CAPILANO UNIVERSITY

While many of North Vancouver’s neighbourhoods and districts share many of the same positive attributes they all differ in the slightest ways.  Visitors driving past may not notice these subtle intricacies, but many locals can certainly point out the advantages of one area over another.  While you simply cannot go wrong buying a home anywhere in North Vancouver, it is ultimately up to you to prioritize exactly what you are looking for in a neighbourhood.  If you are looking to surround yourself with a younger population and all of the events and activities that come with living in close proximity to a college, hone your real estate search in around Capilano University.  What you find will not disappoint.

Location

Capilano University is conveniently located in the heart of North Vancouver.  Nestled between Lynn Creek and the Seymour River, the area around the university is an upbeat and exciting part of an already fun area of the city.  The rivers and their adjacent parks provide natural beauty and the university itself always seems to be playing host to special events, guest speakers, concerts, theatre, and more.  If you are trying to avoid the main hustle and bustle of city life when purchasing your new home, but still appreciate the culture and diversity that comes with living in an urban center, then the Capilano University district is for you.  With British Columbia Highway 1 running just to the west and providing easy access to both downtown Vancouver to the south and the vast British Columbia wilderness to the north, you will be located virtually in the middle of some of the region’s most alluring destinations.

Parks and Green Space

In addition to the massive swaths of provincial parks and British Columbia wilderness just a short drive away, this little slice of paradise between two rivers has no shortage of undeveloped parks and green space to enjoy.  The Capilano University campus is responsible for much of the beautiful architecture and development in the area, but the city parks in this neighbourhood are also some of the best. Lillooet Park is home to some of the finest soccer fields and open spaces in North Vancouver and is also incredibly proud to claim the first community garden in all of North Vancouver.  Across the neighbourhood sits Inter River Park, an equally impressive park with athletic fields, trails, a bike park – all in a beautiful creekside setting. Between these two classic parks is Capilano University itself, with ample forests and hiking trails to the north.

Capilano University

At the center of this neighbourhood is, you guessed it, Capilano University.  Founded in 1968, this mostly undergraduate institution celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2018 and is still going strong.  Known as Capilano College in its early days, it was founded to primarily serve the local community. Enrollment in the early years was around 800 students.  In 2008 Capilano College became Capilano University and, today enrolls around 8,500 undergraduate students each year. With over one hundred different programs, twelve bachelor’s degrees, six men’s and women’s varsity sports teams, a student newspaper, and a slew of other student organizations, there is no shortage of activity or excitement occurring on or near campus.  Engrained in this neighbourhood’s culture is a deep sense of community, and Capilano University seeks to add to that. By living in this district, you will be exposed to many of the fun and unique offerings that only close proximity to a college allows. If that sounds enticing, turn your North Vancouver real estate search toward Capilano University.

Highway arteries or natural breaks in the land such as rivers or parks subdivide the various neighbourhoods and districts of North Vancouver rather simply.  While to many one area may appear to seamlessly flow into the next, locals will tell you otherwise. Perhaps nowhere is this clearer than the Capilano University neighbourhood and its surrounding districts.  Tucked away between the Seymour River and Lynn Creek, Capilano University is easy to overlook as a campus and nothing more. However, those living here would beg to differ. Calling Capilano University home allows you the same ease of access to downtown Vancouver and the surrounding area as the rest of North Vancouver, with the added bonus of living nearby a phenomenal educational institution and all the perks that go along with it.  This corner of North Vancouver is both a great place to raise a family or call home on your own and, either way, the community will welcome you with open arms.