Vancouver West

Vancouver West may not have the street cred of East Van (or the merch), but this area still has plenty to offer Homeseekers looking for an urban lifestyle and community connections. With its collection of boutique shops, yoga studios and laid back vibes, this area is a much more relaxed approach to city living.

Kitsilano, often dubbed “Kits” by locals, is probably what you think of when it comes to “the West Side,” and this neighbourhood still holds onto its counter-culture roots. It’s named after August Jack Khatsahlano’s grandfather, an Indigenous Chief of the Squamish people – also now the name of a popular street festival.

Kits was once the heart of Vancouver’s hippie community, and these days it boasts character homes and historic restaurants like The Naam and Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe, plus the Greek Day festival. It’s the kind of place where you can do yoga in the morning, head down to the beach in the afternoon after catching a workout and a smoothie, followed by a Shakespeare play and wrap up your day with a quiet night at home, all within walking distance. But change is coming. Expect to see more condo towers with the Broadway Plan being implemented as the Broadway SkyTrain line extension nears completion.

Nearby Kerrisdale boasts a collection of boutique shops offering everything from clothes and shoes to gourmet coffee. It’s also where you’ll see character homes, including rows of bungalows. But condos, townhomes, duplexes and more are on the way, giving Homeseekers options when it comes settling down.

There’s also Shaughnessy, known for its mansions and upper-crust lifestyle, the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the nearby Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club. Still, with recently approved higher densities in the area, you can expect to see more homes in this neighbourhood soon.

At Sen̓áḵw on the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation, there will be a collection of Indigenous-owned towers offering housing to everyone. This development is being led by the Squamish Nation and once complete will offer homes, cultural spaces, shops, restaurants and more at the foot of the Burrard Street Bridge.

Kits Beach

Kits Beach is a gathering place for residents of all sorts in Vancouver West.

More than meets the eye.

One of the deceptive things about Vancouver West is that many of the character homes you see have been, or are being, stratified. Likewise, while it may appear to be almost suburban compared to the highrises of Downtown Vancouver just across the water, you’ll find ample walkability to amenities and neighbours that greet each other cheerfully. Many waves of people have moved to the area over the years, giving the area diversity and laid-back vibes that welcome all, new or old.
It also means change has always been a part of Vancouver West, and with new developments poised to makeover the area once again, it’s likely that you’ll still find the same spirit no matter if you’re in Kits, Kerrisdale, Point Grey or Shaughnessy.