Is Port Moody a good place to live?

Statistics that make you want to settle in Port Moody for good!

Port Moody, the smallest among the Tri-cities. But that fact doesn't necessarily mean that it is not a good place to live. As a matter of fact, Port Moody was awarded an International Award for Livable Communities, a UN-sponsored event under the category "Planning for the Future," in 2004. If you were looking for a place to build your home during those years, learning that news will probably push you to build one in Port Moody. 

Seventeen years have passed since Port Moody received that award. Are you wondering how the city has delivered that "winning" plan? Or maybe, thinking about how the city is doing right now? Especially now that you are looking for an excellent place to build your home. Look no further because, in this blog, we will share important statistics you need to know about Port Moody. 

To help you understand them better, we have categorized them into three major categories: 

• Statistics for your Physical well-being
• Statistics for your Economic well-being
• Statistics for your Mental well-being

Statistics for your Physical well-being

Covid-19 updates

Port Moody's winning plan may not include anything about Covid-19 when they drafted it. So let's see how well this tri-city adapted to the drastic changes that the pandemic brought. 

Based on the Tricity news site, Port Moody and the other cities comprising the Tri-Cities also experienced outbreaks and drops in covid cases within the past two years. Some of the outbreaks happened in some months this year, but the good news is that, based on a Dec. 3 report from the same news site, cases in Port Moody along with Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam have dropped by nearly 50% over the last two weeks.

Some more statistics that we can cite under this category are the following: 

• Tax rate - increase was reduced to 1.61%
• Late payment penalty - reduced from 10% down to 5%.  
• 900 signages about COVID-19 safety protocols were installed

The statistics shown above came from Port Moody's 2020's annual report, where the city included quite a detailed presentation about how they responded to the pandemic in 2020.

If you want to know more about the current government plans and programs related to covid-19, simply visit their website.

Pollution 

Port Moody is known to be surrounded by famous lakes. People who want to experience a place close to Vancouver yet surrounded by nature see Port Moody as one of their travel destinations. But Port Moody is more than just a destination; it can also be your second home or the hometown of your future sons and daughters. Here are some of the reasons: 

Air Quality in Port Moody, based on the IQAIR index, is at 19, which is considered good! Meanwhile, the water quality is at 67% (high), and accessibility to drinking water and its quality is considered very high at 83%.

We all know how vital these statistics are to our health. The question is, 

Will the local government have the capacity to sustain this level or even improve it? 

Allow us to provide you with some more statistics to answer the question. 

• In 2020, Port Moody's community development department facilitated 7,494 electric vehicle charging sessions. According to the report, the sessions saved 23,590 kg in greenhouse gas emissions (approximately 54.6 barrels of oil). 
• In terms of the government's role in encouraging the city to plant more trees, the result was 487 additional trees planted in parks and boulevards.

In the future, the government plans to build more environment-friendly infrastructure and create more programs that encourage energy conservation, especially in construction through net-zero homes. 

With these statistics, we can have the assurance that the answer to our question was, "Yes, they have!"

Now, we're done sharing important statistics you need to know to ensure that your physical well-being will be taken care of. Let's move on to the next. 

Statistics for your Economic well-being

Last May 2021, Port Moody reported receiving a clean, unqualified audit opinion for 2020. Let's take a look at some of the details.

• Total Revenue - $99.888M in 2020, 21.14% higher than in 2019.  
• Total Investment and Cash Portfolio - $109.304 Million, up by $37.777 from 2019
• Net Positive Outcome - $45.901M. NPO is the difference between the city's financial assets and liabilities. A positive net outcome allows the city to provide funds for future activities and place no immediate financial burden on short-term budgets. 

Port Moody assures their citizens that the city's assets and resources are used effectively, so in 2020, the government used its excess funds to pay Port Moody's debts principal and lease. They also increase their reserve balances and appropriate surplus to fund various capital and operating expenditures.

Here are other economics statistics that you need to know: 

• Issued 348 building permits with a combined construction value of $226,243,507  
• Issued 2,308 business licenses for total revenue of $558,732
• Publicly advertised and awarded 42 city purchasing opportunities

All these figures reflect how well the government allocates its resources to sustain the needs of those who currently live in Port Moody and those who will take the opportunity to inhabit the city in the coming years. This time, let's see other economic-related statistics you need to know for your economic well-being in case you slowly want to finalize your decision to move and settle at Port Moody for good. 

Household Income

The median household income in Port Moody is $113,979. Based on areavibe, it is 38% higher than the national average. 

Unemployment Rate

Most people in Port Moody are employed. The city's unemployment rate is only 3%, and based on the same source, it is 46% lower than the CDN average.

Overall, we can say that Port Moody performs well economically. Now, let's look at the last category and see whether the statistics that may impact your mental well-being in this Metro Vancouver region are also ok.  

Statistics for your Mental well-being

Safety and Protection

1. Crime rate

Port Moody has been rated with an A+ in terms of the level of crime by Areavibes. Total Crimes are 44% lower than the National Average and 61% lower than British Columbia's average. The level of property crime is also worth mentioning, as Port Moody's level is almost two times lower than the national average and three times lower than in BC. 

2. Inspections

 Your kids are safe to play at Port Moody!

 In 2020, the department in charge of safety completed the inspection of over 252 playgrounds!

Number of Travel Destinations

With the current state of the pandemic, when travel restrictions between borders are implemented from time to time, this is another statistic you need to consider. Are you wondering how many travel destinations Port Moody can offer? There are over ten major spots depending on what you prefer. Those places include the following parks and recreation centers:

Port Moody hails their city as the “City of Arts,” and to justify that, here are some of the most notable art places to visit 

• Inlet Theatre
• Port Moody Station Museum
• Port Moody Arts Centre

Which of the destinations listed above would you like to visit first? Or maybe, which of them have you seen already? How was your experience? Does it make you feel like you want to come back?

After learning about the important statistics you have read, do you want to come back “for good?”

If you do, you may find Port Moody a good place to live. Try and see!

This article was last updated on May 27, 2023