There are many pros and cons to living in either North Vancouver or West Vancouver. The major pros include being close to nature, access to great restaurants and safe communities. Some of the cons include rainy weather and heavy traffic. Despite these drawbacks, many residents of North Vancouver are happy with the community they live in.
Kitsilano
The upscale Kitsilano neighborhood is just a short drive from downtown Vancouver, across the Burrard Bridge. This neighborhood is known for its easy access to the beach and is packed with boutique shops, yoga studios, and great restaurants. The area is also home to the Vancouver Museum and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
The Kitsilano district is also known for its unique waterfront streets. The Point Grey Road waterfront neighborhood is an excellent example of this. This low-traffic street is lined with modern and beachy architecture. This is a great place to watch the sunset. There are also plenty of cafes and specialty grocers.
While Kitsilano offers some of the best views of the city, there are also some downsides. For example, it is far from buses and SkyTrain stations. It is also more distant from downtown, which means more stop-and-go traffic. You’ll also find fewer hotels in Kitsilano.
If you’re a tourist, you may want to stay in a more centrally located area. Downtown Vancouver offers many attractions and amenities. You can walk to many places, including the water, Stanley Park, and Coal Harbour. However, if you’re planning a longer trip, you might want to consider the off-the-beaten-path neighbourhoods. You can also check out the Lower Lonsdale (Lo) area and Granville Island, which are less touristy than Kitsilano.
Kerrisdale
If you’re looking for a neighborhood that is both forward-focused and family-oriented, then Kerrisdale may be the neighborhood for you. This neighbourhood is located on the west side of Vancouver, BC, and has a great mix of old and new houses, along with midrise and condo apartment buildings. The neighbourhood is home to a diverse population of Caucasian and Asian Canadians. You’ll also find many great parks in the area, as well as a bustling shopping district.
The boundaries of Kerrisdale are a bit open to interpretation, but generally speaking, it’s a community located south of the 41st Avenue and north of Arbutus Ridge. The north side of the neighbourhood borders West 33rd Avenue and West Boulevard, while the south side is defined by Blenheim Street. Many people choose to live in Kerrisdale for its abundant greenery and semi-rural feel.
Kerrisdale has a diverse population, including many young professionals and the elderly. There are also many schools within the area. Students can attend Point Grey Secondary School, located just outside of the north boundary. Private schools such as Crofton House and York House are also close to the neighbourhood. Most Kerrisdale residents live in single-family detached homes, although there are some high-rise apartments as well.
If you’re interested in photography, Kerrisdale has a great camera store and photo processing facility. They also offer a variety of new cameras and accessories, as well as repair and trade services.
South Granville
When it comes to affordability, South Granville is one of Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods. The area is populated by upscale retail, art galleries, and restaurants. It is also a quick walk from the waterfront and offers great public transit options. However, many low-income residents may find renting in this area to be too expensive.
South Granville is a less touristy neighbourhood than its West and North Vancouver counterparts. However, it is still within easy reach of downtown. The Granville Entertainment District offers numerous nightclubs, bars, and live music venues. It is also home to a number of budget hotels.
South Granville’s main shopping and dining district is located in the downtown area. The commercial heart of the neighbourhood is along Granville Street, which continues south to the Stanley Theatre and Broadway. From there, Lonsdale Avenue is the commercial heart of North Vancouver, and the best part of the street is the stretch from Lonsdale Quay to 3rd Street.
The Granville Entertainment District is known for its rough-edged feel, but it is also bursting with life. It has many shops, cafes, and theaters, and is relatively safe. The area is home to numerous cheap street food vendors, as well as budget hotels and discount chains.
Coal Harbour
There are many benefits to living in Coal Harbour. This part of Vancouver is relatively quiet, and features both residential and business uses. The Waterfront skytrain station is nearby, and it’s easily accessible by foot from the other neighborhoods. Additionally, hotels in Coal Harbour are often upscale.
The Waterfront is the location of many corporate offices, and it’s a popular place for people arriving on cruise ships. This part of downtown Vancouver is quiet in the evening, but it’s also a hub of activity during the day. You’ll find a few restaurants in this part of town, and it’s easy to walk to the waterfront and Stanley Park. While Coal Harbour is generally quieter than other downtown areas, the area around the waterfront is often buzzing with food trucks.
Coal Harbour is close to the convention center, and it’s convenient to get to the city’s beaches. There are also floatplanes that go to the island. It’s important to note that some shops in the Coal Harbour area close early because they have business hours.
Gastown has many trendy cocktail bars and cute boutiques. West End is another diverse neighborhood, with easy access to shopping, Stanley Park, and the beach. Coal Harbour has luxurious hotels and epic views. Kitsilano has a more laid-back vibe. North Vancouver has mountains to the north and is close to the airport. It also has an Asian food scene.
Main Street
West Vancouver, British Columbia is a waterfront city in Canada‘s West Coast, situated next to North Vancouver. It has a population of 44,122 as of the most recent Canadian census. The city is home to Cypress Provincial Park, one of the venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The city is also home to Canada’s first shopping mall, the Park Royal Shopping Centre. In addition, West Vancouver is home to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, one of the main connecting hubs in British Columbia.
While the names of both streets are similar, the two communities have distinctly different naming conventions. In Vancouver, the city’s main thoroughfare is West Georgia Street, and is lined with the tallest skyscrapers in the city. It is home to many landmarks, including the Shangri-La Hotel and the Trump Tower. Unfortunately, the Trump Tower closed down in 2020 and went bankrupt.
Whether you’re interested in shopping, dining, or entertainment, Main Street is a great place to find the things you’re looking for. The area is packed with restaurants and stores, including the Park Royal Mall. There are also many strip malls and fast-food restaurants along Marine Drive.
While the city’s downtown is home to many businesses, there are other neighborhoods that have a distinct personality. Downtown Vancouver is centered on a peninsula bounded by English Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and Stanley Park. Other areas of the city have waterfront areas that are quiet and quaint, but still close to downtown.
If you’re a visitor to Vancouver for the first time or only for a few days, Downtown is the place to stay. It’s easy to reach most attractions on foot and via public transit. Plus, there’s no shortage of restaurants, shops, and pubs.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.