Tucked neatly between the wooded northwest corner of Port Moody and the sparkling waters of Indian Arm is a tiny community known as the Village of Anmore. Although it’s less than an hour from downtown Vancouver, only minutes from Port Moody, and is smack on the route to Buntzen Lake, surprisingly few people recognize the name. And that’s something the local residents don’t mind a bit.
Officially granted village status on December 7, 1987, in response to overwhelming local demand and a prolonged campaign, Anmore’s location and ambiance are much sought-after by homebuyers in the know. “Anmore is a unique community - very quiet and rural with some fantastic hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor sports,” says Ray Harris a realtor with Re/Max Sabre. “People who are looking for an active, outdoor lifestyle love it here.”
Brian Whalley from Re/Max Sabre agrees, adding “Anmore is very secluded, and because you’re virtually surrounded by mountains, it’s rather like living in Whistler but still being able to get to downtown Vancouver in about 45 minutes.”
PRESERVING HERITAGE
Howard Carley, chief administrative officer for the Village, stresses that preserving the community’s charming, semi-rural character takes a high priority among the 1800 plus people who call it home. “All our lots are one-acres except in four comprehensive development zones,” he says. Even in the special zones, there’s plenty of space - a full half-acre each plus a matching half-acre of parkland. “If, for example, a developer has twenty acres, they could build 20 home on half-acre lots and would then be required to convert the remaining ten acres into parkland.”
According to Ray who is marketing Anmore Woods in one of the four special zones, it’s a plan that’s working well. “The first phase is 22 houses, all selling in the $1million plus range,” he says. And they’re selling well as people realize there are limited opportunities to purchase.
“Demand definitely far exceeds demand for homes here,” notes Don Butt, also a realtor with Re/Max Sabre and himself a long-time Village resident. “But I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It always feels like you’re on vacation when you come home.”
WATER SPORTS FOR EVERYONE
Always a popular summer spot for hikers, canoeists, and sun worshipers, the Buntzen Lake Reservoir and Recreation Area is probably Anmore’s best-known feature. Covering an area of 182 hectares, the lake was formerly known as Lake Beautiful and is still one of the loveliest small lakes in the GVRD. No power boats are allowed here, so whether you’re paddling or exploring the trail that loops around the beaches on foot, there’s a natural serenity that continues to attract people from all across the Lower Mainland.
Less well known but equally lovely is White Pine Lake. Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon or watch the sunset cuddled up with your sweetie - White Pine is yet another reason to think of Anmore.
For more information and a great mini-history, visit online at www.anmore.com.
By Susan M. Boyce
Properties:
In Anmore
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