Perhaps you're moving to Vancouver from another province or city, or maybe like us, you decided to completely hop countries and sample West Coast living. Whatever the reason for your move, no doubt you'll be searching for a cool place to live that allows you to fully experience Vancouver and take advantage of everything this beautiful city has to offer. 

Whether you're looking for a condo overlooking the beach, city living, mountain views, or a home with charm and character, there's a neighbourhood to suit all tastes. Although Vancouver isn't known to be the most affordable in the world, its blend of natural beauty, proximity to the mountains, outdoor activities, sandy beaches, cosmopolitan city lifestyle, and diversity all make the higher price tag worthwhile. Here's a glance at some of the best areas to live in Vancouver to help with your house hunt.

Downtown

If you're looking to live somewhere super central and have amenities such as restaurants, transit, and shops at your fingertips, Downtown offers just that. Granville Street is one of the main bar/club areas, Robson Street offers a whole range of retail stores, and happening areas like Gastown and Yaletown are within short walking distance. Downtown's housing consists primarily of high-rise condos at fairly standard sizes, and you're so close to everything which makes it perfect for young professionals and those craving city living.

The area consists mainly of high-rise condos and apartments, many of which offer larger living spaces compared to those in the Downtown areas. False Creek is growing rapidly with developments, such as the upcoming Avenue One in Southeast False Creek built by Concord Pacific, which offers unobstructed views of the North Shore mountains, and a mix of beautiful one/two bedroom condos with balconies, townhouses, and penthouse apartments.  

Photo Credit: Avenue One 

 West End & English Bay

Undoubtedly one of Vancouver's most diverse and charming areas, the West End is a great place to live and offers a chilled-out vibe, beach views, plenty of green spaces, and more affordable living. The West End stretches from Davie Village all the way down to Stanley Park, and it's a popular neighbourhood among both young professionals and families. Denman Street is dotted with independent restaurants, cafes, and shops, and you'll find a mix of heritage homes, low and mid-rise apartments, and newly developed condos. Sunset Beach and English Bay Beach are both very popular, especially in summer, and the seawall runs all the way around the Downtown peninsula and Stanley Park so it's a great route for walkers, runners, and cyclists. 

Kitsilano

Home to beautiful beaches, sailing clubs, yoga studios, and cool bars and restaurants, Kitsilano (often called "Kits") is one of Vancouver's coolest areas. It's laid-back, dog-friendly, and diverse, and it's perfect for those who enjoy staying active. Housing consists primarily of suites in big houses and apartments in mid to low-rise buildings. The streets around West 4th and West Broadway are generally the busiest and most happening.