The 9 Best Vancouver Neighbourhoods (By a Local)

Do you want to move to Vancouver or spend a holiday in this gorgeous Canadian city? Then you’ll want to know about the best Vancouver neighbourhoods. 

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, and it’s divided into 22 distinct areas. Each has something unique to offer whether you prefer the bustle of the city centre or a chilled West Coast vibe. 

I’m a Vancouver local and I’ll overview the best neighbourhoods in Vancouver. This article covers some of the most livable places in the city. But bookmark my guide on where to stay in Vancouver for hotel recommendations and visitor-friendly areas.

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9 Best Neighbourhoods in Vancouver

The West End

A spirited neighbourhood with unique restaurants, leafy streets, and breathtaking waterfront views. 

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School District: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Blue Horizon Hotel

The West End is a downtown neighbourhood bordered on three sides by water. Stanley Park and English Bay make this one of the most desirable areas to live in the city of Vancouver. 

This neighbourhood has been the heart of the LGBTQ+ community for decades. Davie Village is a hub of shopping and dining that caters to the gay community. Boutique stores and restaurants also line Denman and Robson streets. And the neighbourhood hosts the annual Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival. 

I love coming to eat here. There are so many great choices! My favourite is Tre Viet for huge portions of Vietnamese food, and I always save room for dessert at Breka. But for the best beach views, you can’t beat the patio at the Cactus Club Cafe. 

The West End is all about the high-rise. And the neighbourhood is home to working professionals, international students and seniors. However, it’s not the best for families due to the lack of open space. 

Pros of the West End

• Easy access to Stanley Park and beaches
• Everything is close and convenient
• Walkable
• A perfect mix of quiet and lively

Cons of the West End

• Densely-populated
• Not much open space aside from Stanley Park

Downtown Vancouver

The city centre is home to amazing restaurants, pulsating nightlife, and some of Vancouver’s top attractions. 

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School District: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver is the neighbourhood where every young new arrival wants to be. For us locals, living here in our youth is a rite of passage. And why not? This is where all the action happens and where you’ll find some of the top things to do in Vancouver. 

Glass skyscrapers line every street of the Downtown core. Many of them are office buildings. The rest are high-end hotels and condominiums. But this is the place to call home if you love to be near the nightclubs, bars and shopping. 

I loved my years of living in Downtown Vancouver. I didn’t need a vehicle, I enjoyed walking everywhere, and there was lots to do every day of the week. Today, rents in Downtown Vancouver are astronomical. So if you’re considering living here, come with a lot of money or be prepared to split rent. 

Popular landmarks like the Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson Street and the Granville Entertainment District are located here. And Coal Harbour, Yaletown, Gastown and the West End are all a short walk away. 

Pros of Downtown Vancouver

• The best shopping and dining in the city
• Vibrant and safe with great transportation
• Near the top tourist sights

Cons of Downtown Vancouver

• Too many temptations to spend money
• Noisy
• Hotels and apartments are expensive

Yaletown

Hip shops and restaurants line the cobblestone streets of this former warehousing district. 

📍 Google Maps | Yaletown Business Improvement Association Website | School District: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: OPUS Vancouver

Yaletown was once Vancouver’s rough-and-tumble warehouse district. But the Expo ‘86 World Fair spurred the regeneration of this neighbourhood. Today, those old warehouses are home to trendy boutiques and restaurants.  

The top attractions are a short walk away, but you won’t find many here. The seawall and David Lam Park are popular neighbourhood spots. Go for a scenic walk or have brunch overlooking the marina. I always enjoy OEB Breakfast Co. and Provence Marinaside.  

Yaletown is perfect for single and coupled professionals. Although there is a school, the Roundhouse Community Centre, and plenty of green space, the small apartments aren’t ideal for children. 

Pros of Yaletown

• Lots of trendy restaurants and nightlife
• Vancouver Seawall and Quayside Marina
• Central with great transit options
• Easy access to the Downtown core, Gastown and stadiums

Cons of Yaletown

• Not much of a community feel 
• High cost of living
• Noisy, especially on weekends

Kitsilano

Heritage buildings, tree-lined streets and the best beach in the city make up this former hippie enclave. 

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School District: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Granville Island Hotel

Kitsilano, or “Kits” for short, always tops the list of the best neighbourhoods in Vancouver. 

The streets of this affluent neighbourhood are dotted with quaint cafes and shops. The neighbourhood’s Vanier Park is home to the Museum of Vancouver, the Planetarium, the Maritime Museum and the annual Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival. Nearby West 4th Avenue is the main shopping district. 

But Kitsilano’s main draw is Kits Beach, with its spectacular views and laid-back vibe. I love the outdoor pool that overlooks the beach and the North Shore mountains. 

This west side neighbourhood has tons of shopping, dining, parks, and schools. So, it’s a great place for singles, couples and young families. The streets of this neighbourhood are full of single homes and apartments. But the cost of living is on the higher side.

Pros of Kitsilano

• Vancouver’s best beaches are nearby
• Laid-back and safe
• Great coffee shops and restaurants
• Perfect for walking and cycling

Cons of Kitsilano

• No SkyTrain
• Not much to do in winter
• High cost of living

Grandview-Woodland

Community spirit reigns in this culturally diverse East Vancouver neighbourhood.

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School District: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Ivy on Parker Guest House

Grandview-Woodland is in East Vancouver, which is full of cool, ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. And there is a strong sense of community in these family-friendly areas. This is where I call home, so to me, it’s the best!

Grandview-Woodland is famous for its main drag, Commercial Drive. This is where you’ll find plenty of funky boutiques and eateries. But “The Drive” is best known for being the epicentre of the Italian community. Watch the world go by at Cafe Calabria, the oldest Italian coffee house in the city. And enjoy my favourite pizza and pasta at Sopra Sotto.

Grandview-Woodland has a bohemian vibe and is a mecca for creatives. It is also a great place to raise children. There are schools, parks, and community centres all around the neighbourhood. And nearby Trout Lake is a favourite for its summer market.

Pros of Grandview-Woodland

• Good SkyTrain and bus transportation
• Lots of great dining options on Commercial Drive
• Diverse and creative community
• Family-friendly 

Cons of Grandview-Woodland

• Drug use and petty crime near Commercial and Broadway
• Property crime is prevalent

Mount Pleasant

Artsy shops, eclectic restaurants, and striking murals make this the coolest neighbourhood in the city. 

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School Districts: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Windsor Guest House

Mount Pleasant is a primarily residential neighbourhood, full of diverse communities. A good mix of single homes and apartments means that everyone will fit in here. In fact, Time Out named it one of the world’s top 50 neighbourhoods. And I would agree. 

The neighbourhood was once run-down and unsafe, but today, it’s bursting with life. Vintage boutiques and funky eateries line Main Street. Vivid murals brighten up the buildings. There are year-round community events and farmers’ markets all over the neighbourhood.  

South Main Street is home to a large Indo-Canadian population and the Punjabi Market. Admire the colourful saris in the shop windows and eat some of the best curries in town. Sula Indian Restaurant is one I always crave.

Pros of Mount Pleasant

• Artsy vibe and tight communities
• Family-oriented
• Lots of eclectic cafes and boutiques
• Great for walking, cycling and public transportation

Cons of Mount Pleasant

• Vancouver’s social problems affect some areas
• Becoming increasingly developed

Strathcona

Colourful heritage buildings and fascinating history are everywhere in one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods. 

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School District: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: EXchange Hotel Vancouver

Strathcona is the city’s oldest residential neighbourhood. Historically, the Canadian Pacific Railway employed many new immigrants. They lived in Strathcona due to its proximity to work and the low cost of living. In recent years, the neighbourhood has become more affluent, but a tight-knit community remains. 

Heritage homes and rooming houses have been restored and painted in beautiful colours. And cozy cafes, galleries and breweries have popped up all over. Strathcona is my favourite Vancouver neighbourhood in the autumn months when its tree-lined streets are absolutely stunning. 

Strathcona’s location is also ideal. Chinatown is next door. And Gastown and Downtown are nearby for shopping and services. 

Read my article about Strathcona’s history to see why it’s one of my favourite places in Vancouver.

👉 Local Tip: Want a glimpse into the studios of Vancouver’s best artists? Don’t miss the Eastside Culture Crawl, which happens every November all around Strathcona.  

Pros of Strathcona

• Creative and artistic
• Strong sense of community
• Steeped in history
• Close to the city centre, Chinatown and Gastown

Cons of Strathcona

• Proximity to the Downtown Eastside
• Fewer apartments and condominium buildings

Marpole

A more affordable, up-and-coming neighbourhood in South Vancouver. 

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School District: School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Best Western Plus Vancouver Airport Hotel

Marpole and other neighbourhoods in the city’s south end are some of the more affordable ones in Vancouver. Although they are further from the city centre, they are still good options. 

Marpole is a residential neighbourhood near the airport and the suburb of Richmond, one of the best day trips from Vancouver. Marpole consists of low-rise apartment buildings, single homes and a few new high-rise towers. 

Marine Gateway and the River District have injected new life into this industrial neighbourhood. Modern condo developments line the waterfront. And this has brought many shopping, dining and entertainment options to the neighbourhood. I am especially fond of T&T supermarket for Chinese food and snacks. 

There are also many tranquil walking paths along the Fraser River. And I love to refuel at Romer’s Burger Bar, LOCAL Public Eatery, or Bufala in the River District.

Pros of Marpole

• Close to Vancouver International Airport
• Restaurants and movie theatres at Marine Gateway
• Quiet
• Near the Canada Line SkyTrain 

Cons of Marpole

• Not much to do and no main attractions
• Further from Downtown Vancouver
• Few hotel options
• Apartments are old and can be a little bit run-down

Fairview

Spectacular city views, a breathtaking seawall, vibrant communities and proximity to Downtown make this the perfect Vancouver neighbourhood.

📍 Google Maps | City of Vancouver Website | School District #39 | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre (Broadway)

The neighbourhood of Fairview is across the Granville Street and Cambie Street bridges from Downtown. Quiet streets and the Vancouver General Hospital surround the main thoroughfare, West Broadway. 

Fairview is home to the city of Vancouver’s famous Granville Island Public Market. And you’ll find shops, theatres and dining in South Granville and Cambie Village. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll enjoy the breweries around Olympic Village. And you might spot a celeb at one of my favourite restaurants in the city, Vij’s. 

Apartments and single heritage homes make up the neighbourhood of Fairview. And it’s one of Vancouver’s most central areas with great transportation options. Fairview is tucked alongside False Creek with stunning views of the North Shore mountains. There are endless options for scenic walking and cycling. 

👉 Pro Tip: A new subway line is under construction, and Fairview is the epicentre of a big mess! If you are visiting Fairview now through 2027, consider taking transit. Broadway and the surrounding main streets like Granville, Oak, Cambie and W. 12th Ave. have been impacted, and driving is a challenge.  

Pros of Fairview

• Close to Downtown
• Lots of shopping and entertainment
• Great transportation
• Granville Island and the seawall 

Cons of Fairview

• Terrible traffic and parking is difficult
• Some drug use and homelessness
• Fewer hotel options
• A new Broadway subway is under construction

👉 Read Next: Safety in Vancouver

FAQs

What are some affordable neighbourhoods to live in Vancouver?

Some affordable neighbourhoods to live in Vancouver are Grandview-Woodland, Marpole and Strathcona. 

What are family-friendly neighbourhoods in Vancouver?

Family-friendly neighbourhoods in Vancouver include Grandview-Woodland, Mount Pleasant, and the neighbourhoods of South Vancouver.

What’s the nicest area in Vancouver?

The nicest area in Vancouver is Kitsilano. Its laid-back vibe and popular beach make it one of the city’s best and most sought-after areas. 

Is it expensive to live in Vancouver?

Yes, it is expensive to live in Vancouver. All of Greater Vancouver’s neighbourhoods have a very high cost of living. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in 2025 is $2500 – $3000 per month.

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These are some of Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods. If you want more help planning your trip, see my Vancouver itinerary for a 5-day trip.