From Craig · grew up in Port Moody
Craig’s take: choosing a Port Moody condo
Having lived in the Tri-Cities for 47+ years, I love how different these communities feel despite being so close together.
Who each area suits
Suter Brook: buyers who want a modern, walkable village lifestyle with restaurants, shopping, fitness amenities and SkyTrain nearby.
Moody Centre: buyers who love Port Moody’s character, independent businesses, breweries and proximity to Rocky Point — while recognizing that redevelopment could significantly change parts of the neighbourhood.
Newport Village and Klahanie: buyers who appreciate established communities, access to trails and the waterfront, and a neighbourhood atmosphere that works equally well for professionals, young families and downsizers.
The mistake I see most often
One of the biggest mistakes I caution buyers against is falling in love with the neighbourhood before properly evaluating the building and the individual unit. You’ve got the waterfront, Rocky Point Park, the Shoreline Trail, breweries, restaurants, shopping and rapid transit — there’s a lot to love. But buyers sometimes become so focused on getting into Port Moody that they compromise on things they may regret later.
Parking is a great example. If you own two vehicles, a beautiful condo with one parking stall can become inconvenient very quickly. Storage, elevator access, noise, exposure and layout deserve just as much consideration.
It’s also easy to compare condos on list price or price per square foot without accounting for the financial health of the strata. A lower-priced unit can become a much more expensive purchase if the building has significant upcoming repairs or insufficient reserves. And parts of Moody Centre are expected to evolve substantially — understand whether nearby redevelopment could affect views, privacy, noise, traffic or construction activity.
My advice is to buy the building and the unit with the same level of attention you give the neighbourhood. Port Moody is a fantastic place to live, but even in a great neighbourhood, not every condo is a great purchase.
— Craig Johnston, REALTOR®, who grew up in Port Moody