A Quick Guide to the Best Vancouver Neighborhoods

South Granville and Shaughnessy – Turn of the Century Gem

South Granville’s Shaughnessy is home to some of the city’s oldest mansions and finest architecture, which is probably why it emanates a similar vibe to Vancouver suburbs, even though it’s located near the urban core. Its architectural landscape is comparable to some of the best cities to live in Europe. The neighborhood was originally established by the Canadian Pacific Railway back in 1907 as a place for the elites to build their estates, many of which are still standing today. Right through the center of Shaughnessy runs Granville Street, one of Vancouver’s main roads.

Try “Mansion Peeping” in the Area

Funnily enough, the neighborhood’s number one attraction is exploring turn of the century architecture, or going “mansion peeping,” as the locals would say. The most legendary building in the area is Hycroft, a fully-restored Edwardian mansion just off Granville Street. Even though it functions as a private club, they host many events that are open to the general public, allowing you to visit the grounds. Like most neighborhoods, Shaughnessy has no shortage of greenery. The best-known urban oasis is most definitely the VanDusen Botanical Garden at West 34th and Oak, with year-round displays of splendorous flowers and exotic plants.

Granville Street – the Urban Core

Granville Street is what you would call the central entertainment district, a.k.a. the heart and soul of the city. If you’re looking for a lively neighborhood with buzzing nightlife, the downtown portion of this street is the perfect place for your new home. Stretching from the Waterfront Station to Granville Street Bridge are the best restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in all of British Columbia. It will definitely make adjusting to a new country a lot easier! Although you should still focus on breaking the language barrier, since the area is famously multicultural.

Let Loose in the Heart of the City

This area is the epicenter of club culture, and we’re not just talking about the Great White North. Second only to Shanghai in China, the strip was once thought to have the highest neon concentration in the world, and you can still see evidence of this in the sparkling way the street comes to life after dark. The famous Art Deco venue, the Commodore Ballroom, has hosted the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, David Bowie, and Snoop Dogg ever since the Roaring Twenties. The Orpheum Theatre, another legendary establishment and home of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, is just a little further south. If you’re moving abroad alone, there’s no better hot spot for meeting new people, especially on the weekends.

South Main – the SoHo of British Columbia

South Main or SoMa refers to the section of Mount Pleasant located on Main Street between East 2nd and East 33rd Avenues, just southeast of the downtown peninsula. After a massive wave of gentrification, the neighborhood was swarmed with galleries, restaurants, craft breweries, and other similar establishments and transformed into the northern equivalent of SoHo, New York. It’s no longer perceived as the “wrong side of the tracks,” but rather as a trendy, up and coming area. If you worry about how to keep in touch with friends or feel homesick, the neighborhood’s familiar feel will ease your mind.

West End – the Safest Among Vancouver Neighborhoods

What is the safest neighborhood in Vancouver, you may ask? The answer is West End. Curled up against the city’s downtown center, it provides an insight into the true Vancouverite way of life. It’s also one of the best places to live abroad with a family! The area is surrounded by the English Bay, Granville, and Robson Avenues and is also home to the world-renowned Stanley Park. It was first constituted in 1862, when three gentlemen, known as the “Three Greenhorns,” each purchased around 180 acres of land and built the first upscale neighborhood of the city. It’s an extremely diverse place these days, a mecca to the gay community of the region (centered in Davie Village), and over 40,000 individuals from different cultural backgrounds. However, what it’s most known for are the breath-taking parks and resorts.

Get in Touch with Nature

The West End, immediately adjacent to Stanley Park, is a perfect place to get in touch with nature. It’s possible to rent bicycles all along Denman Street, and it is easy to get around even for a newcomer, thanks to a large number of designated bike lanes. Biking around the Seawall is a favorite pastime for both locals and tourists. You can even rent a kayak or try paddleboarding right in the English Bay if you have a passion for outdoor adventure. There’s also Vancouver’s iconic Inukshuk statue, which inspired the logo for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, located east along the Seawall.

Davie Village – an LGBTQ+ Safehaven

In this vibrant community in the very heart of West End, rainbow flags proudly adorn the lampposts between Burrard and Jervis Streets. Davie Village, known globally for its unique LGBTQ+ culture, is one of the best places to live in Canada.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, Mary!

There is no better way to unwind from the stress of international moving than having brunch on a patio somewhere in Davie Village. Most of the restaurants in this region are popular local hangout spots, so you’ll be seated among native Vancouverites, including maybe one or two famous drag queens that may or may not have appeared in RuPaul’s Drag Race. There aren’t that many high-end restaurants, but the menus offer a variety of international dishes, from Greece to Malaysia and even the United States. If you decide Davie Village is the perfect place for your new home, you will come to understand why Canada is one of the friendliest countries in the world. Check out the video below for a taste of the atmosphere.

Yaletown – an Off the Rails Neighborhood

Yaletown was once the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Western terminus, but the more recent reinvention happened back in 1986 when Vancouver hosted the World’s Fair. The waterfront along the north of False Creek was home to many of the venues. Since then, Yaletown has transformed into one of the chicest neighborhoods, packed with sidewalk cafes, funky restaurants, exclusive retail, and leafy parks, along with the warehouse district.

Kitsilano – the Rich Beach Borough

Would you like to know what is the richest part of Vancouver? Well, we can tell you that Kitsilano, or “Kits,” as it’s known locally, is definitely not among the cheapest places to live in Canada. The average housing price is around 1.5 million CA$ (1.2 million dollars), and that’s just a little above the standard cost of living in Vancouver. Established in the 1960s, Kitsilano was the hippy hangout of Vancouver, mimicking the spirit of Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. Today, its apartments and houses are mostly populated by affluent urban workers who don’t really care that much about flower power.

Cruise the Best Beaches in the World

Look north from Burrard Bridge, and you’ll catch a glimpse of a major green space on the waterfront known as Vanier Park. This place is home to some of the best family-friendly attractions in Vancouver, including the Vancouver Aquarium, H. R. MacMillan Space Center, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. The beach is also the venue for the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival held every year from June to September.

Kitsilano Beach is without a doubt one of the best beaches in Canada, complete with volleyball competitions, picnic spots, parades, and the mammoth Kitsilano Pool, an outdoor public saltwater pool right by the coastline. In that regard, it’s just a step beneath moving to the Bahamas! Over the course of the summer, the neighborhood also holds a variety of cultural events, including Greek Days on West Broadway and the Khatsahlano Festival along West 4th Avenue. You’ll forget all about the stress of moving once you set foot on the golden shores!