Coquitlam – What you need to know
photo credit: black_wave
Now that we’ve been in Port Moody / Coquitlam for two months now, we’ve really started to discover a lot of the areas hidden attractions.
The best part of Coquitlam is north of the mall (you can’t miss it) – everything north of the Lougheed Highway.
Here’s our list of the top 5 things to know about living in Coquitlam:
1) Finding a rental in Coquitlam isn’t easy – but there are lots. Web searches yield poor results and crappy sites. Drive the area and talk to a realtor… failing that Craigs list works well.
2) The great restaurants are a bit hidden – don’t miss Rosa’s Cucina Italiana. It’s is a small, family-owned and operated Italian restaurant in downtown Port Moody. The mom and pop-type eatery is popular for its homemade pastas and large portions and as such draws a regular crowd. Arrive early or later (open from 4-10PM – no reservations often mean there are lines at the door once the place fills up.
Address: 2301 Clarke St. Port Moody
3) Nature is everywhere. Bike paths hiking, lakes and the list goes on. There is a road at the back of Coquitlam that takes you on a nature drive that is second to none… go north on Coast Meridan Road – you’ll end up in Pinecone Lake / Burke Mountain Park (motorbike is even better).
4) It snows on the Westwood Plateau / Heritage Mountain… and the best homes are just above the snowline. The sacrifice for the view is well worth it.
5) The Coquitlam schools and Port Moody ones are overloaded.. we had to go to three to find a spot for our 13-year old. Happy, but no bus for us.
Last thing.. no Coquitlam hotels to speak of… make sure to rent a car when traveling to Vancouver.
