College Park Real Estate & Homes For Sale
College Park, a primarily residential neighbourhood, is located on Port Moody's south shore. The majority of the homes are relatively new; most being built within the past 45 years. Residents of this neighbourhood enjoy gorgeous views of the east slope of Burnaby Mountain, as well as family-friendly parks and trails. College Park is connected to the waterfront of Burrard Inlet by the Alfred Howe Greenway Trail, and although the majority of the neighbourhood is residential, areas of Clarke Road have some commercial development.
The growth throughout Port Moody is substantial; the population saw a 15% increase between the 2001 and the 2006 census. Of Port Moody's 27,512 residents, the majority are between the ages of 15 and 64: 22% are between the ages of 5 and 19, 27% are between the ages of 45 and 64, and 38% are between the ages of 20 and 44. Families and young professionals are drawn to the area's numerous benefits, from excellent schools to family-friendly entertainment and activities. The median income of Port Moody in 2005 was 32,816 CAD, significantly higher than the median income of British Columbia (24,867 CAD) in the same year.
College Park Homes For Sale
- All Listings
- Over $1,000,000
More than 40 streams flow through the city of Port Moody to the Burrard Inlet, and the city has developed The City of Port Moody Stream Stewardship Program to manage streams, vegetation and watersheds in an effort to preserve and support fish and insect life. In addition to this, the city has banned pesticides and supports natural gardening through seminars held at Inlet Theatre. Port Moody was recognized by the UN's International Awards for Livable Communities, winning in the category of Planning for the Future in 2004 and by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business as the most fiscally responsible of the 28 largest cities in British Columbia in 2008.
Employment Opportunities
The unemployment rate is relatively low in Port Moody; 4.7% while British Columbia's unemployment rate is 6.0%. The percentage of individuals actively employed in Port Moody is 70.8%, significantly higher than British Columbia's 61.6%. Influential employers in the city include two petrochemical distributors, a deep-sea bulk loading terminal, a large wood products manufacturer and the thermal electric generating station.
Some of the other popular industries include healthcare, social services, business, and arts. In fact, the city of Port Moody has recently taken initiative to increase employment within the arts and culture industry, resulting in 6% of the population being employed within this industry. This is one of the highest concentrations of individuals working in arts and culture found in the region. Port Moody has the 4th highest municipal median family income, at $70,239.
Shopping
Port Moody residents enjoy a variety of shopping options, including Newport Village, which offers up more than 50 merchants. Here, individuals can find a variety of shops, professional services, dining and drink options and more. Those who want to stay a little closer to home can enjoy commercial shops and services around Clarke Road in College Park, including a food market and meat shop, childcare services, gift boutiques and specialty stores.
Restaurants
Individuals living in the College Park neighbourhood can take advantage of Port Moody's diverse dining options, including casual diners offering up comfort foods, fine-dining establishments with gourmet meals, chain eateries and cafes like Tim Hortons and Starbucks, and more. A great option is The Boathouse, the only waterfront restaurant in Port Moody, offering beautiful views of Rocky Point Park and Belcarra Mountain. Another local favourite is Ocean Wise Seafood, specialists in creating tantalizing crab dishes like Whiskey Crab Soup and Crab and Shrimp Ravioli.
Transportation
Port Moody is serviced by TransLink, which offers bus services throughout the city. College Park residents can take advantage of a neighbourhood TransLink stop, as well as the nearby Lougheed SkyTrain Station. Also serving Port Moody is the West Coast Express, a fixed-rail commuter train taking passengers to and from the downtown area of Vancouver. Trans-Canada Highway is a short distance by car, and is the primary route for leaving and returning to the city of Port Moody.
Schools
Families in Port Moody send their children to Coquitlam's School District #43. Within this district are 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 2 secondary schools. Plans are underway for a new Moody Middle School, which will be able to serve 450 students. The three elementary schools that College Park residents can take advantage of are Seaview Community Elementary School, Glenayre Elementary School and College Park Elementary. Many residents are within walking distance and enjoy being able to walk their children to and from school each day.
The Arts
Current leaders of Port Moody place a high priority on culture and art within the city, which is why it has gained the nickname 'City of the Arts.' Numerous theatres, galleries and museums pepper the city, including the Port Moody Arts Centre, the Inlet Theatre, and the Port Moody Station Museum. At the Port Moody Arts Centre, visitors can enjoy interesting artifacts telling stories about the history of Port Moody, and three art galleries with a wide array of art styles and types. Artists will enjoy Arts Connect, an organization helping connect artists from Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody and hosting a variety of artist workshops and networking events. The city also features a variety of free gallery exhibitions as well as numerous public art pieces throughout parks and historical areas.
In addition to the arts scene, residents take advantage of the many festivals held in the city each year. February brings the Canadian Film Festival to town, while the Festival of the Arts happens annually in September. One fun event is the Wearable Art Awards that happens yearly and encourages visitors to get involved and create their own art.
Recreation/Sports
Port Moody Arena is home to the Port Moody Panthers hockey team, and features a variety of excellent choices for sports viewers and those who want to participate. Families and active individuals enjoy Rocky Point Park, which offers 3.8 hectares of space and plenty of hiking trails, and a variety of parks accommodating skaters and bike riders. It also has a great picnic shelter, boat launch and recreational pier. Mountain bikers are drawn to Bert Flinn Park, which offers up more than 130 hectares of parkland and an extensive trail system.
Several parks are located throughout the city, including Old Orchard Park where folks can appreciate the sandy beach as well as the picnic shelter and playground. The Port Moody Recreation Complex features an Olympic-size ice skating rink as well as a top-notch gym, a curling rink, an indoor running track and more. Newly relocated residents can find all recreation programs offered at the facility in the quarterly publication of The Port Moody Happening.
Investing in College Park Real Estate
Investors have started noticing the recent growth trends in areas just outside of Vancouver, such as Port Moody, Coquitlam, and New Westminster as families and young professionals seek affordable housing and short commutes. Port Moody homes cost significantly less than those in Vancouver, appealing to investors and families alike, especially those searching for friendly communities, above-average schools, and kid-friendly services and amenities. Port Moody is one of the fastest-growing communities, with a 19.9% growth rate between 2006 and 2011. As this growth increases, property values will rise, providing an excellent return on investment to those who purchase now.
This excites not only investors, but also the individual who wants to increase financial holdings for the future, with his or her children in mind. Combine this with the growing community amenities and it's easy to see why Port Moody is an attractive option for those poised to purchase. The College Park Community's newer, primarily single-family homes are appealing to young couples who plan to start a family as well as existing families who want a more wholesome location to raise their children.
The College Park Community Association plays a large part in keeping the area beautiful and instilling a sense of community amongst residents. Family outings and events are hosted often, such as the community Easter egg hunt, the Christmas lighting contest, and events like the family skate night or neighbourhood pool party. They have also created projects and initiatives designed to keep the community beautiful, such as the 'Adopt a Storm Drain' project, which helps keep drains clear and free of clutter. Overall, College Park is an excellent place to search for real estate, both for investors looking to add to their real estate portfolio and for families who desire an excellent place to call home.
What's your home worth?
Get a FREE Comparative Market Analysis in today's market.