Luxury Realtor Vancouver (Canada): Condo, House and Capital Investment

Vancouver – Vancouver is probably the most creative city in the country – the density of small and large galleries, museums and studios is correspondingly high. Majestic mountain ranges, barren fjords, fascinating rainforests: Right at the gates of the city, the untouched wilderness of Canada is waiting to be discovered. Granted: Huge shopping malls, fast-food chains and city planning from the drawing board can be found in Canada’s third largest city – just like in any other North American city. And yet the mood is different, the atmosphere more relaxed. They are polite in their dealings with each other, but by no means as overly friendly as the Americans.

This article is part of our series on top Canadian real estate destinations. For a full overview, check Canadian Property – Real Estate Market Explained.

There’s None Like it

Vancouver is a big city, with luxurious ambitions. It is one of Canada’s educational and research strongholds with two renowned universities and numerous research institutions, such as the National Research County of Canada, which includes 20 research institutes. Around 2.3 million people live in the metropolitan region of Vancouver on the Pacific coast, and it ranked sixth place in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s liveability index and the third in Mercer’s list. The prosperity of the metropolis is based on the timber industry and the port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest seaport. Through the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver presented itself to a global audience and, above all, invested heavily in its transportation infrastructure. The Vancouver Stock Exchange is a smaller regional exchange and cannot compete with the Toronto Stock Exchange. Important industrial sectors in Vancouver are forestry and mining. Canada is generally rich in many raw materials and a big player in the international raw materials export trade.

  • 6th Most Livable City in the World

Packed Real Estate Market

Vancouver is an ideal place to live, visit and work. A very young city with many modern buildings, it is the third largest city in Canada and only 45 kilometers from the border with the USA. Together with Toronto and Montreal, the most important economic and financial metropolis of Canada. If you’re looking to invest in property, house prices are currently the number one topic of conversation in the city, and hardly a day goes by without them being mentioned in the press or on television. According to the “Housing Trends and Affordability” by the Royal Bank of Canada, the cost of buying a detached single-family home now amounts to 109% of median income. The national average is 51%. There are many reasons for this development: Demand has risen massively more strongly than supply. While the latter is limited not least by geographical factors, demand continues to rise steadily, as foreign investors and immigrants discovered after the 1986 Expo or the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler that Vancouver is a great place to live. The median house price in Vancouver is CAD942.000, much higher than e.g. Calgary‘s CAD415.000.

  • Single-Family House costs 109% of Median Income
  • Population: 2,3 mio.
  • Median house price CAD942.000.

Map: Comfort by the Sea

Drone: Vancouver Views

Vancouver and its surrounding nature are better viewed than told.

Districts: Gastown, Yaletown + More

Vancouver has many faces, meaning there are different and unique districts. While most of the high-rise buildings are located in downtown, it gets more comfortable in neighborhoods like Gastown, West End or Granville Island. Also very cozy is the somewhat smaller district of Yaletown.

Gastown: The Epicenter

The historic Gastown is located in the center of Vancouver. Landmark of the former trade and financial center is the famous steam clock, Gastown’s great brick houses and lanterns, are reminiscent of London. It awakes especially in the evening hours when the many restaurants and pubs invite you to eat and drink in the dim light of the old street lamps. It was a Gastown Tavern that, founded in 1867, made Vancouver a growing city. Gastown is not big, but it has a very special effect. It is one of the oldest quarters of the city and exudes a certain charm. Simply wonderful. While the cobblestone streets and vintage style can still be seen, Gastown itself has become a top address for food, fashion and entertainment.

West End: Sunset Promenade

Right next to downtown Vancouver is the West End, which is known as the gateway to the famous Stanley Park. Historic buildings, parks, bars and restaurants are waiting for you and if you love ramen and Korean food you are in the right area. Also notable, the Inukshuk statue that inspired the logo for the 2010 Olympics on the promenade. And of course the beach where you can watch the magnificent sunset. Robson Street has some of the best shopping in town. The West End is also not far away from Stanley Park.

Kitsilano: Hippie Mecca Becomes Suburbia

What makes this district so special is its proximity to the beach. Kitsilano Beach with its tennis courts, a great green area just around the corner and the beautiful view of the English Bay. Kitsilano is located on West 4th Avenue. The main street – littered with stores, restaurants and bars – fills up quickly on weekends. Once a center for hippies, Kitsilano is now home to a colorful mix of working singles and families who enjoy an active lifestyle. The neighborhood is also known for some of the best new restaurants in Canada, including the AnnaLena and Mission.

Yaletown: True Downtown

Yaletown is characterized by several large glass towers that dominate the skyline of Vancouver. In addition to modern apartments, this hip district also offers parks, designer stores, high-end restaurants and bars. It is known for these pubs and bars. Along the Mainland and Hamilton Street, one follows the other. Yaletown was not always a meeting place for trendsetters, but then many of the red brick buildings were converted into special rooms, houses, restaurants and stores. So the luxury lounge where cocktails are sipped today may well have once been a textile factory. Like many other downtown districts of Vancouver, Yaletown is located on the famous waterfront. There you can jog, ride your bike or go for a walk and have a great view of the city skyline and False Creek.

Unique Nature

Vancouver is known for its striking location between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. This means you may find yourself walking along kilometer-long caribbean sand beaches with massive mountains behind you. Not to miss is also the rainforests. The 2009 movie Avatar was filmed in the rainforests around Vancouver. Some trees here are over 1000 years old, over 80 meters high and have trunks as thick as an elephant. Whistler, the legendary ski and mountain resort famous for its deep snow and steep runs is just 1.5 hours away, with countless others scattered across the region.

Vancouver Short Trip

The most important infos for a short trip to Vancouver.

Flight: The nearest airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is about 20 minutes from the city (only 12 km to the city center). The following routes will take you into the city:

  • By train via Canada Line
  • With one of the many shuttle services like the “Go Airport Shuttle”.

The airport is relatively small, so you cannot get lost as quickly as at many other large airports. Should this happen, the staff is always very friendly and helpful.

Train: Traveling by train is unusual and expensive in Canada. The railroad is aimed more at tourists than at normal travelers with its offers. In spring and summer ‘The Canadian’ of VIA Rail Canada runs the Toronto-Winnipeg-Edmonton-Jasper-Vancouver route. All trains arrive at Pacific Central Station (intersection of Main St & Terminal St, Skytrain Station: Main Street).

Accommodation: There are hotels of all kinds for pretty much any desires. For those looking for a traditional experience the St. Regis is a top destination. Otherwise the Burrard, right on Robson street is a popular desitnationf or its youthful atmosphere.