Yaletown, Kitsilano and the West End have always been popular places for professionals to live and with good reason: beautiful settings, great amenities and attractive housing. With more and more people flocking to Vancouver, development is extending across the city and into the suburbs. Revitalized neighbourhoods are attracting new businesses and residents. Here, some up-and-coming ’hoods to call home in Metro
Port Moody
Outdoor enthusiasts love this community at the head of Burrard Inlet and the foot of Eagle Mountain. A 40-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, Port Moody is the perfect escape. Rocky Point Park, which recently underwent a major development, offers impressive views and is a great point from which to launch your kayak into the gentle waters. Buntzen Lake is also popular for boating, as well as fishing and hiking, and if you find a condo in one of the many master-planned communities you won’t have to leave home for activities like swimming, yoga and squash.
New Westminster
This historic city on the Fraser River is going through a major revitalization, including a stunning new waterfront park and civic centre. Heritage buildings are being transformed into modern condos, attracting a younger demographic to the city, which is just 30 minutes from downtown on the SkyTrain. One developer that has taken notice of New West’s potential is Salient Group, which is redeveloping the historic downtown building Trapp Block. (Don’t worry: They are maintaining its façade.) New businesses are opening on the main drag of Columbia Street, and the market at the Quay, now called River Market, is becoming a popular place for foodies to feast.
South Fraser Street
Vancouver is moving also east. Main Street has been booming in popularity over the past decade and now boasts the city’s best made-in-B.C. shopping and dining. Artists and designers made South Main cool, developers called it SoMa and housing prices went up — way up. The hipsters are now moving further east to Fraser Street to set up shop. Everyone else will follow. DailyXY’s prediction: Developers will call it SoFa.
Steveston
This historic fisherman’s village in Richmond became more desirable when the Canada Line was built, making it a convenient place for downtown workers to call home. The world’s former salmon-canning capital is coming full circle from when it was a happening stopover in the early 1900s, boasting bars, opium dens and brothels. Today in this neighbourhood at the mouth of the Fraser, you’ll find downtown-calibre restaurants like Gudrun and excellent antique shopping to outfit your home. And just like the good old days, you can still see the salmon jumping in the river and get fresh seafood from friendly fishermen.
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Image courtesy of Lili Viera de Carvalho.
