LYNN VALLEY

The neighbourhoods of North Vancouver have seen a recent rise in popularity, as more young professionals and aspiring homeowners seek to move out of the city proper and into more hip and unique satellite communities with perhaps a little better access to the great outdoors.  As we see more and more people shopping for homes or condos in North Vancouver, we get to constantly rediscover why this part of the city is so special. Each neighbourhood has its own distinct flair and flavour and, it doesn’t take long to find the area that is perfect for you and your family.  For many, that place is Lynn Valley. One visit to this North Vancouver neighbourhood and you, too, could soon be flipping through real estate listings looking for your dream home.

Location

Lynn Valley is conveniently located north of Vancouver proper and south of some of the city’s most accessible and wild natural areas.  British Columbia Highway 1 runs just south of this neighbourhood, providing the perfect artery into the city and escape north to the mountains.  Of course, Lynn Valley itself boasts incredible natural areas as well as the comfort and amenities provided by city living. While you can easily get in and out of this highly desirable North Vancouver neighbourhood, you could also quickly find that you may never want to leave!

History and the Housing Market

Much of Vancouver was explored and settled in the 1900s, and Lynn Valley is no exception.  This particular neighborhood was named aver John Linn, a British Royal Engineer, who settled here in the 1870s – making it one of the districts longest established neighborhoods.  Since then, residency and development has been on the rise. Similar to much of Vancouver, Lynn Valley has seen a recent increase in demand and housing prices. Today, average home prices in Lynn Valley hover right around $1,000,000 – a testament to both the beauty of the home and the desirability of the neighbourhood itself!

The Heart of Lynn Valley

Lynn Valley Village and Lynn Valley Centre make up the social and commercial heart of Lynn Valley.  Lynn Valley Village is home to a variety of markets, cafes, restaurants, and shops as well as the public library.  Nearby Lynn Valley Centre is home to more commercial shops and restaurants, and both areas host fun and unique events on a regular basis.  Recently, plans have been made to further enhance this part of town in a way that seeks to celebrate and improve upon Lynn Valley’s natural beauty and a strong underlying sense of community.   Projects include building and promoting pedestrian and biker friendly transit, increased park and community space, and more residential and commercial buildings with a focus on sustainable development.

Lynn Valley Parks

While the community and commercial opportunities in and around Lynn Park are hard to beat, what truly sets this neighbourhood apart is its access to some of North Vancouver’s best parks.  Folks from all around travel to Lynn Park to visit these natural spaces but, as a resident, you will get to enjoy many of them right out of your backyard. While the urban parks in this neighbourhood are great the real crown jewels are Lynn Canyon Park and Lynn Headwaters Regional Park.  Both parks are beautiful second growth forest, as the old growth succumbed to logging in the 1800s and early 1900s. Lynn Canyon Park is a 617-acre municipal park that boasts many hiking trails for all levels of hikers. It is also home to the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge – a historic wooden suspension bridge built in 1912 that crosses 50 metres above the forest floor. This park is also home to the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, which seeks to create a fun and engaging way for students of all ages to learn about both the local and global environment.  With special events and presentations year round, there is always a reason to visit Lynn Canyon Park.

Nearby is Lynn Headwaters Regional Park – the largest regional park in the Vancouver area at over 9,200 acres.  Similar to Lynn Canyon, this park has many hiking trails for all experience levels – each of which showcases a different and beautiful part of this temperate rainforest park.  While the landscape is stunning in both natural areas, lucky visitors may also have the opportunity to spot wildlife. A variety of birds call this forest home as do salamanders, tree frogs, squirrels, elk, deer, black bear, coyotes, and even the occasional mountain lion.

The neighbourhoods of North Vancouver are some of the city’s finest, and it won’t take you long to discover why.  As you explore the area considering where you may want to call home, make a list of your neighbourhood priorities.  If a strong community, proximity to world-class parks and natural spaces, and the amenities of city life are on that last consider Lynn Valley. This is one area you will be proud to call home.