Westside Neighbourhoods

DOWNTOWN

Unlike the downtown of many cities, Vancouver’s downtown core is vibrant, walkable, and safe. In fact, it’s by far the most walkable neighbourhood in the city, offering access to the bustling business district, the Granville entertainment district, a wide variety of renowned restaurants and retail stores, and a plethora of services and amenities. It is also home to Rogers Arena and BC Place Stadium.

Downtown can be further subdivided into a number of different areas including Coal Harbour, Gastown, Yaletown, and Chinatown – each with its own distinctive appeal. Housing here consists almost exclusively of condos ranging from tall glass towers to historic buildings with revitalized character. Bordered by Stanley Park to the West and the Seawall with beautiful parks along False Creek, this community contains plenty of outdoor recreational space for residents to enjoy. Click for FACTSHEET

THE WEST END

The West End is located on the Downtown peninsula. In perfect balance with this densely populated area, Stanley Park is just minutes away boasting 1,000 acres of coastal rainforest. The famous Vancouver Seawall offers residents unlimited access to the oceanfront, including an outdoor pool and four incredible beaches with perfect sunset views along the shoreline of English Bay.

Apartments in the West End come in many different heights and styles, ranging from vintage walk ups to modern high-rises. The traffic-calmed streets help to maintain a sense of peace and quiet in this neighbourhood. Extremely walkable and bike-friendly, this area offers premier shopping along Robson, eclectic eateries on Denman, and plenty of pubs in the proud and vibrant Davie Village. Click for FACTSHEET

KITSILANO

Kitsilano is a have for outdoor leisure enthusiasts with its extensive pedestrian and biker paths stretching along the stunning South Shoreline of English Bay. Home to the mammoth Kitsilano Pool and host to a number of community events such as the Khatsalano Street Party and Greek Days, this neighbourhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike who are drawn to Kitsilano’s relaxed lifestyle, sensations sunsets, sandy beaches, and abundant parks.

Kitsilano maintains its charming character by preserving the craftsman-style homes which are hallmark to the community. Main commercial districts on West 4th Avenue and Broadway offer an excellent selection of relation stores, casual restaurants and bars, and organic food markets. It’s no wonder it’s one of Vancouver’s favourite neighbourhoods! Click for FACTSHEET

FAIRVIEW

Fairview slopes uphill from the South edge of False Creek, where pedestrians and cyclists leisurely pass by resting marine watercraft as they admire the shimmering downtown landscape towering across the water. Within close proximity to the city center, many apartments and condos are located in this densely populated area.

Three main commercial corridors along Cambie, Broadway, and Granville
offer a diverse selection of shops and amenities. Fairview boasts a number of highly acclaimed restaurants and some of Vancouver’s most attractive patios. This neighbourhood is also home to the renowned Granville Island, which features a vibrant artistic community, an extraordinary fresh food market, and unique stores galore! Click for FACTSHEET

ARBUTUS RIDGE

Arbutus Ridge is a quiet residential community with some of Vancouver’s oldest and largest craftsman style homes. Positioned in the middle of Vancouver’s West side, this historic neighbourhood can be further subdivided into three areas: MacKenzie Heights in the uplands, Quilchena in low lying flatlands, and Arbutus in the North. This safe, close-knit community has a couple of small retail pockets, with the main shopping hub located at the Southeast corner in Kerrisdale Village.

The Arbutus Corridor – a nine kilometer stretch of land extending from the Fraser River to False Creek – hugs the East border of Arbutus Ridge. The city recently purchased this narrow property from CP Rail and hopes to transform it into a transportation greenway. Click for FACTSHEET

KERRISDALE

Kerrisdale ascends from the Fraser River, sitting pretty in Southwest Vancouver. From traditional bungalows with wildflower gardens to contemporary high-rise apartments with manicured lawns, many different types and styles of homes can be found here. Aged oak trees and lush foliage add extra curb appeal to this quiet, relaxed neighbourhood.

Kerrisdale Village near West 41st Avenue and West Boulevard offers an eclectic mix of cafes, casual restaurants, and independent retailers. Here you will find everything from high tea to bubble tea, precious antiques to modern gadgets, and thrift stores to chic boutiques. There are also many recreational amenities to enjoy in this neighbourhood including the Kerrisdale Community Centre, Cyclone Taylor Arena, and Maple Grove Pool. Click for FACTSHEET

DUNBAR-SOUTHLANDS

Nestled in the Southwest corner of Vancouver, Dunbar-Southlands has a town-and-country feel. Old trees arch over quiet residential streets, and a number of small storefronts along Dunbar Street have been established for more than 50 years. Bordered by 2,000 acres of forest to the West and equestrian acreages, urban farms, and golf courses along the Fraser River to the South, there is no shortage of nature here.

Dunbar-South lands is one of the city’s lowest-density neighbourhoods and consists almost exclusively of single-family homes and duplexes. A great sense of community exists here – where public events and festivals, garage sales, and block parties are commonplace. Click for FACTSHEET

WEST POINT GREY

West Point Grey is a sanctuary for nature lovers. Pacific Regional Park boasts more than 70 kilometers of trails running through 2,000 acres of temperate rainforest, an abundance of outdoor recreational space can be found at Jericho Beach Park, and a trio of sandy beaches – Spanish Banks, Locarno, and Jericho – line the waterfront with a panoramic view of the North Shore Mountains.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the bustling downtown center, West Point Grey possesses a quiet and peaceful quality. Detached homes are plentiful here, however plans have been made to further densify the main corridors. Along West 10th Avenue is the community’s shopping hub, complete with all of life’s necessities and simple pleasures. Click for FACTSHEET

SOUTH CAMBIE

South Cambie is Vancouver’s smallest neighbourhood, and is home to many of BC’s top medical facilities including BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre. Apartments and condos are on the rise in this centrally located neighbourhood, where two new SkyTrain stations along Cambie Street foreshadow further densification. Retail hubs are located at Cambie Village in the Northeast, Oakridge Centre to the South, and along Oak Street to the West.

Residents in South Cambie also have excellent access to parks and recreation. A little slice of paradise can be found near the South end of the neighbourhood, which lies between the exquisitely landscaped grounds of Queen Elizabeth Park and the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Click for FACTSHEET

SHAUGHNESSY

Shaughnessy is arguably the city’s finest example of a planned community. Located in the middle of Vancouver, this neighbourhood was originally designed by prominent architects and landscape architects to attract the city’s most affluent citizens. Large houses on generous lots dominate the landscape here, where property subdivision is limited to prevent densification.

The core of this neighbourhood is exclusively residential, but clusters of shops and servicers can be found along its borders on Oak Street to the East, South Granville Rise to the Northeast, Arbutus Village to the Northwest, and Kerrisdale Village to the Southwest. Shaughnessy’s most popular attraction is the acclaimed VanDusen Botanical Garden, which beautifully showcases a myriad of trees, plants and flowers from all over the world. Click for FACTSHEET

RILEY PARK

Riley Park has inherited a variety of architectural designs in its constant evolution, contributing to the community’s eclectic character. This neighbourhood is popular among families due to the availability of larger homes – not to mention easy access to recreational parks and facilities. Most notably, Queen Elizabeth Park boasts 360 degree views of the city from Vancouver’s highest point at the peak of Little Mountain, and the nearby Hillcrest Community Centre is fully equipped with an aquatic centre and ice rink.

The three major corridors running through Riley Park at Cambie, Main, and Fraser provide quick access to downtown and are home to numerous restaurants and services, a thriving farmers‘ market, and shops featuring antique furniture and locally designed clothing. Click for FACTSHEET