depth overviews (including climate, geography, economy, demographics, etc.) that I find give you a better sense of what to expect:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coquitlam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langley...unicipality%29

I haven't spent much time in Coquitlam, other than to drive through it to get to Port Moody's Belcarra Park. Nothing particularly stands out in my mind - it seems like your standard middle class suburb. Unlike Langley, it's rather hilly. It overlooks Burrard Inlet which offers scenic vistas.

Langley is on the south side of the Fraser River and spans all the way to the US border. It's really a large rural agricultural region with a massive highway (Hwy 1) carving its way across. The area's traditionally a farming region, but a lot of that farmland has turned into suburban neighbourhoods.

Langley is home to Fort Langley - a former fur trade post which is where the first Europeans settlement of the Lower Mainland took place. Fort Langley is a cute historic village.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

I live in Coquitlam, right on the border of Port Coquitlam. I like it here. I think schools are generally pretty good although of course it depends on the specific area like most places. Langley has some nice parts too, though I think of it as "further out" from Vancouver. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions:)

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Ahem http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Help:Contents :)

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

Hwy 1 is far from being massive. I have been on city streets with more lanes then Hwy 1.

If using transit at all, Coquitlam is better then Langley, its on the West Coast Express line and is only a 45 minute bus ride to downtown, depending where in Langley one is, it could take a couple hours when using transit.

Re: Coquitlam or Langley
 

I honestly don't mind either place but would you really leave the UK to live in either? Really? I would want a very, very, very large salary.