Why live in City of North Vancouver?
Just 20 minutes north of downtown Vancouver is where you will find the waterfront community of North Vancouver. Known for its picturesque location on the Burrard Inlet, North Vancouver boasts a breathtaking view of Vancouver’s cityscape and the North Shore Mountains. It’s also situated near Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Lynn Canyon Park, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour Provincial Park. Within the City of North Vancouver itself, there are over 42 unique walking trails, which include the Grouse Grind (also known as “Nature’s Stairmaster”). North Vancouver is also that much closer to Squamish and Whistler, popular destinations year-round. For this reason, North Vancouver is a great spot for those who enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking, skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, and more. Beyond the area’s natural beauty and abundance of recreational activities, North Vancouver has several cultural attractions for locals to enjoy. These include Lonsdale Quay, which has the Lonsdale Quay Public Market and the SeaBus terminal, which connects North Vancouver with downtown Vancouver, as well as the Shipyards District, North Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood and home to all kinds of trendy shops, restaurants, and cafes, and finally, the Polygon Gallery, one of the largest photography galleries in Canada. Something else locals love about North Vancouver is its reputation as a family-friendly neighbourhood. Since it’s just outside of downtown Vancouver, it has a quiet, more residential feel, and yet it still has plenty of urban amenities and extremely close proximity to the city. Beyond that, it has lots of parks, playgrounds, beaches, community centres, and local events, like The Teddy Bear Picnic in St. Andrew’s Park, Slide the City (when a massive water slide takes over Lonsdale Avenue), and Family Movie Nights in The Plaza. The only caveat is that North Vancouver is in high demand, which means buying a home here will come at a price. Nowadays, there are several housing options, if you can afford them. These include luxury condos and apartments, as well as multi-storey detached and semi-detached homes.
Quality and diversity of education in City of North Vancouver
The North Vancouver School District, or BC School District No. 44, is responsible for the running of 25 elementary schools and 7 secondary schools within the City of North Vancouver. There are also several other private, religious, and French Immersion options in North Vancouver, not to mention a wide range of universities and colleges that are nearby. Capilano University is by far the closest. It is located immediately north of the City of Vancouver in the District of North Vancouver. However, it also has a Lonsdale Campus. Across the Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, you will find many other post-secondary options like the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Film School, the Art Institute of Vancouver, and the Emily Carr University of Art + Design are only a stone’s throw away.
Most populous cities in City of North Vancouver
The three main neighbourhoods that the City of North Vancouver consists of are Lower Lonsdale, Central Lonsdale, and Keith-Lynn.
Quality of infrastructure for City of North Vancouver
The City of North Vancouver is not only walkable but it features an extensive public transportation network. First, the SeaBus has daily routes from Lonsdale Quay to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver, transporting passengers between Vancouver and North Vancouver in just 12 minutes. Second, TransLink, which is responsible for Metro Vancouver’s public transportation system, also operates many bus routes in the area. If you prefer to drive, you can do so with ease. Lions Gate Bridge connects Vancouver with the City of North Vancouver. From there, you will have easy access to Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, as well as the Via Rail station in downtown Vancouver and several coach bus terminals. If you prefer to head north, you can get outside the Metro Vancouver Area with ease thanks to the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which will take you to Squamish, Whistler, and beyond. If you ever need to see a doctor, the City of North Vancouver has its own hospital, Lions Gate Hospital. However, Vancouver’s many hospitals are also nearby, including Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital.
Safety and security for City of North Vancouver
The North Vancouver Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) aim to keep the City of North Vancouver safe and secure at all times. Crime is minimal in this neighbourhood, which is largely dominated by families and a growing number of young professionals. Emergency services in North Vancouver can always be accessed by dialing 9-1-1.
City of North Vancouver property market
The housing market in the City of North Vancouver is in high demand, which can make it a difficult market to enter. That said, if you’re able to invest, resale value will be high, with this being one of the most sought-after places to live in all of British Columbia. Given the area’s recent influx of residents, you can now find all kinds of property types here, like condos, apartments, bungalows, detached homes, and semi-detached homes.
Standard of living in City of North Vancouver
The standard of living in the City of North Vancouver is nearly unrivalled in the city. It is one of the few places where you can escape into nature while still benefiting from a wide range of urban amenities, like great dining and entertainment options, as well as an extensive public transit system and highly-rated schools. Given this, it likely won't come as a surprise that Vancouver more broadly was recently listed as one of the most liveable cities. The Global Liveability Index’s 2023 Liveability Report ranked Vancouver as the fifth most liveable city in the entire world.
Something wonderful about City of North Vancouver
Lonsdale Quay is the central hub of the City of North Vancouver. It is home to the Lonsdale Quay Ferry Terminal that the SeaBus runs in and out of, as well as the Lonsdale Quay Market, which features all kinds of boutique shops and delicious food. The Lonsdale Quay Market can be found inside the waterfront building, which was originally erected in honour of Expo ‘86. If you’re not in the mood to shop or eat, you can also walk around Lonsdale Quay’s popular boardwalk, which boasts stunning views of Vancouver’s cityscape and the South Shore.
