A few years ago I was faced with the gruelling task of apartment hunting in Vancouver, and I learned a lot along the way. In a city brimming with pockets of beauty, fun and culture, choosing a Vancouver neighbourhood to settle down in was no easy feat.
For some reason, my dear parents thought that the pandemic was the right time for me to fly the nest, making this extra difficult. I think it was the whole "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" philosophy (the irony isn't lost on me).
I'm sure we could all go on about the Vancouver housing crisis, but that's another article for another time. For now, let's leave it at this: Finding a studio apartment for $1,500 mid-pandemic was a "fun" challenge.
So, without further ado, this is my act of altruism for the day: Whether you're buying or renting, if you're moving to Vancouver, here's everything you need to know about what neighbourhood best suits you.
Note: There are five "sections" of Vancouver: The Westside, East Van, West Van, North Van and South Van. For this article, I'll be focusing on the Westside and East Van.
Kits Beach
Neighbourhood highlights: Coffee at 49th Parallel, happy hour on the LOCAL patio, walks on Kits Beach, and my favourite Whole Foods.
This neighbourhood is for: Anyone who thinks Vancouver's the most beautiful city in the world or anyone who has a dog.
Some areas aren't for everyone, but Kits Beach (or Kitsilano Point, if you want to be official about it) is the rare exception. No matter what Vancouver vibe you're looking for, Kits is the neighbourhood that has a little bit of everything.
It's right on the beach. It's got those gorgeous mountain views that we're always going on about. It's walkable. It's bikeable. It's got the flagship LOCAL location with Vancouver's best summer patio to meet other singles. I mean, what more could you want?
Davie Village
Neighbourhood highlights: Numbers Cabaret (Vancouver's oldest gay bar), Donair Dude for late-night bites, and DJ Johnny Jover at Celebrities Night Club.
This neighbourhood is for: If you're gay and/or love donair.
From Burrard Street to English Bay, Davie Village is a proud 2SLGBTQ+-friendly neighbourhood and we're here for it. If you're not sure whether or not you're in Davie Village, check the crosswalks. They're all painted in rainbow stripes, which has earned the City of Vancouver a few extra points in my book.
Commercial Drive
Neighbourhood highlights: Havana Cafe for happy hour, Cafe Calabaria for the most Italian-themed coffee shop you've ever seen (they have literal statues in the restaurant), La Grotta Del Formagio for the best sandwich you've ever had, and Kalena Shoes because it is my Nonna's best friend's business.
This neighbourhood is for: Anyone who loves hustle and bustle, and everything Italian.
Commercial Drive is a street, and while it seems weird to call it a neighbourhood because technically it shouldn't be, it just is. I don't make the rules. This area is right on the border between East Van and the Westside.
"The Drive" is Vancouver's Little Italy. While it doesn't have crosswalks painted with the Italian flag, every other restaurant serves brick oven pizza and is owned by a man named Gino or Marcello who will force an espresso on you at 9 p.m. Don't fight it. It's the Italian way.
If you're a low-key hippie who likes to bring your own reusable bag to the grocery store, this neighbourhood is for you. This is also one of Vancouver's less "developed" neighbourhoods. It has an Old-World charm to it. Just off of the high streets, there are beautiful heritage-house-lined streets. It's residential without being isolated. Plus, if you're driving, you can get downtown in five minutes.
Strathcona
This neighbourhood is for: Young couples looking to buy a forever home and/or have a baby.
Strathcona's just west of Commercial Drive, although the two neighbourhoods have such similar energies. If you like one, you'd like the other. Strathcona is a stone's throw from the "cooler" Gastown and Chinatown neighbourhoods. However, despite the close proximity, Stratchona is almost exclusively residential, so even though it's close to the action, you aren't looking over your shoulder when you're walking to your car at night.
Note: Mount Pleasant is a different neighbourhood south of Strathcona (on Main Street) that has a similar energy and would attract a similar tenant. However, it's less residential. Mount Pleasant's Main Street is a high street with lots of boutiques and independent businesses. Stratchona is almost like where you'd move to settle down after living in Mount Pleasant.
Gastown
Neighbourhood highlights: Funky Winker Beans for dive karaoke, Guilt and Co for live music, the Diamond for craft cocktails, and the steam clock for no one.
This neighbourhood is for: The cast of Riverdale and eternal bachelors.
Vancouver's nothing like New York, but if it was, Gastown would be the "New Yorkiest" part. You know how I know that? Whenever a CW show is shooting here but pretending to be in New York, they always shoot Hotel Europe (our version of the Flatiron Building).
Despite its proximity to the less desirable Downtown Eastside, Gastown is super pretty and totally worth it if you don't mind being in a less traditionally "safe" neighbourhood. It's not that it's unsafe, but in the same way New York is a big city and you should always keep your wits about you, Gastown's just like that.
If you love cobblestone roads and old-school street lamps, Gastown's probably for you. If you want to find an apartment with exposed brick and an open floor "loft" concept, your best bet would be to check out the apartment buildings on Water Street.
Note: Chinatown is on the other side of East Hastings, but has more or less the same energy as Gastown.
Yaletown
Neighbourhood highlights: Yaletown Nail Spa for acrylics, the Cross for overpriced but adorable trinkets, Rodney's Oyster Bar for when you want hot waiters to pour you free wine, and Banter Room if you're single and looking to flirt.
This neighbourhood is for: People who own a Chanel bag (or have bought a Chanel bag for a loved one).
Yaletown and Gastown have some aesthetic crossovers (like the aforementioned exposed-brick apartments) but the energy couldn't be more different. Yaletown is Vancouver's ritziest neighbourhood. To put it into internet terms, Gastown is the "dirty girl" aesthetic and Yaletown is the "clean girl." Two sides of the same coin though!
Yaletown is one of downtown's safer neighbourhoods, so if you're someone who's hyper-paranoid about walking home alone at night, you should be good here for the most part.
If you like going out but don't like going far, then Yaletown is where you want to be. It's not overcrowded but it's also not deserted. There's always something going on, and if you like to casually eat out often, this is one of the better neighbourhoods to do that. In this way, Yaletown is extremely walkable. For the girls whose job is self-care, Yaletown basically has the most boutique fitness studios per capita (Lagree, Soul Cycle, etc.).
Coal Harbour
Neighbourhood highlights: The seawall for walking, the Cactus Club for chicken wings and frozen peach bellinis, and the Pac Rim hotel bar for finding singles (or husbands hiding their wedding rings).
This neighbourhood is for: People who spent their younger days in Yaletown and now want to retire their partying ways.
Coal Harbour is Yaletown but with views. This neighbourhood is what you'd get if you mixed the sleekness of Yaletown with the serenity of waterfront living. It's home to some of the most luxurious condos in the city, and if you're the type who loves to sip coffee while staring at floatplanes taking off from the harbour, this is your spot.
It's also incredibly walkable, with the seawall right at your doorstep and Stanley Park just a hop, skip and a jump away.
Olympic Village
Neighbourhood highlights: The Seawall (I know, it's everywhere) and the lack of traffic during rush hour.
This neighbourhood is for: Young professionals and people looking for roommates.
Olympic Village is aptly named for its origins as the athlete's village during the 2010 Winter Olympics. And it shows. OV really has everything — great restaurants, craft breweries and those cool, modern condos that make you feel like you're living in the future. It's one of the newer neighbourhoods in Vancouver, and it has that fresh, clean vibe that new developments often have. Plus, it's right on the water, so you can enjoy those glorious False Creek views every day.
South Granville
Neighbourhood highlights: Heirloom for brunch (get the algae lemonade, it's everything), Meinhardt Fine Foods for gourmet groceries, Small Victory for croissants, and Value Village for quality thrifting.
This neighbourhood is for: WASPs and clean girls.
South Granville is where Vancouver's old money hangs out. Think art galleries, high-end boutiques and a general air of sophistication. If you're the type who enjoys sipping lattes at artisanal coffee shops while perusing the latest exhibits, you'll fit right in.
The homes in this area are charming and often come with price tags that reflect the neighbourhood's posh reputation. But hey, if you've got the means, it's a lovely place to call home.
Kerrisdale/Dunbar
Neighbourhood highlights: The Dunbar Theatre for popcorn to go, McDonald's on 41st if you're a teenager leaving a house party and looking for the afterparty, and Kix Tanning (RIP Hot Shots Tanning Salon).
This neighbourhood is for: People with big-boy jobs who have a family (aka teenagers and their parents).
Kerrisdale and Dunbar are some of the more popular residential neighbourhoods in Vancouver. We don't have suburbs, but if we did, these would be the suburbs. These areas are family-oriented, with quiet, tree-lined streets and beautiful homes that feel like something out of a John Hughes movie.
If you've got a couple of kids and a golden retriever, this is where you'll want to settle down. The schools are excellent, the parks are plentiful, and the vibe is just the right amount of calm.
And there you have it — a rundown of some of Vancouver's best neighbourhoods. Whether you're into the hustle and bustle of downtown living or prefer the quiet charm of residential streets, Vancouver's got a neighbourhood that's just right for you. Happy house hunting!
