New Westminster, BC Area Guide

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New Westminster Reviews

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Family friendly Public transit is accessible Walkable to grocery stores Yards are well-kept Lots of parks Walkable to restaurants Friendly neighbors Safe at night Pet friendly Streets have sidewalks A quiet area Sense of community

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New Westminster, BC

New Westminster in British Columbia, which lies on the right bank of Fraser River, was named by Queen Victoria after her favourite part of London. As any New Westminster resident will tell you, is still today known as “The Royal City”. The tiny old city of New Westminster has grown rapidly in recent years and is slowly becoming a thriving community full of character with a quirky mix of heritage and modern shopping malls. It’s centrally located in the middle of Lower Mainland right in the middle of Metro Vancouver, with downtown Vancouver just a 20 minute drive away. The city is popular as a commuter suburb and has been attracting an influx of immigration and a generally young population because of its favourable cost of living and growing job opportunities.

With SkyTrain located around the city, getting around the city and to neighbouring places is no hassle and the highway connects New Westminster to different parts of the country. The 25-39 age group accounts for 24% of the population and this number continues to increase as young people move away from the high cost living of major cities. The city is home to a number of higher educational institutions that offer degrees and training certifications, which is attractive to the young adult demographic. Young families are also drawn to New Westminster due to the family friendly atmosphere and the number of public schools and private Catholic schools in the area.

Due to its proximity to the economic opportunities in Vancouver, with a lower cost of living, New Westminster is popular with those new to the country. The population is extremely multicultural and most immigrants are from South Asia, China and the Philippines.

New Westminster is great for walking, as all the popular areas in the city are located within close proximity. The lower downtown streets are fast filling with trendy restaurants and independent stores that promote local manufacturers. Locals love Localo Living Espresso Bar for its lavender lattes to be had with pastries from Vancouver Pie Hole. The Steel and Oak Microbrewery is another popular spot. Apart from the 48 parks in the city, the Westminster Pier Park has myriad activities, from all year farmers’ markets and shopping centres to food courts and artisan booths.