If you are planning to move to Vancouver or relocate to a new part of the city, you may already have an idea of what area you want to live in. But one of the great things about Greater Vancouver is that it offers a wide variety of different neighbourhoods, each offering something unique and wonderful.
Here is our guide to a couple of Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods – Kitsilano and Fairview.
If you are interested in other neighbourhoods, check out our recent article on Mount Pleasant, Cambie and Main Street.
Kitsilano
Just across Burrard Street Bridge, west of downtown Vancouver, you will find Kitsilano (or “Kits”, according to the locals). Its exact borders are the waterfront to the north and West 16th Ave to the south, Burrard Street to the east and Alma Street to the west.
This relaxed and trendy neighbourhood is known for its hippy origins in the 1960s and is the birthplace of well known athletic clothing brand, Lululemon. It has also consistently been a top area in Vancouver to buy a home, both for newcomers and locals alike.
One of the best things about Kits is the direct access to sandy beaches. This includes Kitsilano Beach, located right within the neighbourhood, as well as the gorgeous and sprawling Jerico and Spanish Banks beaches just west of the area. This, coupled with endless choices of well-loved restaurants, boutique shops, specialty food stores, and cafes make it a perfect place to call home.
It also has a very welcoming and residential feel, with detached homes and low-rise apartment buildings making it less daunting than the towering skyscrapers of downtown Vancouver.
It’s also a great choice for families looking to settle into an area long-term, thanks to its easy access to good schools, including daycares, elementary schools and secondary schools.
If you do not have a car or are dependent on transport, Kits has a walkability score of 92, a transport score of 74, and a bike score of 90, meaning it’s very easy to get around and you do not need to go far to enjoy amenities.
In terms of affordability, the overall cost of living is about equal to the Vancouver average and real estate prices are 1% lower than the Vancouver average.
Fairview/False Creek
Known for its sprawling views of downtown Vancouver, the (aptly-named) Fairview offers the perfect balance between city life and quiet residential living. It spans from Burrard Street in the west to Cambie Street in the east and starts at West 6th Avenue in the North until West 16th Avenue in the South.
One of the key selling points of Fairview is the direct access to the beloved Vancouver Seawall which is connected to False Creek. This offers an outdoor haven for those who love to walk, jog, rollerblade or bike.
This also means that Fairview is a great place to be if you don’t want to rely on a car and need to access the downtown core on a regular basis. The seawall has a lane dedicated to cyclists and is mostly separated from the city streets. This is reflected in its walk score of 93, its transit score of 81 and its bike score of 87, making it the 3rd most walkable neighbourhood in Vancouver.
Much like all the other desirable areas of Vancouver, it also offers a wide selection of restaurants, cafes, shops, and grocery stores. The commercial heart of Fairview is on South Granville north of West 16th, which also has a famous concentration of home decor shops, making for great window shopping after a Sunday brunch.
Let’s not forget that Granville Island is also part of Fairview, which means you get to access Granville Island Market, its top-notch bakeries, and shops featuring local artists, whenever you wish.
For families looking to move to this area, you will have access to schools, including daycares, and elementary and high schools. So, much like Kits, this is also a good area for a long-term investment.
The cost of living in Fairview is around 18% lower than the Vancouver average but you can expect average or above average pricing on homes, as this is a popular area with not a high number of places for sale.
Want to find the best area for you?
If you are looking for the right neighbourhood for you, you are invited to get in touch with Michele Laurent for more guidance. As a long-time Vancouver local, she will be able to give you unparalleled insight into different communities around Greater Vancouver.
To get in touch, email Michele at info@michelelaurent.ca or give her a call at 604-312-1266.
Meet Michele
With over 25 years of experience, Michele has been a consistent, top-performing realtor with 16 years of Medallion Club status; top 10% of the industry in Greater Vancouver.
Her clients can be confident in her knowledge, professionalism and efficient approach to the buying and selling process. The majority of her business comes from referrals from satisfied clients.
Michele is an expert at valuing properties, negotiating with finesse, and getting to know what works best for each client.