UPPER LONSDALE

Upper Lonsdale is a lovely neighbourhood with true hybridity. In this area, you’ll encounter all of the atmosphere, community, and charm which characterizes the small mountain towns of North Vancouver but you’ll also find that Upper Lonsdale retains the benefits of a larger more urbanized area. Upper Lonsdale is gorgeous at all times of the year; it’s supremely easy to navigate and get around, bordering its east and west sides are vast green spaces and parks, and it has the safety and security distinctive of similar small towns with tight-knit communities. What’s most appealing about this area to its current residents is a balance. Life in Upper Lonsdale isn’t hectic or overwhelming, in fact, most times it’s peaceful and serene. However, getting a taste of more lively surroundings is effortless as Lonsdale Avenue, which runs through the center of town, quickly brings you down into central Lonsdale and further to the bustling Lonsdale Quay waterfront area. Living in Upper Lonsdale allows for true agency in your day-to-day lifestyle by offering full and easy access to the most vital parts of the North Shore as well as a respite from the intensity in your home life.

Location

Locale

As mentioned above, traversing south towards the North Shore itself from Upper Lonsdale is exceptionally straight forward. Even without a car, the residential areas towards the center of North Vancouver and into the bay area are gorgeous and pleasant to bike or walk through. Alternatively, North Vancouver’s public transportation system is excellent and can quickly put you at the Quay market, North Vancouver Civic Center, Grand Boulevard, or any other chosen destination. There’s more to enjoy to the North of Upper Lonsdale as well. Grouse Mountain sits just twenty minutes away by bus or car and with it comes an ample selection of hiking, walking, and biking trails. Other local favourites include exploring the Capilano suspension bridge to the west, picnicking and relaxing in the lush Princess Park on the east side of town, or taking the day to go down to the Quay area and revelling in all that the waterfront has to offer. Finally, the Upper Levels Highway runs right through the south of town, so reaching downtown Vancouver for work or recreation is a breeze. All in all, Upper Lonsdale’s location is supreme, providing equally easy access to the mountains and the small towns surrounding them as it does to the waterfront and the bustling communities of the North Shore.

Out and About the Neighborhood

There is plenty to do in Upper Lonsdale, even without having to venture south of the Upper Levels highway. As touched on above, this area is prime real estate for adventurous individuals interested in outdoor activities within the surrounding peaks and wilderness. Upper Lonsdale is also an outstanding place to make your home if you plan on starting or are already raising a family. Much of the neighbourhood is purely residential and populated mainly by families, making Upper Lonsdale one of the safest areas in the North Shore and a place which allows children of all ages the freedom to play, explore, and make friends.

Additionally, the neighbourhood is host to a selection of choice schools which serve the district such as the Upper Lonsdale Preschool, Carisbrooke Elementary, Braemar Elementary School, and Mountainside Secondary. While the central area of Upper Lonsdale isn’t specifically expansive in terms of choice, the options available for food, drink, and relaxation are highly-reviewed. Queensdale Market is a one-stop-shop for everything you might need to make a delicious home meal, and just across the street, Queens Cross pub provides an authentic feel and strong brew. In terms of necessities, the central avenue is home to several highly rated medical clinics as well as Pelly Clinic, the highest rated chiropractor in the North Shore. Lions Gate Hospital is also just 5 minutes down the road in Central Lonsdale. Upper Lonsdale has everything that you might need yet avoids the pitfalls of excessive commercialization. It is a neighbourhood that is singularly meant to be called home.

Community Values to Depend On

There is a real sense of familiarity between the residents of Upper Lonsdale. This is an area that was built and populated partially as a result of the area’s flourishing lumber industry. Before the construction of homes, Upper Lonsdale was a mass of dense and thick forest which was then harvested and shipped out by the settlers venturing up from the ports of the North Shore. All of this is to say that Upper Lonsdale is a town founded on the principles of hard work, honest living, and traditional family values. These are conventions which have carried over into the present day community of this area and continue to guide the lives of those who live here. What this means for those who choose to make Upper Lonsdale their home is that they are nested in a neighbourhood which is safe and supportive for their families, surrounded by a community that places an importance on integrity, and grounded by a history which forms a deep connection with the land they live on.