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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

SRT Do you know it or someone there?

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.

Not SRT. I'm good friends with the recently retired Principal, and another teacher at Garibaldi. My father in law is also a retired teacher from Maple Ridge Secondary and i know the principal of Continuing Ed in Mission.

So when i'm in Maple Ridge, i'm usually surrounding by teachers, or ex teachers

I lived in coquitlam for 6 months and hated it. But i was single at the time and living alone in the middle of suburbia.

I had to drive everywhere and felt like i was living in the middle of a giant mall. the development I lived on was very nice though with some very nice homes and backed on to a nature reserve.

For a young family who's lives revolves around kids and family it might be suffice, but lacks any kind of vibe. Same strip malls, restaurants (Earls etc) and stores.

Port Moody is a step up, but still too much of the burbs for me.

Can you perhaps consider a townhouse rather than a house? Or even a larger apartment to compromise on location? You'd be surprised at the size of some (bigger than typical UK houses from my experience). My friend bought a 2700 sq ft townhouse in Port Moody that feels like a detached house?

Yes we would def be looking at apartment especially if we were buying as we certainly could not afford any house. Thanks dboy. In your opinion, is Coquitlam a step up from Mission or is it a better version of the same thing- which I think means the same!!!???

Mission is more "Deliverance" Coquitlam more Stepford Wives, much like Langley. Nothing wrong with them really, as I said there are some very nice houses, but it has that built last Wednesday feel and lacks the edginess of a city, few independent businesses etc.

I would imagine Coquitlam is very efficient for kids and trips to the mall. It is closer to Vancouver and if the Evergreen Line gets built will be even easier.

If i personally had to pick I'd pick Coquitlam

Lol!!!! Great analogy! Thanks dboy.