Downtown Vancouver is the belly of the beast in the best way possible. What that means for those who live there is that they enjoy the most broad and fine selection of activities, food, drink, and recreation in all of British Columbia. It also means that they reap ample employment opportunities, entrenched financial stability, dependable property value, and peak access to gorgeous waterfront areas and mountain trails. Living in Downtown Vancouver is a truly comprehensive experience because there simply isn’t a desire which can’t be fulfilled, usually quickly, and very close by. It’s also outstanding because even a quick review of any economic publication will tell you that Vancouver is absolutely booming right now, and it’s still on the come up. In 2017 Vancouver’s GDP accounted for 7.5% of Canada’s entire overall economy. However, downtown Vancouver is just as great for families looking to settle as it is for the career oriented. The surrounding wilderness to the north provides abounding activities for daily excursions, as do the beaches, parks, and hot-spots within Vancouver proper. Finally, the schools in the area, both public and private are lauded as progressive and extremely proficient. Downtown Vancouver is ripe for living well and waiting to be explored.
The area surrounding Vancouver’s downtown has just as much to offer as the urban center itself. To the north is the gorgeous Stanley Park which is both accessible and expansive in terms of green space, hiking and walking trails, as well as waterfront access. If this area isn’t enough to satisfy, just a bit further across the majestic Lions Gate Bridge will bring you to the base camps of some of the peaks British Columbia is most famous for, such as Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and Crown Mountain. Whether hiking, skiing, walking, or simply taking in the cool fresh air, these mountains are sure to delight. All of them are a breeze to reach as they are under 30 minutes away by car from the center of downtown. In terms of waterfront access, Sunset Beach Park buffers Vancouver island on the south side, and the harbour and ports line the Northside, both providing for breathtaking views and a selection of aqua related activities. In a survey bustling urban areas which have quick access not just to outdoors activities, but some of the most high-quality wilderness-oriented recreation in all of North America, no city comes even close to Vancouver.
Furthermore, the city’s public transportation system is top notch. Metro and buses can have you zooming around Vancouver proper, through the West End and Coal Harbour, down through Granville Island and Fairview, and even up through to the aforementioned peaks of the Northside. Not only does a home in Downtown Vancouver present countless options in terms of accessibility to activities in the surrounding area, but it also makes them super easy to get to.
It almost seems like an ironic question; “What is there to do in Downtown Vancouver?”, because the answers are so numerous. However, there are certainly a few locations which are worth singling out as local favourites and which help make Vancouver proper the wonderland it is for food, drink, and play. Black+Blue is an illustrious three-story steak house which hosts rare cuts of meat, custom lockers for dry ageing beef, and a luxurious ambiance that you don’t want to miss. Additionally, Glowbal is a state-of-the-art fusion restaurant serving up unique cocktails and an expansive, sublime dining area. On the other end of the eatrie spectrum, you’ll find The Famous Warehouse, an authentic neighbourhood hangout with a classic bar feel, as well as The Templeton, a contemporary twist on a retro style diner with organic burgers and fair-trade breakfast fare. To the south is BC Place, Vancouver’s premier sports stadium for watching major-league Soccer and football, and of course just adjacent is Rogers Arena where loyal followers go to cheer on the beloved Canucks. Finally, there is the Vancouver Art Gallery, The Orpheum, a pristine 1927 theatre home to the Vancouver Symphony, and cinemas, exhibitions, and events galore throughout the center of downtown. The above listed barely scratch the surface of what awaits the residents of Downtown Vancouver, every single night of the week, 365 days of the year. To say that this city is one of the most happening places on the west coast would be an understatement.
Downtown Vancouver doesn’t just have an ideal location and abounding activities; it truly is a great place to call home. For one, the high level of activity in the Downtown area makes Vancouver one of the safest places to live in all of the immediate vicinity, with sites like Tripadvisor rating personal safety in Vancouver as extremely high. Besides, Vancouver is a city that won’t stop growing and developing. Massive amounts of employment opportunities stem from significant corporations (Amazon, for example) which see the value in investing and entrenching themselves in a city like Vancouver. This makes Vancouver an area with uniquely high job stability, well maintained economic circumstances, and a municipality which consistently exhibits a singularly high level of involvement with its community. For every want you may have in mind when looking for a home, downtown Vancouver has a satisfying and exciting answer.