Communities: Vancouver WestSide - North Vancouver - West Vancouver
Vancouver West Side
The West Side has some of the most expensive housing in the Greater Vancouver region.
The West Side contains different types of housing ranging from small bungalows, through condominium complexes to multimillion-dollar waterfront estates. Older "character" houses are popular on the West Side and you can expect to pay a lot for them.
Although much of the housing is single family housing, several neighbourhoods such as Downtown, the West End, False Creek and Fairview Slopes have primarily apartments and townhouse developments.
Shopping
The West Side is a shopper's paradise and attracts people from all over Greater Vancouver. Downtown shopping revolves around Robson Street, with its designer fashion stores, and Gastown, a popular tourist destination full of small boutiques and gift shops.
Fourth Avenue, in the heart of Kitsilano, is another trendy shopping spot. Browse through the upscale boutiques, gift stores and bookstores or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes. South Granville Street and 10th Avenue also have excellent shopping.
Downtown is home to General Motors Place (hockey), BC Place (football), the Queen Elizabeth theatre, the Vogue and Orpheum theatres and "movie theatre row" on Granville Street.
Transportation
Downtown Vancouver is only a 10 to 20 minute drive from most other areas in the West Side. Access to bus routes, SkyTrain stations and bikeways, makes it easy to get around without a car.
Recreation
The West Side is blessed with an abundance of parkland and over 50 kilometres of beaches. Walking along the water you can go from Kits beach to Jericho, Locarno, Spanish Banks and "clothing optional" Wreck Beach.
Stanley Park, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Queen Elizabeth Park, and dozens of smaller neighbourhood parks offer a wealth of recreational opportunities within the city.
Community Web Sites
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/
http://www.vanmag.com/cityguide/default.html
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/community_profiles/index.htm
North Vancouver
Surrounded by the stunning Coastal Mountain range, the City and District of North Vancouver are located on the North Shore of the Burrard Inlet, stretching east from Lion's Gate Bridge to Seymour Arm.
Average household income in both the City and the District are higher than the Greater Vancouver average, making it quite an affluent area. The area contains many young professionals with families as well as retirees and seniors.
Housing
Housing prices are lower than in neighbouring West Vancouver, but higher than most other suburban areas in the Greater Vancouver area.
In the District, there is a high level of home ownership of mostly single-family detached housing. Condominium and townhouse developments are more common in the City of North Vancouver, although higher density development in the District has increased.
To find the zoning on a specific property, ask your Realtor or contact the District or City of North Vancouver.
Shopping
Norrth Vancouver's many shopping districts offer a wide range of services, restaurants and shopping. The historic heart of North Vancouver is Lower Lonsdale. With the addition of the SeaBus, the area whole has undergone a resurgence. Visit the many shops, restaurants and art galleries or enjoy the open food market and numerous boutiques at Lonsdale Quay.
Capilano Mall on Marine Drive has over 100 shops and services and there are many restaurants and shops along Lonsdale Avenue. Other shopping areas include Edgemont village, Lynn Valley Centre and Deep Cove.
Recreation
North Vancouver is blessed with an abundance of parkland allowing residents to choose from a wide range of outdoor activities. You can ski at Grouse Mountain and Mt. Seymour, hike and cycle the miles of trails, and boat and swim at the local beaches.
Transportation
To get to the North Shore from most areas you need to cross either the Lions Gate Bridge or the Second Narrows Bridge. However, with a well-developed public bus system and quick access to the Trans Canada Highway it is relatively easy to get to other parts of the Greater Vancouver region. The SeaBus, a passenger ferry, links Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver to Downtown Vancouver in a 12 minute ferry ride.
Education
The North Vancouver School District serves residents of both the District and the City of North Vancouver. To find out more contact the school district at:
North Vancouver School District
721 Chesterfield Ave
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada, V7M 2M5
Telephone: (604) 903-3444 Fax: (604) 903-3445
email: info@nvsd44.bc.ca
For school rankings, visit the B.C. Ministry of Education site or contact the North Vancouver School District for detailed school profiles.
http://www.gov.bc.ca/bvprd/bc/channel.do?action=ministry&channelID=-8382&navId=NAV_ID_province
Information on post-secondary programs can be found at the Capilano College Web site.
http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/index.html
Services
Both North Vancouver District and City offer a full array of community services, including public libraries, RCMP services, the Fire Department, and Lions Gate Hospital.
For information on other services go to http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=3&i=61.
West Vancouver
Bounded on two sides by water, the district of West Vancouver stretches along 28 kilometres of shoreline and up the lower slopes of Hollyburn Mountain, between Capilano River valley and Horseshoe Bay. This area of outstanding natural beauty has the highest income in Canada and a low crime rate. Its residents are strongly committed to maintaining the high quality of life and the charm of the municipality.
Housing
West Vancouver is a residential area with no industrial zoning. Most of the housing stock consists of single family homes a choice of old summer cottages, modest homes and multimillion-dollar waterfront estates. If you are looking for a house of outstanding architectural quality with breathtaking views, West Vancouver is a perfect place to start.
Multifamily developments are relatively scarce but there is an intention to provide a wide range of housing types and sizes. High rise apartment buildings are located along the eastern beachfront.
The municipality is taking care that new development continues to enhance the park-like environment with a well-balanced housing density and limited tree cutting. All land above the 1,200-foot elevation is preserved for recreational purposes. House prices are the highest in the region.
Shopping
Park Royal is one of the largest shopping malls in the region with one million square feet of retail and office space.
Ambleside and nearby Dundarave are the liveliest retail sections of West Vancouver. Connected with a 15-block long seawall only a block from the waterfront, these two centres feature hundreds of shops, galleries, excellent restaurants, and all kinds of services.
Caulfield Centre, servicing affluent new developments in the area, features one of a kind stores and services. Horseshoe Bay's commercial centre abounds with restaurants and other tourist and traveler related amenities.
Recreation
West Vancouver has over 2,500 hectares of parkland. The area is noted for excellent salmon fishing and contains many popular spots for boating, swimming, and scuba diving. There are excellent marina facilities and numerous waterfront parks attracting visitors from the entire region.
Cypress Provincial Park offers day and night downhill skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, hiking and cross-country skiing along with fabulous views of Vancouver.
Transportation
The picturesque Lion's Gate Bridge connects West Vancouver to Downtown Vancouver. The district has its own beloved "Blue Bus", the first public transit system in Canada to be totally wheelchair-accessible. It connects various parts of the district with Vancouver and with buses driving to other cities.
The Upper Levels Highway, part of the Trans Canada Highway, traverses the area from east to west providing fast road access to other parts of the region.
Horseshoe Bay at the northwest edge of the district is a major terminus for the provincial ferry system. It services Nanaimo (on Vancouver Island), Bowen Island, and the nearby Sunshine Coast.
Education
West Vancouver public and private schools have an excellent reputation.
You can find information on public K-12 schools at the School District #45 Web site.
For school rankings, visit the B.C. Ministry of Education site or contact School District #45 for detailed school profiles.
http://www.gov.bc.ca/bvprd/bc/channel.do?action=ministry&channelID=-8382&navId=NAV_ID_province