If you want to know what the Best Neighbourhoods to live in Vancouver are, I cover all four of the main sub-areas in downtown Vancouver, including Coal Harbour, Downtown, Yaletown, & The West End. I also cover Gastown & Downtown Vancouver East. This is the only video you need to watch so jump into it!
Hey, everyone, I’m Craig Veroni with RE/MAX Masters Realty. I’m your local real estate agent here in Vancouver, BC. Today’s video is all about downtown Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods that’s going to fit your lifestyle. I shoot a ton of videos about what it’s like to live, love, and own here in Vancouver so, if you haven’t yet, please hit that subscribe button and the bell so you never miss a video.
This is an update to the video I shot, 2 years ago, about the top 3 Neighbourhoods in Downtown Vancouver which you can always come back to and check out here. A lot has happened in Vancouver over the past 2 years and there are numerous new buildings that have either been constructed or are in the process of being built so, it’s definitely time for a new video.
Alright, let’s dive into it. Downtown Vancouver is divided into 4 sub-areas. Downtown, Yaletown, The West End, and Coal Harbour. I’m also going to be featuring the Gaston area and the sub-area call Downtown Vancouver East. Gastown isn’t its own sub-area, although, it really should be. Who doesn’t love the vibrancy and energy of this city and each of the sub-areas we’re about to explore offers something different for you. Last time I kicked things off in the downtown sub-area but this is 2021’s video so, let’s begin with Gastown.
Gastown really has something to offer for everyone. In this vibrant and creative neighbourhood you’ll find a diverse mix of retail and dining options all situated in one of the oldest parts of the city. There’s incredible heritage architecture alongside modern buildings and a burgeoning tech scene. This iconic neighbourhood may only cover 12 city blocks but it is home to nearly 110,000 residents making it one of the most densely populated areas in the Lower Mainland. This was Vancouver’s first downtown core and is named for “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a Yorkshire seaman, steamboat captain and barkeep who arrived in 1867 to open the area’s first saloon. He wasn’t nicknamed Gassy for the reason you’re probably thinking of. He was simply a great talker who loved telling stories and tall tales. The number of bars, restaurants and coffee shops in the area is staggering and this is always a top spot for tourists to visit.
Next up is the Downtown Vancouver East sub-area. The downtown sub-area is actually divided in 2 separate neighbourhoods. There is the downtown Vancouver West neighbourhood, which we’ll be getting to soon, and the Vancouver East neighbourhood. Mount Pleasant is another area in the city where this is done. This neighbourhood has been one of the fastest-growing neighbourhoods for a while now. You’ll definitely find a confluence of Vancouver’s past, present, and future here. The area closest to the water known as Railtown is fantastic. It is essentially an extension of Gastown. This area also offers incredible restaurant and shopping options and is home to a huge artist community. There’s the Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, the SFU Contemporary Arts programs at the nearby Woodward’s Centre, as well as the National Film Board. These are just a few examples of the artists' community taking hold of the neighbourhood and staking a claim here. Other noteworthy places are the Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese garden, the Andy Livingstone Park, and the Plaza Skateboard Park underneath the Georgia Viaduct.
Of course, both the Gastown and the Downtown Vancouver East neighbourhoods can’t be mentioned without also acknowledging the Downtown Eastside. These neighbourhoods are home to the 5 blocks along Hastings Street between Dunlevy and Abbot which is home to a large portion of Vancouver’s homeless population. The Downtown Eastside has struggled with many complex challenges including drug use, crime, homelessness, housing issues, and unemployment. There are many business owners in the area who take an active role in doing something to alleviate the problem. Save-On-Meats and a Better Life Foundation are just 2 examples. Their daily meal program serves 1,000 scratch-made meals to residents in the Downtown Eastside 365 days a year - including Christmas where they make a special turkey meal dressed with all the traditional fixings. They don’t just make these meals they deliver them to SRO’s, shelters, and social programs, effectively offering continual support. I’ve put a link in the description below if you’d like to make a donation to this amazing program.
Coal Harbour is one of the 4 main sub-areas downtown and offers you gorgeous views of the water and the North Shore Mountains. Home to landmarks such as the Westin Bayshore Hotel, the Coal Harbour Community Centre, Coal Harbour Marina, Harbour Air Seaplane terminal, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and the stunning Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. This neighbourhood offers you luxury and unparalleled beauty. There’s a tranquillity in this neighbourhood which is rare to find in an area that puts you right in the heart of the action. There will soon be a few new buildings in this neighbourhood. There is Terrace House which will be located at 1250 West Hastings and the new building going up at 1445-1455 West Georgia by developer Brilliant Circle Group. With an incredible array of amenities right at your doorstep, this neighbourhood would suit young couples, families, or those looking to retire and live the downtown lifestyle. Coal Harbour is right beside the world-renowned Stanley Park. Here you can explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of the water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park's famous Seawall. Let’s head over to the Downtown sub-area and neighbourhood.
Downtown - If you want immediate access to the most amazing restaurants and shopping Vancouver has to offer, this neighbourhood is for you. Robson Street is the heart of the downtown shopping district and Alberni Street between Burrard and Thurlow is Vancouver’s Rodeo Drive with exclusive high-end shops like these. There are so many new condo buildings in this neighbourhood since I last filmed it. Let me show you a few. So if you want or need to live in the heart of all the action this is it. You’ll be at ground zero of Vancouver’s financial district, shopping district, and all the amazing restaurants this neighbourhood provides.
The West End has always had a special place in my heart as this was home for me for nearly 20 years of my life. It’s quite easy to forget you’re in the middle of a city sometimes when you’re strolling along these gorgeous tree-lined streets. The area West of Denman is particularly near and dear to me. Here, you’re just a block away from the beach at English Bay and Stanley Park. When we had our son William back in the early 2000s there weren’t many families wanting to make this their home. But when you get to call English Bay and Stanley park your back yard and playground it’s easy to see why so many families have flocked to this neighbourhood since then and are opting for the convenience of living downtown. They’re finding that the trade-off in square footage is worth the convenience and access to all the incredible amenities available in this neighbourhood. It is also no surprise that there are over 24 new buildings going up around the West End since I last filmed this neighbourhood 2 years ago. Both the West End and Yaletown are home to the world-famous sea wall walkway and bike path. The sea wall also goes around Stanley Park and heading East from Yaletown along the sea wall will take you to Science World and beyond to FalseCreek
Yaletown - If you’re saying to yourself, “I want to live where all the cool kids are,” Yaletown is most likely the neighbourhood for you. It is a hip, vibrant, and energetic part of the city. You also have a choice in Yaletown as it has 2 distinct zones for living. There is a bustling and energetic area where you’ll find lots of bars, nightclubs, spectacular restaurants and shopping. The vibe in this historic area is definitely heritage meets modern. But, it also offers you a calmer living experience in areas down by the waterfront surrounded by one of its many parks. This neighbourhood boasts fantastic amenities such as the George Wainborn Park, David Lam Park, as well as the Roundhouse Community Centre. At the Roundhouse you must check out the Engine 374 Museum. It is home to the steam engine that essentially built Canada. Called the little engine that could, and did create Canada’s gateway to the Pacific it is a must-see. For dog owners and lovers, there is an off-leash area in Coopers Park that is quite popular. One of the most architecturally interesting buildings built in the past 2 years is Vancouver House designed by Bjarke Ingels. Definitely one of the coolest public art installations is the Spinning Chandelier, designed by BC artist Rodney Graham, that was erected underneath the Granville Street Bridge. The fixture is massive. 7.7 metres in height and 4.2 meters in length to be exact. It is made of stainless steel, LED lamps and faux crystals. 3 times a day the chandelier descends from the north end of the Granville Bridge, spins for about four minutes while flashing its lights, then retreats back up into the underbelly of the bridge.
If you’re thinking of moving to downtown Vancouver but you’re not sure which area or neighbourhood is right for you, in this video I’m going to break down Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods for you so you know exactly where to live in Vancouver. And, we’re getting after it right after this.
Hey, everyone, I’m Craig Veroni with RE/MAX Masters Realty. I’m your local real estate agent here in Vancouver, BC. Today’s video is all about downtown Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods that’s going to fit your lifestyle. I shoot a ton of videos about what it’s like to live, love, and own here in Vancouver so, if you haven’t yet, please hit that subscribe button and the bell so you never miss a video.
This is an update to the video I shot, 2 years ago, about the top 3 Neighbourhoods in Downtown Vancouver which you can always come back to and check out here. A lot has happened in Vancouver over the past 2 years and there are numerous new buildings that have either been constructed or are in the process of being built so, it’s definitely time for a new video.
Alright, let’s dive into it. Downtown Vancouver is divided into 4 sub-areas. Downtown, Yaletown, The West End, and Coal Harbour. I’m also going to be featuring the Gaston area and the sub-area call Downtown Vancouver East. Gastown isn’t its own sub-area, although, it really should be. Who doesn’t love the vibrancy and energy of this city and each of the sub-areas we’re about to explore offers something different for you. Last time I kicked things off in the downtown sub-area but this is 2021’s video so, let’s begin with Gastown.
Gastown really has something to offer for everyone. In this vibrant and creative neighbourhood you’ll find a diverse mix of retail and dining options all situated in one of the oldest parts of the city. There’s incredible heritage architecture alongside modern buildings and a burgeoning tech scene. This iconic neighbourhood may only cover 12 city blocks but it is home to nearly 110,000 residents making it one of the most densely populated areas in the Lower Mainland. This was Vancouver’s first downtown core and is named for “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a Yorkshire seaman, steamboat captain and barkeep who arrived in 1867 to open the area’s first saloon. He wasn’t nicknamed Gassy for the reason you’re probably thinking of. He was simply a great talker who loved telling stories and tall tales. The number of bars, restaurants and coffee shops in the area is staggering and this is always a top spot for tourists to visit.
Next up is the Downtown Vancouver East sub-area. The downtown sub-area is actually divided in 2 separate neighbourhoods. There is the downtown Vancouver West neighbourhood, which we’ll be getting to soon, and the Vancouver East neighbourhood. Mount Pleasant is another area in the city where this is done. This neighbourhood has been one of the fastest-growing neighbourhoods for a while now. You’ll definitely find a confluence of Vancouver’s past, present, and future here. The area closest to the water known as Railtown is fantastic. It is essentially an extension of Gastown. This area also offers incredible restaurant and shopping options and is home to a huge artist community. There’s the Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, the SFU Contemporary Arts programs at the nearby Woodward’s Centre, as well as the National Film Board. These are just a few examples of the artists' community taking hold of the neighbourhood and staking a claim here. Other noteworthy places are the Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese garden, the Andy Livingstone Park, and the Plaza Skateboard Park underneath the Georgia Viaduct.
Of course, both the Gastown and the Downtown Vancouver East neighbourhoods can’t be mentioned without also acknowledging the Downtown Eastside. These neighbourhoods are home to the 5 blocks along Hastings Street between Dunlevy and Abbot which is home to a large portion of Vancouver’s homeless population. The Downtown Eastside has struggled with many complex challenges including drug use, crime, homelessness, housing issues, and unemployment. There are many business owners in the area who take an active role in doing something to alleviate the problem. Save-On-Meats and a Better Life Foundation are just 2 examples. Their daily meal program serves 1,000 scratch-made meals to residents in the Downtown Eastside 365 days a year - including Christmas where they make a special turkey meal dressed with all the traditional fixings. They don’t just make these meals they deliver them to SRO’s, shelters, and social programs, effectively offering continual support. I’ve put a link in the description below if you’d like to make a donation to this amazing program.
Coal Harbour is one of the 4 main sub-areas downtown and offers you gorgeous views of the water and the North Shore Mountains. Home to landmarks such as the Westin Bayshore Hotel, the Coal Harbour Community Centre, Coal Harbour Marina, Harbour Air Seaplane terminal, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and the stunning Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. This neighbourhood offers you luxury and unparalleled beauty. There’s a tranquillity in this neighbourhood which is rare to find in an area that puts you right in the heart of the action. There will soon be a few new buildings in this neighbourhood. There is Terrace House which will be located at 1250 West Hastings and the new building going up at 1445-1455 West Georgia by developer Brilliant Circle Group. With an incredible array of amenities right at your doorstep, this neighbourhood would suit young couples, families, or those looking to retire and live the downtown lifestyle. Coal Harbour is right beside the world-renowned Stanley Park. Here you can explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of the water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park's famous Seawall. Let’s head over to the Downtown sub-area and neighbourhood.
Downtown - If you want immediate access to the most amazing restaurants and shopping Vancouver has to offer, this neighbourhood is for you. Robson Street is the heart of the downtown shopping district and Alberni Street between Burrard and Thurlow is Vancouver’s Rodeo Drive with exclusive high-end shops like these. There are so many new condo buildings in this neighbourhood since I last filmed it. Let me show you a few. So if you want or need to live in the heart of all the action this is it. You’ll be at ground zero of Vancouver’s financial district, shopping district, and all the amazing restaurants this neighbourhood provides.
The West End has always had a special place in my heart as this was home for me for nearly 20 years of my life. It’s quite easy to forget you’re in the middle of a city sometimes when you’re strolling along these gorgeous tree-lined streets. The area West of Denman is particularly near and dear to me. Here, you’re just a block away from the beach at English Bay and Stanley Park. When we had our son William back in the early 2000s there weren’t many families wanting to make this their home. But when you get to call English Bay and Stanley park your back yard and playground it’s easy to see why so many families have flocked to this neighbourhood since then and are opting for the convenience of living downtown. They’re finding that the trade-off in square footage is worth the convenience and access to all the incredible amenities available in this neighbourhood. It is also no surprise that there are over 24 new buildings going up around the West End since I last filmed this neighbourhood 2 years ago. Both the West End and Yaletown are home to the world-famous sea wall walkway and bike path. The sea wall also goes around Stanley Park and heading East from Yaletown along the sea wall will take you to Science World and beyond to FalseCreek
Yaletown - If you’re saying to yourself, “I want to live where all the cool kids are,” Yaletown is most likely the neighbourhood for you. It is a hip, vibrant, and energetic part of the city. You also have a choice in Yaletown as it has 2 distinct zones for living. There is a bustling and energetic area where you’ll find lots of bars, nightclubs, spectacular restaurants and shopping. The vibe in this historic area is definitely heritage meets modern. But, it also offers you a calmer living experience in areas down by the waterfront surrounded by one of its many parks. This neighbourhood boasts fantastic amenities such as the George Wainborn Park, David Lam Park, as well as the Roundhouse Community Centre. At the Roundhouse you must check out the Engine 374 Museum. It is home to the steam engine that essentially built Canada. Called the little engine that could, and did create Canada’s gateway to the Pacific it is a must-see. For dog owners and lovers, there is an off-leash area in Coopers Park that is quite popular. One of the most architecturally interesting buildings built in the past 2 years is Vancouver House designed by Bjarke Ingels. Definitely one of the coolest public art installations is the Spinning Chandelier, designed by BC artist Rodney Graham, that was erected underneath the Granville Street Bridge. The fixture is massive. 7.7 metres in height and 4.2 meters in length to be exact. It is made of stainless steel, LED lamps and faux crystals. 3 times a day the chandelier descends from the north end of the Granville Bridge, spins for about four minutes while flashing its lights, then retreats back up into the underbelly of the bridge.
