Places to live in Vancouver
So every few months I get an email from a friend (or friend of a friend twice removed) asking me about spots to live in Vancouver. Below is a brief, and subjective overview, of the different areas. This is not official by any means.
Some things to remember:
Vancouver is pricy and getting pricier.
• It’s a small city, very small, all neighborhoods are close to downtown.
• Despite its small size, the neighborhoods are quite diverse, each with a different character.
• This means you can kind of sniff out the spot that suits you best, whether you like shiny new apartments or more relaxed under-stated living.
• Check out craigslist, clicking on Vancouver, for all apartments. Most places are listed on craigslist and that’s how appointments and viewings are made.
YALETOWN – Filled with lots of very tall glass skyscrapers, there is no shortage of shiny new apartments (invariably decorated with leather furniture) in Yaletown. Its not so much a neighborhood as it is a collection of buildings that people happen to live in. Its spread out quite a bit, meaning you can live right by the water with some pretty views or along the streets of the centre of Yaletown which means living in an NY style loft (think Soho on a small scale). It’s a pretty pricey spot, and the units can be really small, so its not exactly great value for money. But its ready made living, everything is close by, 15 minute walk to downtown, and its pretty safe. Furthermore, if you own a pug dog you will really fit in.
Prices start at about $1200 for a one bedroom (cheap end) but average price is in and around $1600 - $2000.
Most buildings tend to have good security, concierge, fitness facilities, and parking. It’s a comfortable sort of plush living.
If you are looking for a one-month rental when you move to Vancouver there should be plenty of ready-made spots in Yaletown.
WEST END – I’m bias because I live here, and I love it. We lived in Yaletown for the first year of our Vancouver life, but a year of going up and down to the 28th floor got a bit annoying, although you can never tire of the views of the North Shore mountains and the Pacific evening sunsets. We paid about $2000 for a one bedroom of about 800sqft, furnished, including all bills. Probably not a great bargain but the novelty of living in the sky was very exciting for two Paddys (well, he’s not really a Paddy, sort of I suppose).
A friend was moving back to Toronto and his place, a two bedroom unit in the ground floor of a heritage house in the West End on the water was up for rent.
We came, we saw, we liked, we rented. We love having our own front door that doesn’t lead onto a corridor (sounds basic, but it can be a rarity in Vancouver) but more importantly we like the vibe of the West End. It’s the gay neighborhood of Vancouver, not that means a whole lot, but the buildings are much older, and tend to be only about 4 stories high. I’m guessing a lot of the buildings were built in the 60s/70s so they can look a bit dated on the outside but on the inside the units tend to be bigger and just a bit more relaxed. The streets are proper neighborhood style, tree-lined with no shortage of skunks/raccoons/squirrels. The squirrel:human ratio is pretty much on a par.
The West End is right by Stanley park and the water at English bay, so it has a much more leafy/nature feel to the area. (Compared to the urban feel of Yaletown or the industrial feel of Gastown). Its just a chilled out, pretty, and friendly place to live with lots of shops close by. And its about 20mins on foot to downtown. You could probably get a one bed starting at $800 - $1200, or maybe less. In Dublin terms, I guess this is more Ranelagh/Rathmines....
GASTOWN – Heading out of Vancouver on the East side, Gastown didn’t really exist as a legitimate neighborhood until a few years ago (I think, I could be totally wrong, maybe ignore that). Gastown is comprised of a lot of reclaimed, redeveloped buildings, warehouses and the likes. It’s a pretty artsy sort of neighborhood, lots of hipsters, film and design based studios, people with ironic sunglasses and skinny jeans (I’m stereotyping, just to make it easier). You can pick up a pretty sweet industrial sort of loft, but there are also lots of shiny new apartments popping up (such as the new Woodwards building). Rents are getting more expensive, I’m guessing you would be looking at $1500 at the lower end. Its super close to downtown.
The centre of Gastown is pretty much Water Street and it surrounding streets.
EAST VANCOUVER – This is one of those neighborhoods that grows on you. Initially I didn’t appreciate its character. It’s a pretty cool part of town with a lot of interesting stuff going on, nice boutiques, great places to eat, cute little character houses in certain spots (around Commerical). It doesn’t have the polish of Yaletown or the sophistication of Kitsilano, but it is a very relaxed, liberal sort of neighborhood where anything goes.
East Vancouver is anywhere North of Main and 1st/2nd (be careful where though, because there is a very sketchy part of East Vancouver, known as the Downtown East Side, which is one of North America’s poorest neighborhoods, with a serious drug and homeless problem). Its very condensed to a few blocks, so you won’t end up renting there, but that said, you might not be comfortable being too close to it). The poorest part is in and around Main and Hastings. Close to Gastown.
The sweet parts of East Van, including Commerical Drive, are around Main and 10th and North of there. Its pretty funky, and my friend Meghan lives there, and she’s very funky and has nice clothes.
STATHCONA – This neighborhood didn’t really feature on my radar until recently, when I drove through it. It’s really pretty in parts, lots of cute houses being renvoted and nice gardens and little itneresing shops. Like a lot of East Vancouver areas, it suffers in reputation perhaps, due to it proximity to the Downtown East Side (DTES) but you can root out some nice spots and I expect its pretty affordable.
KITSILANO This is opposite the West End across the Water. Its futher from downtown because of the small problem of the Pacific, but you could cycle there in 20 mins or so from downtown, and who wants to live in downtown anyway?!
Kitsilano is by the sea, it’s very “Vancouver” (think lots of fit looking attractive people sipping coffee in lycra workout clothing) and its not exactly edgy. But it’s lovely and suburban and safe, and pricey. I guess it’s a utopia for middle class families, and its right by some lovely beaches and walks and shopping areas. Rents are pretty pricey though. I’m guessing $1600 onwards for one bed.
NORTH SHORE/NORTH VANCOUVER – over the bridge (going North) and across the water. More houses and apartments and shared houses and levels. Don’t know much about it, but lots of younger people and young families live over there, its cheaper and close to the mountains but further from downtown. If you want to be close(er) to the mountains and maybe are looking for something a bit cheaper (not much though) then it’s a good option. A sea bus takes commuters from the North Shore (at Langdale) across to downtown in about 10 minutes, its terribly handy. Don’t think its full of young folk, and not sure if its ideal if you like to be out late.
WEST VANCOUVER If you recently won the lotto or have a spare $16 million in your bank account, then this might be the spot for you. Its beautifully manicured, like the Beverly Hills of Vancouver in some parts, and there are more porches than you knew could exist.
