Often associated with its neighbour to the south, Collingwood (a.k.a. Refrew Heights), Renfrew is a family-oriented community in East Vancouver immediately adjacent to the City of Burnaby.
Renfrew neighbourhood sprang up in the early 20th century, after a bus system and Canada’s first electric streetcar line — connecting Downtown Vancouver and New Westminster — routed through the area.
In the mid-1980s, a new SkyTrain rapid-transit route spurred massive developments in Renfrew. Families from a variety of ethnic backgrounds moved into Renfrew’s houses, townhouses and apartment complexes, helping to shape the multicultural community of today.
Renfrew real estate includes a variety of housing options. Many of Renfrew’s homes average around the $730,000 mark, making it one of the most affordable places to live in the City of Vancouver. View Renfrew MLS® listings and upcoming open houses
Renfrew Amenities
Renfrew Shopping
As residential development continues in the area, a number of big-box stores have sprouted up along Grandview Highway near the Renfrew and Rupert SkyTrain Stations, including Real Canadian Superstore, Canadian Tire and Walmart.
Schools and Education in Renfrew
Primary schools
- Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary
- Chief Maquinna Annex Elementary School
- Chief Maquinna Elementary School
- Dr. A. R. Lord Elementary School
- Garibaldi Annex
- Thunderbird Elementary
Secondary schools
Specialty schools
- Notre Dame Secondary (Catholic, co-ed)
- Our Lady of Sorrows School Catholic School
Renfrew Cafés and Restaurants
Although it’s not known as a culinary destination, Renfrew’s large Chinese community means there are many mom-and-pop diners producing Asian cuisine. For fine dining, try Dario’s at the Italian Cultural Centre.
Renfrew Sports and Recreation
Recreation-wise, Renfrew includes the popular Renfrew Park Community Centre and public pool, and Renfrew Ravine Park features walking trails, footbridges and a meditation labyrinth. The neighbourhood also hosts the popular Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival — a lantern festival that takes place each September.
Renfrew Transportation
Renfrew boasts plenty of public transit, with major SkyTrain rapid-transit stations on both the Millennium and Expo Lines. The newer Millennium Line has added the Renfrew and Rupert stations to the area.
Renfrew Property Statistics
| Home prices | |
| Houses | $731,659* |
| Townhouses | $472,000** |
| Apartments | $305,000** |
| Rentals | |
| Average gross rent | $811*** |
*Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, benchmark sale prices in Renfrew for February 2011 generated by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI)
**Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, average sale prices in Renfrew, Renfrew Heights, Collingwood for 12 months ended November 3, 2010
***Source: 2006 census for Renfrew-Collingwood
Renfrew Demographics
Population* – 48,885
*Source: 2006 census for Renfrew-Collingwood
| Age* | |
| 65+ | 13.8% |
| 40 to 64 | 33.1% |
| 20 to 39 | 31.2% |
| 19 and under | 21.9% |
*Source: 2006 census for Renfrew-Collingwood
| Occupancy* | |
| Fully owned | 16,815 |
*Source: 2006 census for Renfrew-Collingwood
| Dwellings* | |
| Single-detached house | 25.6% |
| Semi-detached house | 0.4% |
| Detached duplex | 37.7% |
| Row house | 1.6% |
| Apartment, under five stories | 20.7% |
| Apartment, five or more storeys | 13.5% |
| Rented dwellings | 34.7% |
*Source: 2006 census for Renfrew-Collingwood
Neighbourhoods surrounding Renfrew
- Burnaby
- Collingwood
- Hastings
- Grandview
- Kensington-Cedar Cottage
- Victoria
- Fraserview
- Killarney
