Need help about Coquitlam
 

Hi,
We have posted many times about our situation in Mission BC. We are city people and we are finding Mission a tad depressing- have been for a while. Main reason for Mission was we could afford a decent size house for less money. Are there expats on this forum who could help us with our decision. Our choices are sell up here and move to Coquitlam and rent for a while while I find full time work or move to a different province. This is a tough decision as we have 3 children, 1 already in grade2 and my hubby has a permanent teaching contract In Maple Ridge. I do know however that we have given it 4 years and it is not working. Help please!!!

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Coquitlam will get you nearer vancouver, but not sure I'd find it less depressing than Mission. It's sprawling malls and uninspiring housing developments from what I can see - maybe there are some nicer bits that I've not seen.

Funny, I'm making the opposite move. Vancouver is annoying me now, so I'm heading further up the valley although staying this side of hayward like (which is technically Mission, but only just).

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Are looking for city or rural? There are some nice areas around Mission that are quite rural. Coquitlam is too much of a sprawling mess for us. Have you taken a look around Haney and Pitt Meadows?

Do you think another province is going to fix anything? There are still drab towns, sprawling urban areas and rural areas.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

We are looking for something bigger than Mission and way more going on there so more city than rural. I find the mentality that goes with a small town very stifling. We are looking for more anonimity and do things without every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing. We have always had Halifax at the back of our minds. We have friends there and we could have a decent house on the edge of city.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

As you say, four years is enough to know that Mission is not working for you. Will somewhere like Coquitlam be any better for you? No one really knows so renting there for a while seems a good idea.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Isn't much of our happiness in a place ultimately tied to employment? If Mr LouisD is a teacher and has a permanent contract (although isn't that an oxymoron?) then you need to carefully consider how quickly he would get a permanent position elsewhere in BC/Canada. Our own happiness level is partly tied to Mrs AX's status on getting a contract or, since its about bloody time, a permanent teaching position. It makes for stressful summers.:(

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

But....could you get jobs in Halifax? And would you find it as small town? (I know posters that are moving from their because of that.)

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

House size seems to be high on your agenda so i'd suggest moving further from Vancouver. You seem to be gravitating to Halifax so why not give it a go?

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Hi Mr AX,
yes you are right and it does depend on employment. We could risk it and just go to NS and hope for the best or we could stay where we are. But we are argueing all the time and stressed out because we are not where we feel home. I think we have to leave Mission. His contract means that we could try somewhere else in the lower mainland but it has to have more life and a different mentality.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

But Halifax itself is not 'small town'?

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

You know what we have been going on and on about this subject for a while so maybe we should El-Richo. Thanks for that.:)

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Try Burnaby. Much closer to the buzz but he'll have a longer commute than he does now.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Is Burnaby nicer than Coquitlam? I know it 's nearer Vancouver but I don't really know much else about it.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Ultimately, if i were you, i'd have a "recce" in areas closer to Downtown Vancouver. Looking at affordability, lifestyle, commute time to Maple Ridge, etc.

If anything floats your boat then seriously look into it. This would be the much simpler option.

If nothing tickles your fancy, and your family life is strained, and you can afford the risk, then why not head to where you believe you want to be.

If neither option works, maybe Canada isn't for you. You can't force yourself to love something, unfortunately, not matter how much you want to.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

It's actually not that bad. I've been driving to/from maple ridge a lot lately and the biggest pain in the arse is getting to the highway from down town. Commuting to MR from burnaby will mean going against the traffic in rush hour so it might be ok.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

I think so, yes. Coquitlam really is ugly sprawl to me. I'd assume property may be slightly cheaper but if you're looking to be closer to the action then i would suggest you look at Burnaby. I'd hazard a guess that the population of Burnaby and Halifax wouldn't be hugely different. I could be wrong though.

Plus it has the Public Transport infrastructure.

Take some time to look around.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody all have their own vibe but are predominantly suburban cities. Everyone has their own wants but I always feel that Mission is in the back of beyond. Maybe a move to suburbia will work for the OP's family.

Only one way to find out - and it's a lot cheaper than moving across the country.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

You have a point.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

ha ha .. it's the vibe that we're after, too, because there is a limited one in Mission, or, if it exists at all, it's too 'hicky' ... of course, this will change bujt whether it happens in our lifetime or at a time when we're just too fed up any more remains to be seen.

Halifax and its environs seem to offer the following:
city feel and size (small city but with something city-like to offer)
large plots within easy city commute and affordable
good schooling (allegedly)


but without the prospect of secure employment, it'd be a risk so I'll have to research and really apply myself to getting and keeping gainful employment. Doing this takes much time during which we might all go mad with frustration ... we also don't want to feel trapped by being in a place almost 5 years and deciding we can't move on now because kids are getting older ... it's Mr Lousid this time, btw.... Mrs has been responsible for all previous posts on this thread ... we both feel the same, however.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

With the Golden Ears up and going now, take a look over the river, Walnut Grove, Langley.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

That's been in the back of my mind, too. We certainly have choices but, having made so many bad ones in times past, we need to be closer to getting it right this time. Expect more posts with more questions and asking for more ideas (plus our own research) before we are in a better mental position. Thanks to all for the replies so far. Keep 'em coming - it all helps, seriously.

So, Walnut Grovers, what's it REALLY like out there in the big L?

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

From the places you have mentioned so far, Langley WG is the only one that would appeal to me. Renting gives much more flexibility, so may not be a bad idea for 6 months to see how you get on. We lived in Abby for many years and all the friends we had in Mission we looking to go somewhere else.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Thanks Aviator,
Your post makes sense to us when you mention others all wanting to get out of here, too. It can't simply be us, then, can it? There are days we love it here and more days than countable when we can't handle it anymore. Much of the issue resides in us as itchy-feet people, but it's that missing something that we now appreciate from our UK lives that is causing us issues. However, after such an investment in time, effort, emotion and money coming over, we don't want to give up too readily so renting elsewhere while keeping my work in MR will be a good step. It's out poor 7 yr old we fret about. He's been shoved from pillar to post and it's simply not fair on him, but we can't see ourselves in this place much longer ... better to do it once more to him while he's in elementary and not high school when resentment will become a feature. Not pleasant to imagine.

If we're happier about our combined circumstances, so too will the kids be. Living on here so he can continue his happy schooling while being miserable ourselves won't work, will it? There are two other little ones coming up, too. It's all a mess. When we look back at our perceived notions for moving from Cardiff in the first place, we kick ourselves ... and then get constant reminders about how gritty life is there, too, for so many. However, it's a case of one's perceptions isn't it? Maybe our perception of Mission is skewed? (probably not - it's been four bloddy years already) ... more Langley comments anyone?

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

There are some nice bits of Langley. I particularly like Fort Langley to visit. However, if it is the Valley mentality you want to get away from then Langley is the most Valley like part of Metro Vancouver. It might not be too much of a change of scene.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

C'mon, Langley or Mission? Not even close. Personally Langley is not for me, but it is way up from Mission. Mission is the town that never was.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Can't argue with that.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

As a matter of interest, where did your friends from Mission go?
BTW it's Mrs Lousid on this now. We are taking turns!!!

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Mexico

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

are you serious???

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Originally from Langley the moved to Mission and lived out north of Hatzic Lake and loved it (Miracle Valley). Then moved up on the hill at the back of town, a newish sub division and loathed it. They were gong back to Langley but became missionaries and went to Mexico instead. Probably not quite what you had in mind eh. :)

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

I dunno! I quite like the sound of that!!:lol:

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Walnut Grove is not at all bad an area and close proximity to amenities. Our kids grew up and were OK in Abbotsford. Not sure I would move back there though now. We're out at Ryder Lake, dark skies, peaceful, no traffic. Bears and wildlife abound.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

One of the guys I work with in Burnaby lives in MR and says going home is about 45 mins and that's with the heavier traffic.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Outside of Vancouver for me it's:

North Van
North Burnaby
Steveston Village
White Rock (at least in the summer)
and if I had to, Port Moody.

Personally I'd forget the rest if you are looking for any kind of a vibe

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Thanks dboy for the info. We certainly couldn't buy in these places. We would rent for a while. Maybe that's the way to go.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

But the issue stands that if you're unable to buy, and would like to, you'll be moving your kid around again like a gypsy and potentially living in an area you're not content with.

For his sake, and yours, make sure your next move is well thought out and permanent. Whether this is Metro Vancouver, Halifax, or the UK.

Just don't try to force something that isn't there. Also don't forget, moving to the UK is NOT a step backwards if it's the right decision for you.

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

By the way, out of curiosity, which school does he teach at in MR?

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

Coquitlam's not that bad. I don't think it's as hick as Mission, anyway. It's urbanizing fast and pretty diverse. Plenty of shopping (for example). As far as malls go, it has one of the best in the LM in my opinion with the widest range of stores. If you are into malls, that is. First place for H&M, for example - interesting choice I thought, but there are big Korean, chinese etc. communities there and a lot of $$$ and it's a destination for a lot of people, whereas Mission...??? um yeah. Tranlink et al seem fairly serious about the Evergreen Skytrain line going in - they're looking for partners now. If that happens prices will go up. Might be a good choice from that POV. They seem to be trying to do something similar to Port Moody with having condos over retail - Port Coquitlam is also starting down this road.

I love living in Burnaby, but I'm in north burnaby. Not sure about the rest of it. THe nice thing about living here is that it's very central - close to Van, (from where I am, about 15 mins by car) but also not far from the rest of metro van. House prices here are not kind though.

I've never lived in Langley, only visited friends there. It's not my cup of tea at all. Too suburban/sprawly/lacking in urban vibe for me, including Walnut Grove. A lot of very cookie cutter developments on top of each other. Though, have a coworker who moved out of Langley due it becoming 'too built up' who then moved to Mission.

Am drunk again, FYI, so if none of this makes sense it's the Corona

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

SRT Do you know it or someone there?

Re: Need help about Coquitlam
 

I really appreciate your being frank. We have moved our lad a lot and that is why it is important we get the next move right.