Areas and Suburbs in Vancouver
Vancouver has been called “a city of neighbourhoods”; and with a huge assortment of separate areas, each with its own unique history, character and ethnic “flavour”, expats certainly have their fair share of choice.
The city was founded by English, Scottish and Irish settlers, but now displays a true international makeup.
Most recently, an influx of immigrants from China, which began when Hong Kong was transferred from the UK, continues today, with an estimated 30 percent of Vancouver residents having Chinese heritage.
The city of Vancouver is divided into four general areas: Central, West Side, East Side and South Vancouver.
Expats should keep in mind, there are many neighbourhoods to discover and explore. Take your time, do your research and find the community that fits you, your family situation and lifestyle.
Ideally, be sure to visit your potential neighbourhood yourself. Moving to a new country is a big step, and nothing compares to being there in person, talking to the locals and getting a feel for the community.
Vancouver is the kind of city where the most popular, thriving neighbourhoods are found in the downtown area, which features an enviable blend of high rise residential and commercial properties and a lively, “hip” feel.
The neighbourhoods just west of downtown, and in the North Shore (over the bridge) are also highly desirable. The West End (not to be confused with the West Side) is the most expensive and exclusive area in Vancouver, while the downtown’s notorious “Downtown Eastside” is a high crime rate, high poverty pocket. That said, gentrification is slowly transforming parts of the Eastside around Main and Fraser Streets, and historic Gastown, which is popular with tourists disembarking from cruise ships docked at the adjacent port.
Coal Harbour is a central/downtown area that has recently been transformed from a business/harbour area to a more residential one, with many high rise condos catering to young professionals.
Naturally, the farther away you travel from the downtown core, the lower the housing prices and cost of living. Vancouver’s extensive public transit system ensures that getting to and from the downtown core is relatively easy.
►Suburbs: Downtown, West End, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Gastown, Chinatown, Downtown Eastside
Granville Island is a popular market and tourist destination that is within ten minutes of downtown, but it isn’t primarily considered a residential neighbourhood. Nearby South Cambie-Oakride is the same distance from downtown, but features far more choices in terms of housing.
Housing is particularly dense in Kitsilano, which is known for its beaches and mountain scenery. For those with bigger budgets, Shaughnessy and West Point Grey are affluent neighbourhoods with older, luxury homes.
►Suburbs: Granville Island-Fairview, South Cambie-Oakridge, Kitsilano, Shaughnessy, West Point Grey
Strathcona is popular with Chinese families, and offers mostly rental homes and apartments. However, its proximity to the high crime Downtown Eastside may make new residents hesitant to move in.
Very close to downtown, Mount Pleasant is a mix of (rental) residential and business properties typical to the city of Vancouver. Meanwhile, Commercial Drive-Grandview reflects the city’s other famous characteristics: residents (and local restaurants) representative of a wide range of cultures who place particular importance on the arts and “green” living.
Kensington-Cedar Cottage and Hastings-Sunrise are two other multicultural, family oriented communities on the East Side. Densely populated yet safe and friendly, Main Street-Riley Park is known for its antique shops and easy drive to downtown.
►Suburbs: Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive-Grandview, Kensington-Cedar Cottage, Hastings-Sunrise, Main Street-Riley Park
A well-established, family oriented community, Dunbar features quaint tree lined streets, parks, and homes built mostly in the early 1900s which are geared towards more affluent professionals.
Quiet yet only a 20-minute drive to downtown, Kerrisdale is home to many families and retirees who appreciate its cosy community feeling. Marpole is another of Vancouver’s most multicultural communities, where many newcomers take advantage of its relatively affordable rental housing.
Sunset-Victoria-Fraserview is home of many of Vancouver’s Punjabi families, a fact reflected in its restaurants, markets and other businesses. Renfrew-Collingwood-Killarney tends towards lower income families of all kinds of backgrounds, so expect a mix of service businesses and rental housing.
►Suburbs: Dunbar, Kerrisdale, Marpole, Sunset-Victoria-Fraserview, Renfrew-Killarney
If you want to live in the Vancouver area but not in the city itself, note that many newcomers choose to live in communities nearby, because they are more affordable but are still within commuting distance.
These communities together are known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) or “Metro Vancouver. It is made up of 21 municipalities. Some of the places to consider in the Metro Vancouver area include: Burnaby (recently called “the best run city in Canada” by Maclean’s magazine); New Westminster (the old provincial capital), the “tri-city” area of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody; Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows (sometimes called “Ridge Meadows”); Richmond (an industrialized area near the airport with a large Asian population); and Surrey (the fastest growing city in British Columbia).
The city was founded by English, Scottish and Irish settlers, but now displays a true international makeup.Most recently, an influx of immigrants from China, which began when Hong Kong was transferred from the UK, continues today, with an estimated 30 percent of Vancouver residents having Chinese heritage.
The city of Vancouver is divided into four general areas: Central, West Side, East Side and South Vancouver.
Expats should keep in mind, there are many neighbourhoods to discover and explore. Take your time, do your research and find the community that fits you, your family situation and lifestyle.
Ideally, be sure to visit your potential neighbourhood yourself. Moving to a new country is a big step, and nothing compares to being there in person, talking to the locals and getting a feel for the community.
Areas in Vancouver Proper
Central
Vancouver is the kind of city where the most popular, thriving neighbourhoods are found in the downtown area, which features an enviable blend of high rise residential and commercial properties and a lively, “hip” feel.
The neighbourhoods just west of downtown, and in the North Shore (over the bridge) are also highly desirable. The West End (not to be confused with the West Side) is the most expensive and exclusive area in Vancouver, while the downtown’s notorious “Downtown Eastside” is a high crime rate, high poverty pocket. That said, gentrification is slowly transforming parts of the Eastside around Main and Fraser Streets, and historic Gastown, which is popular with tourists disembarking from cruise ships docked at the adjacent port.
Coal Harbour is a central/downtown area that has recently been transformed from a business/harbour area to a more residential one, with many high rise condos catering to young professionals.
Naturally, the farther away you travel from the downtown core, the lower the housing prices and cost of living. Vancouver’s extensive public transit system ensures that getting to and from the downtown core is relatively easy.
►Suburbs: Downtown, West End, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Gastown, Chinatown, Downtown Eastside
West Side
Granville Island is a popular market and tourist destination that is within ten minutes of downtown, but it isn’t primarily considered a residential neighbourhood. Nearby South Cambie-Oakride is the same distance from downtown, but features far more choices in terms of housing.
Housing is particularly dense in Kitsilano, which is known for its beaches and mountain scenery. For those with bigger budgets, Shaughnessy and West Point Grey are affluent neighbourhoods with older, luxury homes.
►Suburbs: Granville Island-Fairview, South Cambie-Oakridge, Kitsilano, Shaughnessy, West Point Grey
East Side
Strathcona is popular with Chinese families, and offers mostly rental homes and apartments. However, its proximity to the high crime Downtown Eastside may make new residents hesitant to move in.
Very close to downtown, Mount Pleasant is a mix of (rental) residential and business properties typical to the city of Vancouver. Meanwhile, Commercial Drive-Grandview reflects the city’s other famous characteristics: residents (and local restaurants) representative of a wide range of cultures who place particular importance on the arts and “green” living.
Kensington-Cedar Cottage and Hastings-Sunrise are two other multicultural, family oriented communities on the East Side. Densely populated yet safe and friendly, Main Street-Riley Park is known for its antique shops and easy drive to downtown.
►Suburbs: Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive-Grandview, Kensington-Cedar Cottage, Hastings-Sunrise, Main Street-Riley Park
South Vancouver
A well-established, family oriented community, Dunbar features quaint tree lined streets, parks, and homes built mostly in the early 1900s which are geared towards more affluent professionals.Quiet yet only a 20-minute drive to downtown, Kerrisdale is home to many families and retirees who appreciate its cosy community feeling. Marpole is another of Vancouver’s most multicultural communities, where many newcomers take advantage of its relatively affordable rental housing.
Sunset-Victoria-Fraserview is home of many of Vancouver’s Punjabi families, a fact reflected in its restaurants, markets and other businesses. Renfrew-Collingwood-Killarney tends towards lower income families of all kinds of backgrounds, so expect a mix of service businesses and rental housing.
►Suburbs: Dunbar, Kerrisdale, Marpole, Sunset-Victoria-Fraserview, Renfrew-Killarney
Vancouver: Nearby Communities
If you want to live in the Vancouver area but not in the city itself, note that many newcomers choose to live in communities nearby, because they are more affordable but are still within commuting distance.
These communities together are known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) or “Metro Vancouver. It is made up of 21 municipalities. Some of the places to consider in the Metro Vancouver area include: Burnaby (recently called “the best run city in Canada” by Maclean’s magazine); New Westminster (the old provincial capital), the “tri-city” area of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody; Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows (sometimes called “Ridge Meadows”); Richmond (an industrialized area near the airport with a large Asian population); and Surrey (the fastest growing city in British Columbia).
