Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

Hi
Anyone live in Coquitlam or Port Coquitlam. Just wondered what its like? I passed through there on the bus to Vancouver and thought it may make an OK base to be in Vancouver without paying the housing prices of that city?
I have no idea what amenities it has except for a public transport link to the city.
Any feedback would be useful.
thanks
Mawb66

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

Absolutely fine as a suburban base. Plentiful selection of more affordable housing and all the amenities you are likely to need. Only downside I can think of is the drive into Vancouver in rush hour can be brutal. There is the existing commuter rail service as you know. In the next few years there will be an additional light rail mass transit line.

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

Hi . I was recently looking at Coquitlam as a base also . For the same reasons as are stated here . I had actually spotted a place online near the Lougheed Centre . All I can tell you is that I was advised by my future employer that Port Moody would be better but for a quieter more suburban life for myself and family to try South Delta , South Surrey , Langley . I am now looking at South Surrey / Cloverdale / Langley .

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

I agree with your future employer. By South Delta I assume they mean Tsawwassen. This, and South Surrey are two of the more desirable places to live. I lived in Cloverdale for a few years before moving to White Rock (which is a small city within South Surrey). Cloverdale and much of the newer parts of Langley are also fine as a place to live in the suburbs. There is a lot of new housing. I would put Cloverdale and Langley on a par with Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.

So much depends upon where you will work and how you will commute.

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

I dont want to hijack the thread but ... We are going to rent for maybe a year before buying ( I see there are some lovely townhouses for sale in Clayton ) As I said ,looking to rent in South Surrey/Langley .My office is in South Burnaby .What would the drive be like in morn ? Alot of rental properties in Newton , whats it like ? We have 2 small dogs ,I think they are going to cause problems as 99.9% of properties on the net say No Pets . Maybe have to try and leave them behind for a year until we buy . What do you think ? Nice one Jon Boye

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

JonboyE jnr. went to school at Clayton Elementary. It's a great school.

It takes me 35 minutes to drive door to door from White Rock to North Richmond if I leave around 7.15 am. South Burnaby involves another river crossing so you need to add another 10-15 minutes. Say an hour to be comfortable to start with and 45-50 minutes when you get used to it. A similar time from Cloverdale.

I wouldn't commit to Newton until you have been there to view. Some of it is OK, some of it is not that great.

You can find rental properties that will accept pets, but they are much harder to find, and they they might not be as pristine as a no pet place. The larger the dog the more difficult it is. Craig's list is the place to look and you can search for rentals that do accept dogs

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

There seem to be nearly as many people venting their frustrations about finding accomodation with pets on craigslist as there are ads accepting them !

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

If your office is in S. Burnaby, I would be inclined to look for housing in PoCo, Coquitlam or Port Moody to save the aggravation of commuting across a birdge every day from Surrey. You would then have several routes to pick from to get to work, ie freeway, Lougheed Highway or Barnet Highway. Avoid Newton.

Just a thought.

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

How about New Westminster?,you can take the public transit to work and it is
only 1 zone fare.

Yoong

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

My original idea was to live in Coquitlam , Port Co . OR Port Moody . Because of public transport benefits etc .... as I said my employer suggested heading south . I still would not be against Co/Port areas . The problem is I dont know what they are like ... Get the impression that Co is a v built up City . Are there quiet/suburban areas of Coquitlam/Port Moody/Port Coquitlam ? My wife and 2 kids will spend their days at home when I m at work and she doesnt drive YET . I know there is a railway and skytrain servicing these areas so if suitably quiet and more convenient as reqards public transport I may reconsider .

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

Oh Yeah I would have to drive to work as my job would involve travel during the day . Construction Site Manager .

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

There are nice areas in all the tri Cities, you need to look around for yourself. Very high end housing to low cost housing, it depends what you want. Everywhere in the lower mainland is getting built up. I can think of really nice places in all three cities that I'd live in, and all close to transit plus nature trails. I live further out in Maple Ridge, which is cheaper housing but further commute. Try the Brits2Vancouver site, there are quite a few people on there who live in PoCo/Coquitlam/PoMo and they could give you the info you are looking for.

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

So whats Maple Ridge like ? How far would it be from Burnaby ? At the moment I drive 1 hour to work . Its fine .

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

Do you know if you get any more-than-usual aircraft noise in this area?

Re: Coquitlam -what's it like.
 

I can't say that I have noticed any, but a few months back some South Surrey residents complained after NavCan rerouted one of the approaches to YVR on a trial basis. The situation is currently under review. It must have been quite localized.