Ioco is one of Port Moody’s most distinctive and storied neighbourhoods — a small, tightly-knit community perched on the shores of Burrard Inlet with a history rooted in the former Imperial Oil refinery operations that gave the area its name. Today, Ioco is a quiet residential enclave unlike anything else in the Tri-Cities.
The neighbourhood is notably small, with a limited number of homes — many of them original company-era cottages and character houses that have been lovingly maintained or carefully renovated over the decades. Ioco has no commercial strip, no high-density development, and no through traffic to speak of. What it has is views, quiet, community, and one of the most scenic settings in all of Greater Vancouver.
Sasamat Lake — one of the warmest freshwater lakes in BC — is minutes away, along with White Pine Beach, which draws swimmers and picnickers throughout the summer. The area is surrounded by Belcarra Regional Park, offering extensive trail networks and waterfront access. For outdoor enthusiasts, Ioco is a dream address.
The trade-off is that Ioco is more car-dependent than other Port Moody neighbourhoods. The SkyTrain stations at Inlet Centre and Moody Centre are reachable but not walkable, so most residents commute by vehicle. That said, the Barnet Highway provides reasonable access to Burnaby and beyond, and many residents who choose Ioco are making a deliberate trade — proximity to transit for space, nature, and peace.
Properties in Ioco come up infrequently, and when they do, they attract buyers who have been waiting. The combination of waterfront proximity, character architecture, and genuine community feel creates a market that is hard to replicate. If you’re drawn to something different — a home with history, a neighbourhood with soul — Ioco is worth exploring.
