How do families balance the need for affordable space alongside the desire to be near great schools, parks and amenities? Often the answer is to move out of the city towards the suburbs where prices are a bit lower, but that comes with its own set of challenges, not least increased commuting times.
To guide you through the process, we compiled some tips for growing families from the cast of RealTours Season One, expert agents who know Greater Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods.
Balancing priorities.
Single-family homes sometimes feel like a thing of the past in many Vancouver neighbourhoods. Densification initiatives mean many detached properties have been converted into duplexes or triplexes, or else demolished completely in order to build low rise condos. This makes sense given the growing population and the increased cost of living. But there is still a high demand for traditional family homes where everyone has space to grow (and get out of each other’s hair when they need to).
For many families, the option is to move further from the city centre into Vancouver’s vibrant suburbs or other communities in the Fraser Valley. Sure you might have to give up walking access to your favourite restaurants, but in exchange you’ll likely find communities that cater to families, with top schools, parks and outdoor activities that will keep the family busy.
To explore what’s on offer for families looking for a more traditional home, we spoke with a pair of top agents from the cast of RealTours: Chase Shymkiw from Maple Ridge and Kristina Legault from Chilliwack.
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
With detached homes coming in at less than half the price of a similar property in Vancouver, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are understandably popular with families. Good schools, great sports facilities and easy access to the incredible Golden Ears Provincial Park just add to the appeal.
The median price for a detached home in this area comes in around $1.63 million (data correct as of February 28th, 2024). Compare that to the $3.5 million price tag for a single family home in Vancouver and it’s clear what’s drawing people east.
“Typically, affordability is better in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows compared to going west,” Shymkiw explains. “Plus, hopefully you get something that's going to fit your lifestyle better, like the trail systems, the parks, the Albion Fairgrounds, the community events. So that benefit, hopefully, will offset any long commute that you may have."
Chilliwack
If a commute into downtown Vancouver isn’t a daily requirement, families looking for space and community can also find affordability in Chilliwack. Detached homes are less than a third of the price, on average, compared to Vancouver. The median price for a detached home in Chilliwack (as of February 28th, 2024) is just under $1.1 million, compared to the $3.5 million mentioned above for Vancouver.
In recent years, Chilliwack has undergone a renaissance of sorts. In the downtown core, the former Five Corners area has been transformed into District 1881, a neighbourhood of cafes, shops and restaurants that feels like a throwback to the city’s past. Further south in the Sardis area, the Garrison development has brought a taste of European style to the housing market.
With several great options for families in the city, Legault says it’s important to consider your day to day lifestyle when looking for a home.
“Do you need to be closer to work?” she asks. “Do you need to be closer to shopping, or are your kids involved in so many extracurricular activities that you find you're driving all the time? You really need to ask ‘what is my lifestyle and how does my house need to function around my life?’”
Expert Advice
Wherever you choose to start your search for your family home, you’ll need to be prepared for the process. While the RealTours agents might have their favourite neighbourhoods, they agree on some key advice for upsizers: you should have a long-term strategy.
Both Shymkiw and Legault say that homeseekers need to future proof themselves in the real estate market. It’s important to pick a great location that has lots of potential as this will be one of the key features for future buyers. But also choose a home that meets your lifestyle and needs now because you’re going to want to stay there for at least five years to get a good return on your investment.
For more tips, take a look at our ultimate checklist for buying a property in Canada.
