West Vancouver, BC Area Guide

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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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West Vancouver, BC

Located to the northwest of the Vancouver Metropolis, just a 20 minute drive away from downtown, West Vancouver is a popular commuter suburb. With its scenic views, luxurious homes and safe communities, the city is an ideal place for retirees or those with young families. In addition, the area is fast becoming the Hollywood of Canada with many in the entertainment industry choosing to relocate here. The city’s diverse communities, high safety and low unemployment keep it consistently high on “Best places to live in Canada” lists and our West Vancouver Livability guide will show you all the reasons why.

However, you should know that West Vancouver has an extremely high cost of living, with one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. With most houses hitting the $2,000,000 mark, it is no wonder that the beautiful neighbourhoods have become the playing grounds for the country’s elite. Families with children favour the Caulfield area due to its quiet neighbourhoods, playing fields and good schools. Dundarave is quite possibly one of the most popular places to live because the attractive landscaping, beautiful beaches and the sea walk. If you work in downtown, you should definitely take a look at Ambleside, from where you can just take a short bus ride to commute to downtown Vancouver.

Although you can find employment in local businesses, most people commute to downtown Vancouver or other parts of the North Shore to work. The Lions Gate Bridge connects the city to downtown, however can get crowded due to the high traffic volume. Translink provides bus services along Marine Drive and to other communities in the area. Both private and public schools in the area are consistently ranked high for performance and there are plenty of facilities in the vicinity for a well-rounded education.

In addition to having easy access to the big city lifestyle of Vancouver, you’ll get to enjoy the best of a quieter family lifestyle within the city. West Vancouver is dotted with a number of pristine beaches and a great activity in the warmer months is to hike along Lighthouse Park, set up a picnic and walk down to the beach after lunch. In the winter, Cypress Mountain is a resident favourite and a great opportunity for winter sports. Catch the shuttle bus from Lonsdale Quay and go skiing, tobogganing and snow tubing to your heart’s content.