June 7th, 2010
On the North Shore adjacent to West Vancouver lies the vibrant community of North Vancouver. North Van faces Vancouver across the Burrard Inlet, and has great views of the rest of Metro Vancouver – especially by night. North Vancouver has two main regions: its city limits, and the District of North Vancouver.
The City of North Vancouver is built-up, with a wide range of housing choices. Most of the buildings in this area are either high-rise or low-rise apartments, and offer the convenience of being close to downtown Vancouver. The Seabus is a 15-minute ride across the water, and for those who would rather travel by land, the Lions Gate Bridge is also nearby. Lonsdale Quay is North Vancouver`s waterfront, and features great shopping and food in its marketplace. Park Royal Shopping Centre, Canada`s first shopping centre, is also nearby. Young professionals will love living in this area for its urban characteristics and its proximity to Vancouver.
The District of North Vancouver is almost entirely single family residences, with few commercial areas. It is a family-oriented area, with lots of schools, parks and recreation. This area is further away from Vancouver, but still reasonably within distance and somewhat connected by transit. With higher-than-average rents, North Vancouver is still a very popular place to live.
You will like North Vancouver if you`re looking for:
- A range of housing options
- Suburban life separated from the city, with city-style amenities
- A great place to raise a family
Find your home in North Vancouver today!
Tags: north vancouver, north vancouver rentals, rent in north vancouver
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June 6th, 2010
Perched between the North Shore mountains and the Burrard Inlet, West Vancouver (West Van, if you`re a local) has some of the most stunning views anywhere in the Fraser Valley. Accordingly, West Van also has some of the least affordable real estate and rental prices in all of Metro Vancouver. Mansions and luxury condominiums line the winding streets, and luxury cars of every brand imaginable are ubiquitous. The area is overwhelmingly residential, and with the exception of the highway that divides its upper and lower regions, West Vancouver is very quiet – almost rural.
While there are not many local commercial amenities, West Van has an amazing community centre, complete with a lap pool and a rock climbing wall. Almost all residents use their cars, and the shopping district of Lonsdale and the Park Royal shopping centre are only a few minutes away. West Vancouver is also close to the downtown core, though all North Shore traffic to downtown crosses the Lions Gate Bridge, making for some rough rush hour traffic. However, traffic here is still not bad compared to many other cities in North America, and West Vancouverites will tell you that the view from their backyards (and even, on steeper slopes, from their basements!) is well worth the price. Recently-relocated executives and families looking for large luxurious accomodations will love West Vancouver.
You will love living in West Vancouver if you`re looking for:
- luxury suburban accomodation with stunning views
- a car-oriented lifestyle, far from commercial or other noisy areas
- an exclusive, safe neighbourhood
Find yourself a home in West Vancouver today
Tags: altamont, british properties, dundarave, rent in west vancouver, west vancouver, west vancouver rentals
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June 5th, 2010
Once the provincial capital of british Columbia, New Westminster (known by locals as New West) has had its ups and downs over the years. By the 1980s it had degenerated into one of the Lower Mainland`s most crime-ridden areas. However, New West has undergone some drastic revitalization since then, and with the housing boom across the Fraser Valley, new high-rise condos have sprung up all over downtown New West. Now populated by a mix of low income, middle income, and upper-middle income people, New Westminster is rapidly becoming the must-live destination for young singles, couples, and families.
New West is a very diverse area. It has its own distinct downtown core which is mainly commercial with high-rises. It also has a lot of low-rise apartment blocks surrounding the downtown core, and after these, a lot of older single-family homes. Many of the structures in New West are either historic, or heritage-inspired. A lot of smaller buildings and single famil homes actually pre-date the 20th century, and the area has the feeling of a traditional Western European city. The influx of young families is attributed to the abundance of new developments, as well as older and more affordable housing options. This in turn has brought new retailers, and the streets are lined with funky boutiques and eateries. The city is also conveniently located along the skytrain line, and offers rapid transit into Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, and Coquitlam. Many buses also connect the area, making New Westminster a popular place for people who want to live away from Vancouver, but commute regularly to downtown.
You will love living in New Westminster if you`re looking for:
- A young, vibrant neighbourhood with heritage roots
- more affordable housing than can be found in Vancouver
- Convenient, rapid transportation to downtown Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and Coquitlam.
Find a home in New Westminster now!
Tags: new westminster rentals, rent in new westminster
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June 4th, 2010
Nestled at the tip of Point Grey, UBC is British Columbia’s highest-ranked university. Students and professors come here from around the world to study and teach. Accordingly, there are a wide variety of housing options available. UBC is not the most affordable place to live, but the large student and recent graduate population give it a lot of energy and fun – and the amenities nearb are all student-oriented.
While UBC itself offers a lot of housing options for students, all of these are either available through a lottery system, or are quite expensive. The residential areas surrounding UBC offer a lot of low-rise, high-rise and single family housing options, most of which are for rent to students, faculty and UBC staff. These rents are still typically above the city average, but most students share accommodation with roommates, which makes living near to UBC more affordable. The UBC area is quiet overall, but does have some local amenities. Aside from the facilities owned and operated by UBC, there is a small commercial area just outside of the university commonly known as ‘the village’. The village is home to a number of restaurants and shops, as well as most services you might need on a regular basis. A few minutes off campus is the shopping strip along 10th ave, as well as shopping, restaurants and pubs along 4th.
If you like outdoor activities, you will enjoy living in the UBC area. Surrounded on 3 sides by the ocean and on the remaining side by Pacific Spirit Park, there are many trails to job, hike and walk. Even in the winter, the beaches are popular – and in the summer, they are almost always crowded. If you’re looking to explore your free-spirited side, Wreck Beach, Vancouver’s nude beach, is at the south-western tip of UBC. Nearby is the equestrian neighbourhood of Southlands, and the Museum of Anthropology – as well as the heritage-grade Cecil Green House – are always interesting to tour.
You will love living at UBC if you’re looking for:
- proximity to the university
- a quiet neighbourhood that still has a youthful vibe
- lots of outdoor recreational activities nearby
Find a place to live at UBC today!
Tags: rent at UBC, UBC rental housing, University of British Columbia
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June 3rd, 2010
The Southlands occupy the south-west corner of Vancouver’s city limits. It is one of Vancouver’s most lush neighbourhoods: it boders Pacific Spirit Park in the University Endowment Lands, and features two of Vancouver’s most exclusive golf courses: Point Grey and Marine Drive. Needless to say, Southlands is home to some of Vancouver’s most exclusive properties. The low-lying wetlands near the Fraser River were an ideal place to the city’s first farms and equestrian estates. Some of these are still intact – mainly the equestrian estates – while other massive lots have been purchased by Vancouver’s most wealthy citizens and turned into sprawling country mansions. Southlands is the only rural area in any major Canadian city within 15 minutes of the downtown core, which makes it very popular with affluent Vancouverites who are looking for peace and quiet. While not every house is a palace, almost every dwelling in the neighbourhood is a single family home. If you are looking for low-rise or high-rise living, or the bustle of city life, this is not the neighbourhood for you.
Southlandsis a good neighbourhood for family living. While it isn’t very well-connected by transit, chances are if you live here, you prefer to drive anyway. It is close to a number of public schools, as well as both St. George’s and Crofton House – two of Vancouver’s poshest private schools. There are plenty of trails throughout the neighbourhood for those who like walking, jogging or horse riding – and for those who like to hike, the steep trails of wreck beach are also nearby.
Southlands is the neighbourhood for you if you’re looking for:
- peace and quiet
- a spacious house
- lots of outdoor recreation; a place with equestrian trails
Look for a home in the Southlands
Tags: rent in vancouver southlands, southlands vancouver, vancouver southlands
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June 2nd, 2010
South Granville overlooks the southern border of Vancouver. Gently sloping down to Marine Drive and the Fraser river, the neighbourhood overlooks Richmond and Vancouver International airport. Due to its proximity to the airport, downtown Vancouver and Richmond, South Granville is very popular with those who want to be close to the airport, but live in Vancouver. Because of this, it is no surprise that South Granville is home to a culturally diverse population that travels regularly. The dominant cultural group in this neighbourhood is Chinese – also not surprising, considering that the Asian shopping haven of Richmond is less than 5 minutes away.
South Granville is a major commuter route for people living in the southern suburbs, but working downtown. There are also many people who live in the area who commute to Richmond. This means that traffic is quite heavy during rush hour. However, South Granville has decent transit accessibility, and is traversed by several major roads, making it convenient for those who drive. South Granville is mainly residential with some commercial areas along South West Marine Drive, as well as the furthest south end of Granville Street. It is also very close to the shopping stretch in Kerrisdale, as well as Oakridge Mall. In Richmond, the Asian-style Aberdeen Centre is a few minutes’ drive.
South Granville is a great neighbourhood for you if you are looking for:
- proximity to the airport, Richmond, and downtown Vancouver
- a large Chinese population, as well as convenient access to many Asian stores
- suburban living away from the city centre, but with convenient access
Find a home in South Granville with EasyRent.ca!
Tags: rent in south granville vancouver, south granville living, south granville rental
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June 1st, 2010
South Cambie is a neighbourhood in transition. It was originally a quiet, suburban area made up of single-family homes spaced widely apart. Over the years, the neighbourhood has become more and more developed. The recent construction of the Canada Line has further added change to the neighbourhood and is paving the way for increased density and amenities in the surrounding communities.
South Cambie is a very culturally diverse nieghbourhood. However, demographically it is split into two main groups of inhabitants: families, and commuters. South Cambie’s numerous single-family dwellings (which are still the main type of housing in the area) are attractive to families because they are close to many popular public schools, but not in the neighbourhoods of these schools themselves (which tend to be prohibitively expensive for most middle-class families). South Cambie offers proximity to these neighbourhoods, as well as rapid access to both Richmond and Downtown, as a more affordable price. Rapid access to Richmond and Downtown Vancouver is the most attractive reason for commuters to live here. While living downtown is a popular choice with young singles, it is also a very expensive choice. South Cambie is more affordable for this demographic segment as well, and offers low-rise and single-family secondary suites as housing options. For all residents in South Cambie, its location near to South West Marine Drive is an added bonus, because of the numerous shops and amenities in that area. Further developments in the region coming soon ensure that South Cambie will continue to be a very convenient neighbourhood to live in.
South Cambie is a great neighbourhood for you if you’re looking for:
- Proximity to Vancouver’s downtown core, without the expense of living there, as well as proximity to Richmond
- Multiple commuting options (canada line, bus, car)
- Nearby amenities
Find a place to live in South Cambie with EasyRent.ca!
Tags: cambie rentals, south cambie rentals, vancouver cambie
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May 31st, 2010
On the slopes above Broadway between Arbutus, Oak and King Edward streets lies Vancouver’s most prestigious neighbourhood: Shaughnessy. Built by the Canadian Railroad at the turn of the 20th century, Shaughnessy was marketed as an enclave for Vancouver elite to make their homes. Due to restrictive zoning and development laws, Shaughnessy is now one of Vancouver’s oldest and wealthiest enighbourhoods. The streets are wide and lined with old trees. Set far back from the street are enormous, world-class mansions. Due to the sky-high prices of Vancouver real estate, some of these homes have secondary suites available for rent. While Shaughnessy is not the cheapest neighbourhood to rent in, it still attracts a strong rental market.
Shaughnessy is home to several of Vancouver’s top private schools, with almost all of the best private schools a short drive away. Despite its location between four of Vancouver’s biggest commuter streets, the neighbourhood is very quiet even half a block in. The huge trees and massive lot sizes ensure quiet and privacy for all residents. While most residents drive to work, Shaughnessy is very pedestrian-friendly and walking, running and biking around the neighbourhood are all good recreational choices. Between work and relaxation, Shaughnessy’s proximity to the city offers a lot of amenities. The shopping of swanky South Granville is only a block away, with restaurant areas along Broadway and West 4th avenue close by as well. Just a few blocks away are the Burrard and Granville bridges, both of which take you to downtown. If you are looking for a neighbourhood in the centre of it all with a great reputation, you have found it in Shaughnessy.
Shaughnessy is a great neighbourhood for you if you are looking for:
- A quiet, old neighbourhood with large houses
- Proximity to downtown and all sorts of amenities
- A family-oriented neighbourhood
Find your home with EasyRent. It’s easy!
Tags: shaughnessy rent, shaugnessy, vancouver shaughnessy
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May 30th, 2010
South West Marine Drive is a stretch of road that follows the Fraser River to its outlet into the Strait of Georgia. It is a diverse area, and is made up of several other neighbourhoods: Marpole, [link], South Granville [link], and Southlands [link].
South West Marine is a combination of commercial properties, warehouses, and low-rise apartment complexes. Further west in Southlands, the dwellings become single family, larger and more affluent. Toward the east are more townhouses and apartments. South West Marine is an arterial route, and gets quite busy during rush hour. While it isn’t the most quiet place to live, this hasn’t stopped many commute-savvy individuals from taking up residence here. Living in the South West Marine area means living in convenience. The Oak Street, Knight Street, Arthur Laing and Canada Line bridges all connect you to Vancouver International Airport and Richmond’s city centre. Many arterial routes will take you directly downtown, and the Canada Line has a stop on South West Marine. No matter where you are trying to get to in Vancouver, chances are it is easily accessible by transit from this area.
The neighbourhood is home to a mix of people. Culturally, it is very diverse with significant immigrant populations from China, India and Eastern Europe. Demographically speaking, South West Marine is come to a combination of families and young apartment dwellers. Generally, the central and eastern stretches of South West Marine are more affordably priced than the rest of Vancouver, and with its plurality of housing options, chances are you`ll find a home that fits your budget and your lifestyle needs.
South West Marine is a great neighbourhood for you if you are looking for:
- A population diverse in ethnicity and demography
- proximity to Richmond, downtown Vancouver, and the airport
- affordable rents, and a variety of housing options
Find yourself a home in Vancouver with EasyRent
Tags: south west marine, southwest marine
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May 29th, 2010
Quilchena is a low-density, mainly residential neighbourhood in the centre of Vancouver’s west side. Tucked in between Shaughnessy, Arbutus Ridge, MacKenzie Heights and Kerrisdale, Quilchena exhibits characteristics of all of these areas. It is a quiet area, with only one main street, Arbutus. Quilchena was once a middle-class suburb of Vancouver, but is now decidedly more affluent.
Quilchena is quiet and full of single-family homes. However, there are also quite a few low-rise condos along Arbutus Street. The area is home to a lot of Vancouver’s seniors, and has many amenities targeting this niche. There are also many families who live in the area, as Quilchena has many public schools nearby, as well as several private schools just a few blocks away in Shaughnessy. The neighbourhood is definitely a good choice if you seek a quiet place to live. While Quilchena may be oriented toward families and seniors, there are many young people who live here on their own. There are plenty of low-rises and basement suites for rent, and the area’s proximity to downtown makes for an easy commute.
Quilchena is a good neighbourhood for you if you’re looking for:
- peaceful, quiet living
- a low-rise apartment in a suburban-style neighbourhood
- a family-oriented area
- an area with senior-oriented services and community
Find a home in Quilchena with EasyRent
Tags: quilchena, rent in quilchena
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