WEST END

The West End is perfectly nestled against the heart of Downtown Vancouver. On the North-West side of the neighborhood, the area plunges into green space and waterfront territory. The massive Stanley Park balloons out either side of highway 99 encompassing lakes, tributaries, walking and hiking paths, and much more. Further, the West End itself is the most purely residential section of Vancouver proper, so while the best eating, shopping, and recreation in British Columbia waits at your fingertips, you’ll also have an area to come home to that escapes gratuitous commercialization. Finally, the West End has a rich history within Vancouver and it’s one which is sure to evolve and endure as the municipality continues to reassert its interest in developing the area with concrete plans to innovate and better the neighbourhood. The West End has so much to love, once you’re here it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else.

Location

In the West End, the speed with which you’ll access all of the most popular spots in downtown Vancouver is equal to how quickly you can reach sprawling British Columbia wilderness. As mentioned above, Stanley Park sits just to the north of the neighbourhood, quite literally minutes away. Here you’ll find a massive selection of hiking trails, including the Beaver Lake trail and Bridle Path, which intertwine across the green expanse and feature supreme views of the bay. Along the peripheries, there’s, even more, to explore, landmarks to visit, and locations to enjoy. Prospect Point lookout gazes on to the majestic Lions Gate Bridge offering stupendous views and both Third Beach and Zeus Beach are prime areas to spend the day lounging in front of the water. Stanley Park and all of its amenities form a microcosm ripe for exploration, adventure, and abounding outdoors activities all of which are just outside the door for those living in the West End. Heading north will take you out of the city, but going south or east from the West End funnels you into it. This area has direct access to the full expanse of Vancouver proper and the surrounding area. Heading just south will quickly have you in Granville Island and at its preeminent public market. To the east is of course Downtown Vancouver itself which needs no exposition on why it is so exciting, novel, and captivating. In addition, Vancouver’s outstanding public transportation system and metro can have you navigating the entire city quickly and without a car. The West End is ideal in every sense of the word. Every hot-spot imaginable is quickly reachable from its calm residential stretch and the great outdoors is just a step away.

Out and About

Downtown Vancouver has more fun things to do, great places to eat, and things to see than could ever be fit into less than a hundred pages. However, there are a few choice places necessary to separate from the heard as well as locations which lend themselves well to the West End specifically. Sunset Beach Park is just to the south-west coast of the neighbourhood and its supremely beautiful views will be hard to resist on a daily basis. Next, The Tea House in Stanley Park is a gorgeous venue right on the water which features premium west-coast seafood as well as great brunch and cocktails. The West End Farmer’s Market which happens every Saturday has become popular as the destination to reap fine produce for home cooking, but for the rest of the days of the week, Gourmet Fare on the east side can serve the same purpose. Finally, Score on Davie is a local west end pub which provides traditional Canadian fare and weekend brunch, and Sura Korean Royal Cuisine sets a cozy and casual atmosphere in which to enjoy familiarly delectable South-Korean dishes. These are just a few of the highlights which you may find while wandering around the fauna strewn streets of the West End, yet there is much more within this neighbourhood and an entire other world of restaurants and activities in downtown Vancouver itself. Being in this area means having the best options and selection for recreation, food, and drink of anywhere in British Columbia.

A Community within the Pandemonium

A very valid concern one might have about living in Vancouver’s urban center is the loss of communal feeling. Living in a city where there are so many people, places, and chaotic activity can be ironically isolating. However, the West End doesn’t fall into this trap. As a primarily residential area, the neighbourhood is able to preserve the sense of community linkage and trust which is often so valuable in creating a home. This is exhibited everywhere, like in the serenity of hanging out with friends and neighbours in Nelson park on a sunny afternoon. It’s in the small town aesthetic provided by the gorgeous and well-maintained historic houses which dot the area and it’s also tangible in the community built around institutions in the neighbourhood, such as The West End Community Center. What the West End offers is a bubble within the surrounding urban disorder in which to create strong bonds with those who live around you, invest yourself in a community that has integrity, and still be able to enjoy all the benefits of living in the most exciting city in all of British Columbia.