Top 5 Places to Live / Invest on The Northshore & Downtown Vancouver

1)Ambleside, West Vancouver
2)Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver
3)Coal Harbour, Vancouver
4)Edgemont Village, North Vancouver
5)Caulfield, West Vancouver


1) Ambleside, West Vancouver

While West Vancouver is one of the most sought-after municipalities in British Columbia, and often labelled the most expensive place to live in Canada, it is on average about $300,000 less than Vancouver West where $1,800,000 gets you the "average" detached home.

In Ambleside, a building lot with no view runs about $925,000, the average detached home is $1,500,000 and at the moment a 16,000 sq ft lot with 4600 sq ft home and big city and ocean views is offered for $1,588,800.

Ambleside is an excellent school catchment, with Ridgeview and Saint Anthony's Elementary within walking distance, as well as West Vancouver Secondary(IB Program/Top Ranked Public School) and Collingwood Private School. Ambleside is close to Downtown Vancouver and the Highway with excellent amenities such as Ambleside Beach, Park Royal Village, dog parks, sports fields, The Sea Wall, and Hollyburn Country Club and Capilano Golf Club.

The OCP (Official Community Plan) for Ambleside is to redevelop Marine Dr to be more pedestrian friendly and have trees/planters, wider sidewalks, and more appealing store fronts like Dundarave (currently West Vancouver's hottest Real Estate located five minutes West of Ambleside).

Ambleside features great views, amazing schools, family-orientated neighborhoods, and an extremely convenient location.

2) Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver

In the last 5 years Lower Lonsdale has transformed into an amazing urban community with the redevelopment of old shipyards and manufacturing plants into trendy condos, lofts, heritage conversions, shops, and amenities(Remember Yaletown!). Residents can easily get downtown on The Seabus, a smooth 15 minute boat trip from Lower Lonsdale to Waterfront station near Gastown, another emerging part of Vancouver, but the Drugs/Homeless/Mental Illness Issues in Gastown make Lower Lonsdale a safer, more affordable and desirable place to invest & live.

There have been several excellent new buildings added to the Lower Lonsdale Cityscape in the past few years, my favorite are 1) Mira on The Park 2) The Pier 3) Time 4)One Park Lane 5)Vista Place. Visit www.NorthVanApartments.com for a complete Building Directory.

There is also a bit of a building boom on the horizon for North Vancouver. The Drive by Onni, Anderson Walk by Polygon, The Kimpton, District Crossing, 2 New Buildings at The Pier, and 2-3 more sites being re-zoned for high-rise development. There will be a lot of Supply coming on the market in about 18-24 months, which may present a great opportunity to Buy and invest/live in this emerging market.

3) Coal Harbour, Vancouver

Coal Harbour is one of the most expensive places to live in Vancouver, and it it isn't going to change anytime soon! Originally an industrial port for Coal Miners in Vancouver, Gordon Campbell had the vision to form a World-Class neighhbourhood that thrives today. Vancouver's finest restaurants, waterfront parks, marinas, and buildings can be found in Coal Harbour.

From The Bayshore Buildings to 1,2, and now 3 Harbour Green on The Golden Mile, the quality and design of high rises in Coal Harbour is the finest in Vancouver. With a very limited supply just steps to Stanley Park, Robson St, and The Vancouver Convention Center, exclusive Coal Harbour remains a quite and livable part of the Downtown core.

My favourite Buildings include, Harbour Green, Cielo (Rooftop gym), Carina & Callisto, the Melville (Rooftop Pool), Flat Iron, Shaw Tower, Escala, Denia, Cascina, and the towering Shangri La. Look for West Pender Place to complete early in 2011 and construction to begin on the Ritz-Carlton, across the street from Shangri-La and reaching 1 floor taller!

Visit www.VanApartments.com for a complete list of Real Estate for Sale in Coal Harbour Today.

4) Edgemont Village, North Vancouver

Edgemont Village is the most desirable neighborhood in North Vancouver. Ideally located near Capilano River and Grouse Mountain with easy access to Highway 1 and Downtown Vancouver. A tremendous feel of community and family unites this community with Edgemont Village as a focal point for shops, lunches, and all life's amenities.

With Handsworth High School, a powerhouse in Northshore Sports and Academics, and an abundance of parks and recreation, Edgemont is a serene place to live and one of the safest communities in Canada.

A splendid mix of High End Homes, Contemporary Classics, and New Townhomes and Apartments make Edgemont a highly sought after community for young families, empty nesters, young adults, and new immigrants to The Northshore.

For Builders, there is excellent opportunity to Buy a Lot or weathered Home and build or redevelop as the demand for Fresh Finished Product is high.

5) Caufield, West Vancouver

They say the weather is better in Caulfield, a newer community on rocky bluffs boasting new infrastructure (No Power Lines!), an excellent School Program (Rockridge High School & West Bay Elementary(IB Program)), and gorgeous newer homes with spectacular Howe Sound and City views.

If you don't mind the 15 minute cruise from Lions Gate on The Highway, Caulfield is an amazing place to live. The Community is connected by Caulfield Village, and great amenities such as BC Ferries (Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island access), The New Sea to Sky Highway (Whistler), Beaches, Hiking Trails, Glen Eagles Golf Club, and more!

You can buy a Big House in Caulfield with all the fixings for less than the average home in North Vancouver, at about $1,150,000 and well below the averages of West Vancouver or Vancouver West. Recent bylaw amendments in West Vancouver also allow the registration of legal suites, meaning young couples, investors, and downsizers have the option of renting out a suite for additional income vs buying an expensive condo with high maintenance fees.

I hope you enjoyed my Top 5 places to Live & Invest on The Northsore & Downtown Vancouver.

Other emerging and highly sought-after areas of the Northshore & Downtown worthy of mention are Deep Cove, Canyon Heights, Seymour Estates, West Bay, British Properties, Dundarave, Lynn Valley, Fairview Slopes, Yaletown, and Crosstown.

If you have any questions please feel free to write me at stu@stubell.com or call 604.562.0532.

Follow me @StuBellRealtor and find me at www.Facebook.com/StuBellRealEstate.

Now Get out and Enjoy the Great Outdoors we are privileged to have!

Happy Home Hunting:)