Why live in Port Coquitlam?
Port Coquitlam, or PoCo, as it’s affectionately called by the locals, is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, just 30 minutes east of downtown Vancouver. Situated on the Fraser and Pitt Rivers, Port Coquitlam is one of the “Tri-Cities,” alongside Surrey and Port Moody. A relatively small municipality, Port Coquitlam is home to just over 60,000 residents, which is significantly smaller than the neighbouring city of Surrey, which has a population of over 500,000. However, the area’s smaller size undoubtedly contributes to its charm. There is a stronger sense of community in Port Coquitlam, which can make it an easier place to move to, especially if you don’t know anyone in the area to begin with. It’s also safer and quieter than other parts of Metro Vancouver, which makes it ideal for families. Plus, Port Coquitlam has highly-rated schools (the public schools in the area are operated by School District No. 43), and an abundance of housing opportunities, including single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and more. There are also several family-friendly attractions in the area, like Colony Farm Regional Park, Gates Park, as well as several libraries, playgrounds, skate parks, community centres, bowling alleys, mini golf courses, and more. If getting outdoors is more your thing, you won’t be disappointed by Port Coquitlam’s many parks and trails, including the 25-kilometre Traboulay PoCo Trail. The only downside of Port Coquitlam is that its close proximity to Vancouver and family-friendly amenities make it a highly desirable place to live, which has driven housing prices off. This means that renting or buying here will cost you. But if you can afford it, there is so much to love about this Metro Vancouver community. Lastly, public transit in Vancouver does not stretch to Port Coquitlam, meaning there is no SkyTrain access. That said, the SkyTrain does have a stop in Surrey and the West Coast Express train service connects downtown Vancouver with Port Coquitlam.
Quality and diversity of education in Port Coquitlam
British Columbia School District No. 43 is the district that runs the public elementary and secondary schools for all three Tri-Cities, including Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody, and the villages of Anmore and Belcarra. In total this school district operates 70 schools in the region. When it comes time to enrol in post-secondary education in Port Coquitlam, there are several nearby options, the most prominent of which is Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. The University of British Columbia, Capilano University, Vancouver Film School, the Art Institute of Vancouver, and the Emily Carr University of Art + Design are also nearby.
Most populous cities in Port Coquitlam
The five most populous neighbourhoods in Port Coquitlam are Oxford Heights, Mary Hill, Sun Valley, Birchland Manor, and Lincoln Park.
Quality of infrastructure for Port Coquitlam
The City of Port Coquitlam offers public transportation to residents through Metro Vancouver’s TransLink system. There are multiple bus routes running through this area. However, there is no SkyTrain access as of yet. That said, the SkyTrain does have a stop in Surrey and multiple stops in Port Moody, and the West Coast Express train service connects Port Coquitlam with downtown Vancouver. Both Highway 7 and the Trans Canada Highway are easily accessible by car from Port Coquitlam, which can get residents into downtown Vancouver, Vancouver International Airport, as well as further north to Squamish or east to the Interior. The nearest major hospital to Port Coquitlam is Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody. That said, Surry Memorial Hospital and others, like Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital are not far away.
Safety and security for Port Coquitlam
The Coquitlam contingency of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is responsible for keeping Port Coquitlam residents safe. That said, overall crime rates are low, especially violent crimes. In case of an emergency, residents should always call 9-1-1.
Port Coquitlam property market
The Port Coquitlam property market is booming, due to its central location, safe, family-oriented communities, and picturesque beauty. Thus, if you’re interested in buying a home in the Metro Vancouver Area, Port Coquitlam might make a lot of financial sense. The types of properties that you can expect to find here include bungalows, detached homes, semi-detached homes, apartments, townhomes, condos, and more.
Standard of living in Port Coquitlam
Port Coquitlam has a high standard of living, thanks to its proximity to nature, relative affordability, and small-town feel (the city is home to just 60,000 residents, after all). Plus, it is considered to be part of Vancouver, which was recently ranked as the fifth most liveable city in the world according to The Global Liveability Index. The Index’s 2023 Liveability Report analyzed cities worldwide in categories like stability, healthcare, culture & environment, and education, and Vancouver earned the fifth slot.
Something wonderful about Port Coquitlam
Anyone who’s had the pleasure of visiting or living in Port Coquitlam has likely had the pleasure of walking the Traboulay PoCo Trail. This trail, which spans 25.3 kilometres and surrounds the city, was first established in 1970 by a group known as the “PoCo Trail Blazers.” The Traboulay PoCo Trail passes through the Coquitlam River and sits adjacent to the Fraser River and Pitt River. It features a mix of scenery, from farmland and marshes to meadows and mountains, as well as all kinds of wildlife, including bears during the salmon run.
