5 Big Reasons moving to Port Moody may (or may not) be a good idea!
To start, I’m a huge Port Moody fan! So much so, I will be moving there soon.
I’m going to discuss some of the reasons I chose to move there and I’m also going to highlight some reasons people may not want to move there.
For me, it’s a great fit! However, my pros might be someone else’s cons, so let’s get into why this may or may not be the perfect place for you in 2022.
Entertainment that is within walking distance!
Hanging out on Brewer’s Row in Port Moody
As we’re starting to grow our family (February 2022!), it was important to us to be able to have easy date nights, easy family activities, and generally just interesting things nearby.
Being a young couple that loves craft beer, being near brewers row was a huge draw.
Brewers row is along Murray Street, across from Rocky Point Park.
As of right now, the incredible breweries and distilleries that reside here are:
Twin Sales
Yellow Dog
Rocky Point Spirits
Parkside
The Bakery
Moody Ales
The fact that my partner and I can walk a couple of blocks to have a quick cheeky beer any night of the week alone or with friends or family, is fantastic!
If you are someone that does not enjoy a nice cold beer, and that’s totally fair, there are a lot of you out there, this will not be a draw to you! This is a very beer-focused street, I mean it’s lovingly called “Brewer’s Row”.
We love meeting our friends at breweries, so this truly was a huge draw for us, I’ll admit it!
Port Moody has a lot of awesome community spaces
Rocky Point Park is a very large park that includes all the following:
Long winding waterfront trails that lead to a beach across the water (Old Orchard Park)
A pier to walk on
Kayak and paddleboard rentals
A large lawn
A stage for community events
A large spray park
An outdoor pool
A VERY large playground for kids
A skate park
As we are starting a young family, being near free entertainment such as all the areas listed above, is highly desirable. Quick and easy entertainment that happens to be free will be a life-saver on those days when we just need to get out of the house.
Port Moody is Near a Lot of Trails, Beaches, and Lakes
Many trails and beaches in Port Moody, this here is Admiralty Point
Beyond community spaces, there are so many outdoor areas to explore! A quick drive from here there are many lakes, parks, and hiking trails. I won’t get into all of them as I am no trails expert but here is a list of a few that I have frequented and am excited to explore more soon.
Belcarra Regional Park (and related trails)
Buntzen Lake (and related trails)
Sasamat Lake (and related trails)
Barnet Marine Park
Old Orchard Park
If you are someone that loves being in or around nature, then Port Moody is an ideal location for you. It is a close drive to all of these places.
These areas get insanely busy in the summer, so if you can be close to them and beat the lower mainland rush, you’ll be happy about it!
If being outdoors is not your idea of a good time on a hot weekend, then Port Moody doesn’t have much to offer you. Most of the entertainment available is very outdoors-based.
One very real con is the crowds of people that flock to these areas when it is nice out. You will either have to learn to deal with it, wake up earlier to beat the crowds, or find odd times to visit in order for places to be less busy.
For instance, Buntzen Lake during the summer can close its parking gate as early as 10 AM from being at full capacity! However, when I pop by at 4 PM the same day, I’ll find it far less busy.
Port Moody is steadily becoming more urbanized
A rough idea of Port Moody's urbanization of the City Centre from Engage Port Moody
This is a major point that will either be a pro for some people or a big fat con for some.
Here is why the fact that Port Moody is urbanizing more is a positive aspect for me and my family.
Entertainment and walkability!
With more “mixed-use” development applications, as seen from the Moody Centre TOD, Coronation Park, and Westport application, just to list a few, comes more walkable neighborhoods with shops, restaurants, and parks!
With major OCP amendments, come hoops that developers need to jump through that in the end benefit the community. This means developers may be requested to provide park space, community amenity contributions, build public plazas, and more.
To list community improvements listed in just one of the applications, Port Moody may soon be seeing:
Better pedestrian connections from the Moody Center to Rocky Point Park
A variety of pocket parks and mews throughout new developments especially within the Moody Center area.
New street promenades with various retail services (mixed-use).
New plazas
New environmental restoration projects such as daylighting old creeks
I’m looking forward to new parks to relieve the pressure that Rocky Point Park faces every summer. I’m also looking forward to strolling through new store options, having new date night options, and feeling like the town is more alive, and bustling with people.
Port Moody is already quite a liveable neighborhood, but I am excited to see it become a more walkable, diverse, and lively urban center in the future.
If you were thinking of moving to Port Moody in order to get away from an “urban” vibe, it will limit where you can move to in Port Moody.
There are still quite a few single-detached homes along the inlet that are beautiful and quiet, however, these are quite expensive and low in supply. If you are a young family looking for something affordable in Port Moody, you will have to deal with a more urban area if that is the case.
Port Moody has 2 Skytrain Stations and the Westcoast Express!
Do you hate driving or are you trying to cut back on driving everywhere?
Then this point is going to be a pro for you! If you love driving and hate public transit in all its forms, then this won’t affect you.
For us, having such incredible access to speedy public transit is a pro for the following reasons:
Easy access to places we love like Commercial Drive, Main Street/Olympic Village, Downtown, New Westminster, and more! While there are urban complete communities in areas like Surrey, Langley, and so on, these areas are not connected to the rest of the lower mainland via Skytrain.
The Westcoast Express is literally the quickest possible way to get to downtown Vancouver. No stops, just from Moody Center down to Waterfront in 25 minutes with no traffic.
My husband and I can easily have nights out where we both drink, don’t drive and don’t pay some large Uber or taxi fee.
It’s super easy to have visitors over that don’t have a car!
We can hop on the Skytrain and go straight to the airport when traveling. No more taxis, park-and-rides, or worrying about traffic conditions.
When our kids are older, we won’t have to drive them everywhere. Thanks to easy public transit options, they will be able to use these services and not require rides all day every day.
Less need to pack up a car full of a stroller, car seat, etc, can just board the train with the stroller and be ready to go.
Final Thoughts on Moving To Port Moody
The reasons discussed above are the major topics that can be either large pros or cons for people.
Beyond these reasons, there are many other cool things about Port Moody. There are many small businesses, cute cafes and bakeries, adorable heritage homes, a variety of mom-and-pop restaurants, and so on. You’ll have to explore it for yourself!
I hope you gain clarity on whether or not Port Moody might be the perfect city for you!
If you like it, maybe I’ll see you around ;)