Vancouver Neighbourhood Guide for People Moving to the City

Vancouver is a city of distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own character, price point, and lifestyle. Here is a practical guide to help you choose the right area for your move.

West Side Neighbourhoods

Kitsilano (Kits): One of Vancouver's most popular neighbourhoods. Beach access, excellent restaurants and cafes, good schools, and a mix of young families and professionals. Higher rents than East Vancouver but very livable.

Point Grey: Quiet, upscale, close to UBC. Popular with academics and families. Excellent schools. Higher rents.

Dunbar-Southlands: Established, family-friendly, excellent schools. Quieter than Kitsilano. Good value relative to other West Side neighbourhoods.

Kerrisdale: Upscale village feel, excellent schools, walkable shopping strip. Popular with families.

Marpole: More affordable than other West Side neighbourhoods. Diverse, improving rapidly. Good transit connections.

Downtown and Adjacent

West End: Dense, walkable, close to Stanley Park and English Bay. Mix of older rental buildings and newer condos. Very walkable and transit-friendly.

Yaletown: Upscale, urban, converted warehouse district. High-rise condos, restaurants, and the seawall. Premium rents.

Coal Harbour: Waterfront, luxury condos, close to Stanley Park. Very expensive.

Downtown: Convenient but expensive. More commercial than residential.

East Side Neighbourhoods

Mount Pleasant: Arts district, independent coffee shops, creative community. One of Vancouver's fastest-changing neighbourhoods. More affordable than the West Side.

Commercial Drive (The Drive): Multicultural, walkable, strong community feel. Known for cafes, restaurants, and independent shops. Popular with long-term residents and families.

Main Street: Trendy, walkable, excellent restaurants and shops. Popular with young professionals.

Grandview-Woodland: Diverse, walkable, close to Commercial Drive. More affordable than Mount Pleasant or Main Street.

Hastings-Sunrise: Quieter, more residential. Good value. Improving rapidly.

Strathcona: One of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhoods. Artsy, eclectic, increasingly popular.

South Vancouver

Fraserview / Killarney: Quiet, family-friendly, more affordable. Good schools.

Victoria-Fraserview: Similar to Fraserview. Good value for families.

Choosing Your Neighbourhood

Prioritize your commute. Vancouver traffic is significant. Choose a neighbourhood that minimizes your commute time or puts you close to transit.

Visit before you commit. Walk around the neighbourhood at different times of day. Visit the local shops and restaurants. Talk to people who live there.

Check transit. Use TransLink's trip planner to check how long your commute will take from different neighbourhoods.

Ready to Move?

Get a free quote or call 778-200-8825. We serve all of Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas, 7 days a week.