Finding a new home for your family

Finding a new home can be intimidating, like circling the base of a mountain without knowing where to take the first step. Think of Local Logic as your trusty guidebook. We can’t make the trek for you, but we know the best trails, and we have a well-defined list of items to throw in your backpack before getting started.

Choosing the right location can be a subjective process. If you’re moving to be closer to family, your top priority may be finding a place near them. If your daughter was learning a new language before moving, your criteria for a new neighborhood might include options for an immersion school. Our experience in the real estate industry allows us to understand what makes a neighborhood family-friendly, so we can help you find the perfect home for your family

Quantifying the characteristics of the best neighborhoods in Vancouver for families

Getting a sense of Vancouver through location data

Local Logic builds location intelligence solutions to help home seekers and investors find opportunities that are most suited to their preferences and requirements. We draw upon thousands of data points to develop 18 proprietary Location Scores and provide street- and neighborhood-level insights.

Location Scores measure amenities close by and mobility patterns around a neighborhood, so homebuyers can better understand and assess a location. Using our location insights, you can find properties based on specific characteristics, such as proximity to schools or quiet neighborhoods, and make more informed decisions on where to live.

Benchmarking neighborhood scores against Vancouver’s average scores

Below you’ll find the Location Scores for Vancouver’s urban neighborhoods as well as the city’s average. We looked at the following family-friendly qualities: quiet, pedestrian-friendly, car-friendly, parks, groceries, elementary schools, high schools, and daycares. Then, we ranked each neighborhood by a composite score of all these factors.

• Quiet: Level of noise nearby
• Pedestrian-friendly: Represents how many stores and institutions are nearby and how pleasant it is to walk to them
• Car-friendly: Represents how well traffic flows and how easy it is to park
• Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
• Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
• Elementary Schools: Distance to closest elementary school
• High Schools: Distance to closest high school
• Daycares: Distance to closest daycare school

Ranking urban Vancouver’s most family-friendly neighborhoods

Here’s our data-informed list of urban Vancouver’s best neighborhoods for families:

1. Kitsilano

Families who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle will love living in the beachside neighborhood of Kitsilano. Some of Vancouver’s best beaches and parks are nearby, making it a great place for families who want to stay active.

Vanier Park features acres of green space to explore as well as family-friendly attractions like the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. A little further down the shoreline, Kitsilano Beach offers watersports, volleyball, and picnicking opportunities for families. Between May and September, you can also access the recently renovated saltwater Kitsilano Pool, which is Canada’s longest swimming pool.

2. Kensington-Cedar Cottage

Kensington-Cedar Cottage is a favorite of families looking for quality living at an affordable price. A majority of the residences in this neighborhood are duplexes, but there are lots of single-family homes and apartments in low-rise buildings as well.

You can also visit Vancouver’s only lake, Trout Lake, in John Hendry Park, which is located next to the neighborhood’s community center. The latter is a popular place where families can come partake in recreational activities, such as farmers’ markets, festivals, skating, tennis, and soccer.  Top-notch schools are also available in the area, offering both progressive and traditional learning environments, such as French immersion.

3. Renfrew-Collingwood

A quiet residential area surrounded by nature awaits you in Renfrew-Collingwood. This neighborhood is home to Renfrew Ravine Park, which is the only park in Vancouver that has a creek in a natural ravine. Recent improvements have been made to the park’s wooded, creekside walking trails by adding boardwalks, accessible walkways, and a dog park.

As one of the city’s most multicultural areas, Renfrew-Collingwood has implemented multiple educational and recreational programs to help children of diverse backgrounds integrate into their new neighborhoods. Recent immigrants to Canada have access to a private high school, for example. Families from around the world can also come together and strengthen their local ties through group activities at the Renfrew Park Community Centre or Collingwood Neighborhood House.

4. Shaughnessy

A primarily residential area, Shaughnessy is known for its elegant, grand properties. Compared to the rest of the city, it features a relatively high percentage of heritage homes built before or during World War II. This is one of Vancouver’s most prestigious neighborhoods, where many homes can measure up to 10,000 square feet on large, landscaped lots.

In Shaughnessy, you’ll find tree-lined streets and beautiful, peaceful parks, including Shaughnessy Park and Angus Park. In addition to these generous green spaces, the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Arbutus Greenway provide nature escapes for the entire family when city life gets too hectic.

5. West Point Grey

West Point Grey and its beachfront community provide families with an idyllic setting at the western tip of the peninsula. Although it’s one of Vancouver’s premier neighborhoods, the area maintains a quaint and homely atmosphere. There are many safe and quiet streets here where you can stroll along with your children or pets. Similarly to its neighbor, Dunbar, West Point Grey also offers an excellent selection of schools and a wide range of kid-friendly recreational options.

When you’re in the mood for a relaxing afternoon with your family, Jericho Beach or Spanish Banks offer breathtaking sunset views over the North Shore mountains. With numerous concession stands, volleyball courts, and quiet areas, these two popular beaches are also perfect for a family BBQ.

6. Dunbar-Southlands

Dunbar-Southlands is a residential area dotted with trees and serene parks that offers families a peaceful retreat from the bustle of city life. Single-family homes make up the majority of housing in the neighborhood, so you’ll be able to enjoy rare parking and backyard space.

The Dunbar Community Center offers summer day camps and classes for kids of all ages, making it a great place to entertain the whole family. In addition, it offers childcare facilities so you can squeeze in a biking or dancing workout. Several restaurants in Dunbar’s small retail district cater to children as well — Kokopelli Café on Dunbar street, for instance, has a play area for kids while you eat.

Finding the right neighborhood in Vancouver for your family

Our Location Scores are available through Local Content on many of our partner sites and their real estate listings in Vancouver. When searching for your next home, or a new neighborhood, you can look for specific characteristics on each individual listing to find the perfect place for you and your family.