Sep 30, 2022
Best suburbs in and around Vancouver
Finding the perfect spot to base yourself is all about assessing your options, getting to know the neighborhood, and finding somewhere that just feels right. The problem is that a city like Vancouver has so many great options that it can be hard to know where to start. To make the process as quick, easy and enjoyable as it should be, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to the best suburbs the area has to offer. Whether you want to be near the center, or a little further out, you’ll find something that’s right for you. Enjoy!
Suburbs within Vancouver City you need to know about
Let’s start with some of the most popular locations that lie a little closer to the center of the city than the other entries on this list. Hopefully find a couple of great additions to your shortlist!
Fairview
With a charming name like that, how could you not want to take a closer look? The community spirit and clean streets combine with excellent transport infrastructure to create a location that’s perfect for professionals. If you want to find value for money when it comes to property, it’s always worth looking at some of the slightly less well known zip codes in the area. That way you can make your budget go that little bit further while finding a house that really feels like home from the moment you arrive.
Strathcona
This is a go-to destination for people who want the best of both worlds in terms of travel connections for work and a variety of different property options. You’ll find all of the local amenities are well serviced and resourced, giving the place a sense of community that can be so hard to find in today’s major cities. Add to that the variety of healthcare and education options for those with children, and you have a location that’s sure to make you feel at home in no time at all. Perfect when you want to make a life for yourself in one of Vancouver’s most desirable corners.
Mount Pleasant
Another eye-catching and charming name is the third entry on our list, and for good reason. This is an area that’s undergone extensive remodeling and investment in recent years, giving it a fresh and vibrant feel that’s hard to put a price on. Not only that, it’s also a great location to raise the kids if you want to be far enough out to relax, but close enough to the center to still have quick and easy access to all the major events and attractions. Base your growing family there and you’ll be assured of a quiet and social way of life that gives you something to smile about all year round.
West End
Fourth on our list is the iconic West End: a location not to be missed or glossed over by anyone looking to find their perfect base within Vancouver. You’ll find a variety of local shops, some larger chains, and plenty of public transport connections when you want to get closer to the most built-up parts of the city. Put all of these together and you’ll be able to get the perfect mix of small town living and city escapism. Ideal if you want to live in an area that will suit you as you transition from professional, to parent, to someone looking to make the most of your golden years.
Yaletown
We’re now midday way through the first portion of this article, and it certainly wouldn’t be anywhere complete with a mention of Yaletown. There’s been a real influx of professionals and young families in the last decade, in large part due to the reputation it has for safe, clean and quiet streets. This gives the area a charming and inviting atmosphere that will allow you to live the life you want. You’ll also be close enough to the center of Vancouver to work in any of the major professional industries, and connected enough to the outskirts if you want to work in some of the larger, more industrial professions that are further out.
Kerrisdale
We love Kerrisdale and see it as something of a hidden gem or best kept secret when it comes to Vancouver living options. The more time you spend there, the more you’re going to grow to like it. While it may not quite have the name recognition of some of the other names on this list, it does allow you to live life at your own pace. Ideal if you’re someone who wants to have the freedom and security that comes from having the peace of mind that your property will always be a sound investment. It’s also possible that there will be a larger influx of professionals in the years ahead, driving up property prices and allowing you to upgrade with minimal effort.
South Cambie
If you love the charm of Vancouver living and want to feel right in there and part of the wider community, this is the place to base yourself. We think you’ll grow to love the place in a way that’s hard to put into words, but we’re going to try. It’s the way in which the locals are always happy to greet you, offer some recommendations when you ask them, and wish you well that we think will really stick with you. Before you know it you’ll be so settled that you won’t think of returning the favor when a visitor stops you on the street. A great option for the more social and community orientated out there who wants to join in and help foster a sense of community.
West Point Grey
This is another area that has a charm that intrigues you out and makes you want to know more. There’s a great range of independent stores, family businesses and local institutions that allow you to feel right at home and find everything you could ever need as soon as you arrive. You’ll also be able to quickly and easily access all of the other major parts of the city thanks to great road and bus infrastructure. There’s a little less traffic than other parts of the city that lie a similar distance from the center, allowing you to live life at your own pace so you never feel like you’re always in a rush and battling to get somewhere.
Kitsilano
The beauty of this location is the way in which it welcomes you with open arms and lets you feel like you’re part of something in your early days of getting used to everything. Schooling, healthcare, policing and transportation are all looked after the right way with strong and consistent public funding. This gives you a great option that will allow you to make a life for yourself in one of the safest and cleanest sections of Vancouver.
Shaughnessy
Last but not least for this section we come to Shaughnessy — a charming little location that will prove you’ve made the right choice before you know it. There’s a vibrant local culinary scene with independent eateries and stores offering something a little different to some of the other portions of the city. You’ll also find some green spaces and community buildings that invite you to live life at your own pace when it’s time for a little downtime. Ideal when you want to enjoy family life and put down roots that you’ll never want to pull up.
Next up, let’s move a little further out and take a look at what the rest of the city has to offer…
Suburbs outside of Vancouver City you need to know about
Keep reading, keep an open mind, and keep an eye out for a location that fits with everything you’re looking for. You never know, you might just be about to find the place you’ll live happily for years to come!
Burnaby
We love Burnaby because it’s one of those places that allows you to rest and relax the moment you put your key in the door. It’ll be one of those places that gives you the perfect combination of peace of mind and options to enjoy yourself. There’s a lively social scene when you know where to look and great schooling options for the kids. What else do you really need when you want to find a great place to base family life?
Surrey
This is a name that will jump out to many of you reading this because of the positive press it so often gets online. Surrey is a green, leafy and open community that’s perfect if you want to live life at a slightly slower place than other parts of Vancouver. It’s also a great option for those of you who want to be able to connect with independent, family run businesses with the minimum of effort. Get to know the locals and you’ll soon be one of them; and once that happens, you’ll never want to leave!
West Vancouver
Heading out west isn’t just about getting away from the occasional hectic chaos you’ll encounter if you live right in the center; it’s about finding a place that gives you options. Despite the fact that you’re living that bit further out, the public transportation options and road network will make it nice and easy to work just about anywhere. This is great news for those of you who want to have the option to balance your work and home lives the right way.
North Vancouver
Head north and get closer to the coast and you’ll find a great mix of community living and natural scenery. You’ll be able to get to whichever part of the city you need to when it’s time for work, and then on the weekend you’ll be able to quickly and easily reconnect with the great outdoors. This gives you a great sense of balance that will allow you to get to know the wider area that surrounds Vancouver, not just the city center that’s bound to entice you with endless events and attractions.
Coquitlam
For those of you who haven’t heard of this entry, this is definitely your lucky day. We like the way in which it connects green spaces and outdoor experiences with a strong sense of community. Not only will this give you a great place to base yourself when it’s time to rest and relax after work, it’ll also help you get a little bit better value for your money. Property prices in Coquitlam will be a little lower when you move further out — ideal if you want to move to a larger property without having to completely rebalance your budget.
Port Coquitlam
Nearby is another area well worth consideration, and one that’s sure to make you feel welcome with the minimum of effort on your part. This is an area where everyone knows the neighbors and is always happy to lend a helping hand if you need it. Great if you want to feel like one of the locals in no time at all, get your kids lined up with clubs and playdates, and find the best places to eat and drink with your neighbors in the evenings.
New Westminster
New Westminster is a classic little community that has a well defined hub and sense of communal togetherness. You’ll feel a part of it without much effort, which will help you fit in and create a new social life outside of work. If you’re blessed with kids, they’ll have plenty of outdoor spaces and natural greenery to place amongst. This is great news for those of you who want to make sure they’re active, happy and engaged by your new life in Vancouver.
Langley
The great thing about Langley is that you can get more for your money in terms of square footage than many other parts of the city. You will have a whole host of different styles and layouts of property, allowing you to more or less take your pick in a way that you can’t when you’re right in the center and space is at much more of a premium. Add in the heavy investment in healthcare and education and you’ll find a community that’s always ready to welcome you with open arms.
Port Moody
Port Moody is another location that offers fantastic value for money when you want to upgrade your floor plan and create your dream family home. You can find a nice balance between a short commute to another part of Vancouver, some local work if that’s a better fit, and weekend activities that are sure to give you something to smile about. Put it all together and you’ll have a lovely little life for you and your family.
Abbotsford
Another area well worth a closer look, and one which allows you to live life at your own pace thanks to an open community and a variety of green spaces. The good news for those of you who are moving to Vancouver to slow down and enjoy your golden years is that this is one of the most popular locations for people looking to do exactly the same. It’s charming, quiet and safe: three things that allow you to enjoy your new way of life in Abbotsford.
Maple Ridge
This is an area that has so much more to offer than a homely name that instantly paints a picture of you putting your feet up and relaxing at the end of a long day. The overall community spirit is a reflection of the independent stores and natural scenery, both of which allow you to enjoy yourself in a variety of different ways. We love Maple Ridge for a few other reasons too: great transport connections, clean streets, plentiful employment options, great education options for the kids.
Mission
Last but not least, you need to go and check out Mission. It’s small, quaint and charming, and a place that will set you at ease from the day you arrive. Not only is it far enough out to rest and relax, it’s also a self-contained community that gives you small town vibes in the shadow of a buzzing metropolitan area.
Final thoughts
Take your time to work through your options and you’ll have a shortlist before you know it. From there it’s a case of figuring out what you want, how much your budget is, and how your location will fit with your work arrangements. Take it one step at a time and you’ll make progress in no time at all.
