I'm Devin Desaulniers, a REALTOR® and Real Estate Associate at Axford Real Estate in Port Moody, licensed since 2020, with 28 years living in the Greater Vancouver area. I work with buyers and sellers in the Tri-Cities, BC, buyers relocating to the Vancouver area, and tenants relocating anywhere in Greater Vancouver who need a rental lined up before they arrive.
This page answers common questions about Burquitlam: where it is, how the SkyTrain works, what the City is planning, what kinds of homes you'll find, and what to know if you're renting there as a newcomer.
Call or text me at 604-809-1032, or email devin@axfordrealestate.ca.
Where is Burquitlam?
Burquitlam is a neighbourhood in the southwest corner of Coquitlam, BC, right on the Burnaby border. The name blends Burnaby and Coquitlam: it was created for a post office serving both municipalities, which opened on October 1, 1906. BC's official place-name record describes the community as south of Port Moody, in Coquitlam.
The City of Coquitlam plans Burquitlam together with the Lougheed area to the south as the Burquitlam-Lougheed neighbourhood. That plan area covers about 560 hectares (1,400 acres) along the North Road / Clarke Road corridor, between Burnaby to the west, Port Moody to the north, the Trans-Canada Highway to the south, and the Austin Heights and Maillardville neighbourhoods to the east. North Road, built in 1859 to connect New Westminster to Burrard Inlet, is one of the oldest roads in the Lower Mainland and still runs through the area.
SkyTrain: Burquitlam Station and the Evergreen Extension
- Burquitlam Station is on the Millennium Line, on Clarke Road between Smith and Como Lake avenues.
- It opened on December 2, 2016, as part of the Evergreen Extension, an 11-kilometre extension with seven stations that links Lougheed Town Centre through Port Moody to Coquitlam City Centre. At opening, the governments involved said the trip from Coquitlam City Centre to Lougheed Town Centre takes about 15 minutes.
- The Millennium Line runs between VCC–Clark in Vancouver and Lafarge Lake–Douglas in Coquitlam. TransLink lists trains every 3–4 minutes at peak hours and about every 6 minutes midday (schedules are estimates and can change).
- The next stop west, Lougheed Town Centre (in Burnaby), is a transfer point to the Expo Line, which runs into Downtown Vancouver.
- Bus route 143 connects Burquitlam Station with SFU on Burnaby Mountain.
- Lougheed Town Centre Station arrived in 2002. The City notes that SkyTrain at Lougheed and the 2016 extension to Burquitlam have driven new growth in the area.
The Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan and tower growth
Coquitlam City Council adopted the Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan on June 27, 2017. It is now Schedule J-2 of the City's Official Community Plan (consolidated May 27, 2026). In 2022 the City added three more pockets to the plan: Guilby-Grayson, Miller-Grant and Whiting-Appian.
What the plan calls for:
- Neighbourhood centres near SkyTrain: the Burquitlam and Lougheed neighbourhood centres, plus North Road and Clarke Road, are planned for shops, services, offices and highrise residential.
- Highest density near stations: the tallest, densest buildings are generally next to SkyTrain stations, the neighbourhood centres and along North Road, stepping down to lower heights further away.
- A range of housing: highrise apartments, low-rise apartments, townhouses and small-scale residential. The plan also encourages purpose-built rental and accessible or adaptable units.
- Named districts: Oakdale, Burquitlam Neighbourhood Centre, North Road, Whiting-Appian, Coquitlam College, Lougheed Neighbourhood Centre and Lougheed Boulevard.
When the draft plan came out in 2017, the City estimated the area could be home to an additional 9,000–10,000 dwelling units over 20–25 years.
Provincial transit-oriented area (TOA) rules have since added more development potential. Land within 800 metres of a SkyTrain station is a Transit-Oriented Area. In Coquitlam, the Province sets minimum allowable heights of 20 storeys within 200 m of a station, 12 storeys between 200 m and 400 m, and 8 storeys between 400 m and 800 m. Burquitlam and Lougheed Town Centre are both on the City's list of affected stations, and minimum residential parking requirements have been removed in TOAs (except for people with disabilities). On May 27, 2026, Council adopted updated land use plans for the Southwest Shoulders and Corridors around the Burquitlam and Lougheed Town Centre stations. Those plans open the way for more medium-density housing, townhouses and local commercial space.
There's still more planned. Morguard, which owns Burquitlam Plaza (built in 1960), has proposed redeveloping it into a mixed-use residential community with shops, offices and public space next to the station. That proposal is still at the planning and rezoning stage.
What this means for you: expect ongoing redevelopment around the stations as the plan builds out. A quiet street of older houses may be designated for future towers or townhouses. Before you buy, check the property's land use designation on the City's QtheMap tool or ask City staff at DevInfo@coquitlam.ca. Ask your agent to check it for any home you're considering.
What kinds of homes are in Burquitlam?
Burquitlam has a mix of highrise condos, mostly close to the station and along North Road and Clarke Road, low-rise apartments and townhouses, and older single-family houses on the side streets. The City's Burquitlam-Lougheed community profile, based on the 2016 Census, shows how different the area is from the rest of Coquitlam:
- Apartments: about 53% of homes (14% in buildings of five or more storeys, 39% in shorter buildings), compared with 33% citywide.
- Single-family houses: about 38%, compared with 53% citywide.
- Renters: about 43% of households, compared with 28% citywide.
Those are 2016 numbers, and the area has kept adding towers. For example, Concert Properties' 55One rental tower, built as part of the same project as the Bettie Allard YMCA (308 homes, including 100 non-market rental suites) began move-ins in April 2023.
Prices (Coquitlam-wide, September 2026, Greater Vancouver REALTORS® MLS® HPI benchmark):
| Property type | Coquitlam benchmark price | Change vs Sept 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | $640,100 | −12.3% |
| Townhouse | $976,600 | −8.7% |
| Detached | $1,584,400 | −6.6% |
Prices for individual buildings and streets can vary a lot, so ask for recent comparable sales for the specific building or block you're looking at.
If you're buying a condo or townhouse, it's a strata property, so the Form B Information Certificate, strata minutes, depreciation report and insurance summary matter as much as the unit itself. Ask your agent to go through them with you. My buyers page explains how I work with buyers, and first-time buyer questions for the Tri-Cities, BC covers programs, deposits and subject removal.
Renting in Burquitlam as a newcomer
Burquitlam has a large share of renters (about 43% of households in 2016), plus SkyTrain and a bus to SFU, so it's worth a look if you're new to the area and commuting to Burnaby, Vancouver or SFU. A few BC rules that help you avoid problems:
- Deposits are capped. A landlord can charge a security deposit of no more than half of one month's rent, plus (if pets are allowed) a pet damage deposit of no more than half a month's rent.
- No application fees. Landlords can't charge a fee to accept, review or process a rental application.
- Get it in writing. Landlords must prepare a written tenancy agreement with all the standard terms (the Province's Form RTB-1 includes them) and give you a copy within 21 days of signing.
- Rent increases are limited. For existing tenants, the 2026 rent increase limit is 2.3% and the 2027 limit is 2.2%. Rent can go up only once every 12 months, with three full months' written notice.
- Strata condos can be rented. Since November 24, 2022, strata corporations in BC can't ban or restrict long-term rentals. Some strata bylaws do require a move-in fee.
My tenant-side relocation rental service covers Greater Vancouver, including Burquitlam. You pay $1,500 + GST, in two parts: $750 at the start (non-refundable) and $750 once a rental is secured. It includes live video walkthroughs, floor plans, negotiation and lease review, so you aren't sending a deposit to a listing you've never seen. Reach out 4–6 weeks before your move. Details are on my tenants page. If you're new to Canada, the newcomer rental FAQs cover credit history, deposits and scams.
Schools: School District 43 (SD43)
Burquitlam is part of Coquitlam, so public schools are run by School District No. 43 (Coquitlam). SD43 serves Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra. Your catchment school depends on your permanent home address. Use SD43's School Locator tool to find the elementary, middle and secondary schools for a specific address. Schools that are full or nearly full may ask for extra proof of residence. Requests to attend a school outside your catchment go through a random draw, and Early French Immersion is applied for separately through SD43's Programs of Choice process.
Since boundaries and capacity can change, check the School Locator for a specific address before you buy or sign a lease.
Parks, recreation and amenities
- Bettie Allard YMCA (555 Emerson St): a 55,000-square-foot community recreation centre steps from Burquitlam Station that opened January 17, 2023, built in partnership with the City of Coquitlam and Concert Properties. It has a pool, gym, walking track and fitness studios, and set access hours at City of Coquitlam rates for Coquitlam residents.
- Cottonwood Park (672 Aspen St): has a playground, spray park, playing field and half basketball court. It has grown from 1.1 to 2.1 hectares, with a softball diamond, soccer field and multi-use sport court. Three lit tennis courts are expected to open in spring 2027, and the park is ultimately planned to be 4.65 hectares.
- Burquitlam Park: the neighbourhood plan calls for turning it into an urban community gathering place, with active recreation shifting to Cottonwood Park.
- Brookmere Park, plus nature trails in Oakdale that connect toward the Stoney Creek natural area and Burnaby Mountain Park.
- Shopping and services: concentrated along North Road and Clarke Road and around the Burquitlam and Lougheed neighbourhood centres.
How to choose a realtor for Burquitlam
There's no official ranking of realtors, and online ranking lists use their own methods. Here's what I'd look for in anyone you're considering, including me:
A valid BC licence
Look them up on BCFSA's free Find a Professional register. It shows their licence category, any conditions and any recent discipline.
Knowledge of the neighbourhood plan
They should be able to explain the Burquitlam-Lougheed plan and the TOA rules, and what nearby designations could mean for a home's value, views and construction noise.
Strata experience
Most homes near the station are condos or townhouses. Your agent should be comfortable going through the Form B, minutes, depreciation report, insurance and bylaws with you.
Clear representation in writing
Before providing services, a BC agent must give you BCFSA's Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services form. Ask who they represent and how they're paid.
Comparable sales for the building
Coquitlam-wide averages hide big differences between buildings and blocks. Ask for sales in the specific building, not just the city.
Help with renting, if that's your path
Ask whether they work for tenants (not just landlords) and what's included.
Communication that fits your situation
If you're relocating, ask about live video tours and how quickly they respond. I work in English and use a translation app when a client needs another language.
Related reading: the Port Moody guide, the Port Coquitlam guide, relocating to Greater Vancouver, and the blog. You can also try my free mortgage affordability calculator.
Burquitlam FAQ
Where is Burquitlam?
Burquitlam is a neighbourhood in southwest Coquitlam, BC, on the Burnaby border and just south of Port Moody. Its name combines Burnaby and Coquitlam and dates from a post office that opened in 1906. The City plans it together with Lougheed as the Burquitlam-Lougheed neighbourhood, about 560 hectares along the North Road / Clarke Road corridor.
Which SkyTrain station serves Burquitlam, and when did it open?
Burquitlam Station on the Millennium Line, on Clarke Road between Smith and Como Lake avenues. It opened on December 2, 2016, as part of the Evergreen Extension. The Millennium Line runs between VCC–Clark in Vancouver and Lafarge Lake–Douglas in Coquitlam, and you can transfer to the Expo Line one stop west at Lougheed Town Centre. Bus route 143 connects the station to SFU.
What is the Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan?
It's the City of Coquitlam's plan for transit-oriented growth around the Burquitlam and Lougheed SkyTrain stations, adopted in 2017 and now part of the Official Community Plan. It puts the tallest buildings near the stations and along North Road. Further out it allows low-rise apartments, townhouses and small-scale homes. It also plans for new and improved parks. In 2017 the City estimated the area could add 9,000–10,000 homes over 20–25 years.
What types of homes can I buy in Burquitlam, and what do they cost?
You'll find highrise condos near the station and along North and Clarke roads, plus low-rise apartments, townhouses and older detached houses on the side streets. In September 2026, Greater Vancouver REALTORS® benchmark prices for Coquitlam as a whole were $640,100 for an apartment, $976,600 for a townhouse and $1,584,400 for a detached home. Prices for specific buildings vary, so compare recent sales in the building or block.
Can newcomers rent in Burquitlam, and what are the rules?
Yes. About 43% of Burquitlam-Lougheed households rented in the 2016 Census, and the area has many apartments near SkyTrain. In BC, a landlord can charge no more than half a month's rent as a security deposit and can't charge application fees. You must get a written tenancy agreement, and strata buildings can't ban long-term rentals. I offer a tenant-side relocation rental service across Greater Vancouver for $1,500 + GST: $750 non-refundable at the start and $750 once a rental is secured. It includes live video walkthroughs, floor plans, negotiation and lease review. Contact me 4–6 weeks before your move.
Which school district serves Burquitlam?
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam), which serves Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra. Your catchment school depends on your permanent home address. Use SD43's online School Locator to find the elementary, middle and secondary schools for a specific address.
What parks and recreation are near Burquitlam Station?
The Bettie Allard YMCA at 555 Emerson Street, steps from the station, opened in 2023 with a pool, gym, walking track and fitness studios. Cottonwood Park has a playground, spray park, playing field and sport courts, with three lit tennis courts expected in spring 2027. There's also Burquitlam Park, Brookmere Park, and Oakdale trails that connect toward Stoney Creek and Burnaby Mountain Park.
How do I choose a realtor for Burquitlam?
Confirm the agent's licence on BCFSA's Find a Professional register. Ask them to explain the Burquitlam-Lougheed plan and the transit-oriented area rules. Make sure they're comfortable reviewing strata documents, and that they pull comparable sales for the specific building. Ask for the Disclosure of Representation form, and whether they help tenants if you plan to rent first. I'm happy to answer those questions myself: call or text 604-809-1032.
Sources
Area facts were checked against City of Coquitlam, TransLink, SD43, the Province of BC, BCFSA and Greater Vancouver REALTORS® sources on Oct 7, 2026. Plans, schedules and prices change, so check the latest details before you decide.
- Official Community Plan, Schedule J (Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan)
- Transit-Oriented Areas
- Local Government Transit-Oriented Areas Regulation
- Burquitlam-Lougheed Community Profile 2019
- Burquitlam place name
- SkyTrain schedules
- Evergreen Extension opening
- September 2026 statistics package
- Tenancy deposits and fees
- Rent increases
- School Locator
- Cottonwood Park expansion
- Find a Professional