Macdonald Realty agents Nicholas Chabros and Eleanor Tso (Chabros Tso Real Estate Group) showcase the growing community of Burke Mountain, Coquitlam, in this Neighbourhood Expert piece. Learn more about the market insights of this neighbourhood, what to consider if you're looking to buy in Burke Mountain, and the best attractions of the area.
QUICK FACTS
Municipality | Coquitlam |
|---|---|
Region | Greater Vancouver |
Population (approx.) | 20,000 |
Walkability | 40/100 (depending on where you are located) |
Transit Score | 40/100 |
Primary housing types | Townhomes, Detached Homes |
Average age of homes | 15 years old (built in 2009-2026) |
Typical price range | CAD850,000 - CAD2,500,000+ |
Best for | Young families, multigenerational families |
Commute to Downtown Vancouver | 60 minutes |
Nearby SkyTrain | Lafarge Skytrain |
School District | School District 43 |
Primary shopping area | Coquitlam Centre |
"If someone asked whether they should move to this neighbourhood, what would you tell them?"
If someone asked me whether they should move to Burke Mountain, I’d say it depends on what they value in a neighbourhood and what stage of life they’re in. Burke Mountain is primarily a residential, family-oriented community. A lot of the housing consists of newer single-family homes and townhomes, and you’ll see plenty of young families and people who have moved here from other parts of the Tri-Cities. The streets are generally quiet, and there are a lot of parks, trails and green space. If having that kind of environment close to home is important to you, Burke Mountain is absolutely worth considering.
There are also some trade-offs that people should understand before buying. Burke Mountain is relatively new, so it doesn’t have the established commercial infrastructure you’ll find in areas like Coquitlam Centre or Port Moody. Depending on where you live, you may be driving for groceries, restaurants, shopping and other services. Transit has improved, but for many households, having a vehicle is still a practical necessity.
The terrain is another consideration. There are significant hills throughout the community, which can be great for views and outdoor access but may not appeal to everyone. In winter, road conditions and steep driveways are something I’d specifically pay attention to.
From a real estate perspective, I wouldn’t tell someone to move to Burke Mountain simply because the homes are newer or because it’s popular. I’d ask about their lifestyle. If you want newer housing, access to nature, a quieter setting and don’t mind driving for some amenities, it can be a very good fit. If you want walkability, established shops and restaurants at your doorstep, or a more urban environment, there are probably better options elsewhere in the Tri-Cities.
The best advice I can give is to spend some time there on a weekday, a weekend and during rush hour before making the decision. That will tell you much more than a listing description ever will.
Why do people choose Burke Mountain?
The newer homes, greenspace, schools, future development, and younger demographic are all factors that draw in young families, multigenerational families, and professionals with dual-income households to this neighbourhood. Burke Mountain is surrounded by nature, a growing community, views, and lots of parks and playgrounds. What keeps residents here, though, is the community, the lifestyle and accessibility to nature.
Who should NOT live here?
The housing lots are smaller in Burke Mountain so this neighbourhood is not for buyers who are looking for land. Transit here also isn't ideal, so having a vehicle is a necessity. There are also no condos or affordable housing developments available in this area.
Above: Viewpoint in Burke Mountain (Coquitlam, BC).
Housing statistics
- Detached multi-level homes are typically 0-15 years old in Burke Mountain. Some homes have been updated, and very few are heritage homes.
- Typically 70+ townhomes are available in this area. Popular developments include: Rocklin by Streetside, Beaumont by Polygon, and Ridgewood by Polygon.
- There are no condos in this neighbourhood.
- Luxury homes are available on Burke Mountain from CAD2,500,000.
- As of September 2026, there are only 7 vacant rentals (basement suites) available on REW.ca. These vacancies are ideal for young couples or young families.
- In terms of redevelopment, there are some duplex homes in this neighbourhood and some older homes have been sold and turned into a land assembly of townhomes or detached homes. We're keeping an eye on the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood, which is the last major area of Burke Mountain that has not yet been developed.
Market Insights
Growth in development has been consistent across Burke Mountain. High demand has been shown in the townhouse market, and we've seen townhouses and detached homes with suites sell the fastest. Bidding wars usually occur with detached homes with suites that are well priced (typically below market). Higher-priced detached homes, on the other hand, tend to sit longer on the market.
Generally, buyers tend to fall in love with a home in Burke Mountain before researching the area to see if it matches their lifestyle expectations, while sellers often overprice their home, which leads to potential buyers overlooking their listings.
Lifestyle
On a typical Saturday morning throughout Burke Mountain, you can find neighbours out in their gardens or walking their dogs. Parks and playgrounds are busy and filled with community on the weekends, and neighbours know each other and regularly interact. Locals typically spend time hiking at Minnekhada High Knoll and Low Knoll. They walk the Debouville Slough and hike the many sets of stairs and trails built all over Burke Mountain. Nature surrounds you in all directions.
Schools
From our experience, parents want to know most often if their child will be at a good school with a good community. Depending on which side of the street you are on, the catchments are divided for the middle schools and elementary schools.
Coast Salish Elementary, Smiling Creek Elementary, and Leigh Elementary are the closest walkable schools, while Irvine Elementary and Coquitlam River are sought after specifically for their French Immersion Programs. The French Immersion Programs are available to Burke Mountain residents as their catchment school via lottery at Coquitlam River Elementary or Irvine Elementary. To note, cross catchment is sometimes approved between Smiling Creek and Coast Salish as they are located close to each other. They also honour sibling requests.
There are no private schools in this neighbourhood.
Thinking of moving to Burke Mountain or the general Coquitlam area?
Reach out to Nicholas and Eleanor today!
Nicholas Chabros: 604.377.8101 | [email protected]
Eleanor Tso: 778.989.2923 | [email protected]
How long does it take to get to:
- Downtown Vancouver? 60-80 minutes depending on traffic by car, or West Coast Express (36 minutes from Port Coquitlam Station)
- The airport)? 45-60 minutes depending on traffic to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), 50-60 minutes to Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
- UBC? 70-90 minutes by car
- Burnaby? 30 minutes by car
- North Shore? 60 minutes by car
- Richmond? 45-60 minutes by car
What transportation do locals actually use? For public transportation, it's the West Coast Express or the skytrain, but many get around ibeby car.
Shopping in the area
Best Grocery | Costco, Superstore, Save-On Foods |
|---|---|
Best Coffee | |
Best Bakery | |
Best Brunch | |
Best Sushi | Kai Sushi, Kisso (has a special robot server, which is fun for the kids) |
Best Pizza | |
Best Pub | |
Best Family Restaurant | |
Best Hidden Gem | |
Best Farmers Market | Coquitlam Farmer's Market on Sunday mornings, or Port Coquitlam Farmer's Market on Thursday Evenings |
Parks
Quietest | Any of the local neighbourhood parks tend to be quiet on a weekday – Marguerite Park, Riley Park, Millard Park, Princeton Park |
|---|---|
Dog parks | |
Playgrounds | There are so many! Chelsea Park, Sheffield Park, Queenston Park |
Running trails | |
Cycling | |
Views | |
Picnic | |
Sports | New Burke Mountain Athletic Park, Victoria Park, Smiling Creek Elementary, Pioneer Park |
Safety
Generally, residents feel safe walking around the neighbourhood (even at night, it's quiet in this neighbourhood) and many families allow their children to walk to and from school or to friend's homes. Problems areas around the neighbourhood have been resolved with properly-marked crosswalks. Potential homebuyers of this area tend to ask if their children can take the bus alone—to which we say yes, absolutely, many children take the bus with their friends.
Plus, schools are generally on top of any safety issues and families in the neighbourhood are heavily involved in their childrens' school lives.
Above: Burke Mountain Lookout (Coquitlam, BC).
Future
Exciting future developments include:
- The Burke Mountain Village, which will include a Burke Mountain Community Centre in 2029
- Hazel Coy Neighbourhood will be rezoned for future development (no official timeline provided yet)
- TransLink is looking at adding routes to Burke Mountain but no timelines have been provided (there is currently transit available but not in all areas)
- Burke Mountain High School is scheduled to open in September 2027
- Cedar Drive is being expanded with widened roads, sanitary sewer expansion, flood protection, and building new community areas – secondary school, community centre, new park
Investment Perspective
Burke Mountain has appreciated in recent years because the properties are newer and the community keeps families here. The community continues to develop, which offers families a chance a quieter pace of life with the dream of the fenced townhomes or detached homes. We see many multigenerational families buying into this neighbourhood, and living here. Most Burke Mountain investors buy townhouses but we've seen some buy detached properties too.
As for downsizers, many owners have given up their big homes and moved into smaller townhouses and chose to stay in the area because they love living in this neighbourhood so much.
Local Secrets
- What do only locals know? We exist with wildlife, and bears are a common occurrence.
- Best coffee nobody knows? Ibex – there’s only really one great option and it has spectacular views.
- Underrated street? Watkins – the green street approved by the city so that families could open their doors and let their kids play out front without worrying about traffic.
- Best views? Minnekhada High Knoll.
- Best playground? Sheffield Park – it has a splash pad, sand pit, playground, bike track and basketball court, plus it has washrooms!
- Quiet shortcut? Harper Park is a good way to move across the mountain to different streets while enjoying beautiful nature.
- Hidden trail? The trail under the power lines is quiet and a wonderful way to get across the mountain.
REALTOR Insights
- The biggest misconception about Burke Mountain is that it's too far from major amenities; Burke is only a 5-10 minute drive away!
- What I would buy with:
- $800k: Townhouses around the new Burke Mountain Secondary School
- $1.5M: Duplexes/townhomes/older detached houses
- $2.5M: Detached Houses
- Unlimited budget: Detached Houses with larger lots (10,000 sq foot +)
- Most common buyer mistake? Waiting to see if the prices will keep decreasing and missing out on their dream home.
- Most common seller mistake? Pricing too high and waiting for buyers to come.
- What has changed most in the last decade? There has been so much development and growth over the last decade. More to come!
- What will change most over the next decade? Homes closest to the Burke Mountain Village will be more sought after. More population, better transit and commercial amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this neighbourhood good for families?
It is a wonderful place to raise a family. It is filled with parks, nature and schools.
Is it walkable?
Yes, depending on where you’re walking too 😊
Is it safe?
Absolutely, my kids walk to and from friends’ houses.
Are there good schools?
Yes, elementary schools are highly sought after and both have very active Parent Advisory Councils.
Can you commute without a car?
Yes, there is a local bus system.
Is it a good place to retire?
Absolutely. It’s peaceful with stunning views. Friendly people.
Is it good for young professionals?
Yes definitely. Many working professionals live throughout Burke Mountain.
Are there heritage homes?
No…
Is parking difficult?
Street parking can be a challenge in some areas due to tenancies, grown-up kids.
Is there redevelopment potential?
Yes, definitely in the Hazel Coy neighbourhood and in some older homes that still exist on Burke Mountain.
What are the busiest streets?
Coast Meridian Road.
How competitive is the market?
Right now it is a buyer’s market and buyers have choice in Townhomes/duplexes and detached homes.
Get in touch with Nicholas and Eleanor for advice on buying or selling in the Coquitlam area today!
Nicholas Chabros: 604.377.8101 | [email protected]
Eleanor Tso: 778.989.2923 | [email protected]
References
- Municipal plans
- Burke Mountain Village (https://www.coquitlam.ca/422/Burke-Mountain-Village)
- Burke Mountain Community Centre (https://www.coquitlam.ca/880/Burke-Mountain-Community-Centre)
- Burke Mountain Athletic Park Joint School (https://www.coquitlam.ca/1233/Burke-Mountain-Athletic-Park-Joint-School)
- Burke Mountain (https://visitcoquitlam.ca/stay-plan/neighbourhoods/burke-mountain/)
- Statistics Canada
- 'Building Canada strong by investing in the Burke Mountain Community Centre' (https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2026/09/building-canada-strong-by-investing-in-the-burke-mountain-community-centre.html)
- 'Infrastructure Announcement in Coquitlam' (https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2026/09/infrastructure-announcement-in-coquitlam.html )
- School District (https://www.sd43.bc.ca)
- Parks Board (https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/park/minnekhada-regional-park)
- TransLink (https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/strategies-plans-and-guidelines/area-transport-planning/northeast-sector)
- BC Assessment
- CMHC
- Local Business Improvement Associations
