12 Reasons Why to Live in East Vancouver
Why East Vancouver ? It has traditionally been the more affordable side of town known for its diversity; however, it’s also become highly desirable for its lifestyle in recent years.
The Main Street/Mount Pleasant district has exploded with shops, restaurants and nightlife, rivalling The Drive—as Commercial Drive and surroundings, the heart of East Van, is known—for culture. Expression of the arts abounds, including through East Van’s famous murals and its live music scene. Then there are the Yeast Van and Brewery Creek neighbourhoods, homes to some of North America’s highest concentrations of craft breweries. All of this is bringing young, vibrant families to East Van.
Here are our Top 12 Picks to live in East Vancouver!
- Colourful and ethnic neighbourhoods
- Primarily residential with families with children and young adults
- Many beautiful parks in almost every neighbourhood
- Plenty of shopping with large malls and eclectic stores to choose from
- Homes for sale are less expensive than West Vancouver real estate
- Down-to-earth, laid back, warm and friendly people
- Vibrant Arts and Music Communities
- There is a fantastic selection of cafes, bars, and restaurants.
- Many diverse and affordable groceries along Commercial Drive and China Town
- Home to a growing number of Craft Beer Breweries
- A great Transit System. By bus or Rapid Transit, you are minutes from anywhere in Vancouver.
- Lots of commercial space and business areas
The region has long been recognized as “East Van” or the “East Side” of Vancouver, BC. It is bounded to the north by Burrard Inlet, to the south by the Fraser River, to the east by the city of Burnaby, and to the west by Main Street. If you’re interested in available homes, you can conduct a property search to view the current listings.
Historically, East Vancouver was considered an affordable area for the working-class population with diverse family incomes, ethnic backgrounds, and languages spoken. However, the rapid increase in housing prices may reshape the demographic landscape.
Each East Vancouver neighbourhood holds its unique ethnic identity, fostering vibrant and active ethnic communities. Additionally, you’ll find a thriving artistic community alongside a politically engaged youth population, adding to the area’s rich cultural tapestry.
Reasons Why to Live in East Vancouver
Rapid Transit System:
The SkyTrain is the world’s oldest and longest fully automated driverless rapid transit system. The SkyTrain rapid transit system (current Expo Line) was built in 1985 for Expo 86 to connect downtown Vancouver to Surrey with five SkyTrain stations in East Vancouver. The most prized real estate in East Vancouver is near the Skytrain Stations. New Condo Developments and townhouses are rapidly increasing.
Growing Housing Market:
In 2007, the typical housing price of a single-detached house in East Vancouver was $627,758 (a 9% increase over the previous year and a 90% increase over the last five years).
Increased housing prices have caused significant positive changes in East Vancouver, such as keeping existing residents and increasing affordable housing options like condos, laneway houses, and townhomes. More residential investment, community-pride events like neighbourhood clean-ups, block parties, and community gardening. Resulting in a more significant tax base for new amenities such as Libraries and street lighting.
Many pockets of New business ventures cater to the new gentries moving into the area. The East Van neighbourhoods are becoming well known for their Craft Beer breweries on Commercial Drive, Adanac and Clarke Drive.
There are Many East Side Parks and Recreation Areas:
- Trout Lake is the only lake in the city, with one end dedicated to humans and the other for dogs to swim in.
- Modern park grounds and fun park at Hastings Park
- The large and wild Everett Crowley Park,
- Kensington Park, where many wedding photographs are taken against the stunning backdrop of the city and the North Shore Mountains,
- The bustling Renfrew Community Park
- The diverse Strathcona Park, with its skatepark and climbing wall
- The multi-use Memorial Park, dedicated to soldiers who died in WW1 and today, provides many spaces for sports teams and neighbours.
- Another park is Falaise Park on the border of Burnaby and Vancouver.
The City of Vancouver identifies these communities as being entirely in the East Vancouver area:
Grandview-Woodland, Hastings-Sunrise, Kensington-Cedar Cottage and Sunset,
Killarney, Kingsway, The Olympic Village, Renfrew-Collingwood, Strathcona, and Victoria-Fraserview.
But we’ve got many more; check out our East Vancouver Map of Neighbourhoods page for our complete listing.