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NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE KITSILANO, VANCOUVER

Kitsilano, referred to as "Kits" by locals, is the place where Vancouverites go to relax and have fun. In the 1960s, it was likened to San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district and still holds on to some of that hippy vibe. In stark contrast, Downtown is where people go to work.

Kits, a progressive and eco-friendly neighbourhood, is known for its organic food, trendy multicultural restaurants and its selection of great shopping. It is also the birthplace of Greenpeace, the BC Green Party and the global yoga brand Lululemon Athletica, making it a hub of environmental activism and wellness.

Kitsilano, now situated between Burrard and Alma Street, used to be a densely forested area filled with wildlife and had a salmon-canning factory at the foot of Macdonald Street. Historically, this was the case.

Kitsilano is a laid-back, West Coast city home to the renowned Kits Beach, which is often ranked among the top ten beaches in the world. Formerly a popular destination for hippies in the 1960s and 1970s, it is now a place where Vancouverites come to show off in the summer. The locals living in Kitsilano are a unique blend of young professionals, university students, and families who value the beach town atmosphere. In terms of age, approximately half of all the inhabitants range from their 20s to 30s.

ENTERTAINMENT, RESTAURANTS, CAFES

Kitsilano is a haven for shoppers and foodies alike, with two of Vancouver's most important streets, West 4th Avenue and West Broadway, filled with trendy boutiques, organic markets, and big-name brand stores. When it comes to restaurants, Kitsilano rivals Downtown in its variety, with iconic eateries such as The Naam, which was founded in 1968 at the peak of the hippy days.

Steps away from Kitsilano Beach is the Japanese restaurant Hapa Izakaya, while other popular eateries in the area include the Malaysian Banana Leaf, the Mexican Las Margaritas and East is East, an establishment offering a mix between Middle Eastern and East Indian fare. With its homey atmosphere, East is East often has someone playing acoustic guitar and offers local, organic ingredients. Chai tea lovers will be delighted by the relaxed atmosphere, inspired by the Silk Route of China, India and the Mediterranean.

PROPERTY TYPE

Nearly 60% of residents in Kitsilano are renters, and rental units are widely available. Low-rise apartment and condo buildings with under five stories make up almost 70% of dwellings in the area, followed by single-detached and semi-detached family homes, and just over 10% of homes are duplexes.

In this area of the city, there is an even split of owners and renters. Most of the dwellings consist of small apartment buildings (60%) and duplexes (40%). The majority of the homes in Kitsilano were built in the 1960s (30%) and the 1980s (30%), with the remaining housing stock constructed before the 1960s. The majority of the homes here are two bedroom and one bedroom dwellings.

POLLUTION/ NOISE

Kitsilano is a neighbourhood located just minutes away from downtown Vancouver, yet it boasts plenty of clean air due to its 15 city parks and extensive waterfront. West 4th Avenue and West Broadway are bustling thoroughfares, but the residential streets are peaceful and lined with trees. As per the usual in beach-centric areas, the hustle and bustle of the area is mainly reserved for the day time, whereas nights are more subdued.

CRIME RATE

Kitsilano is one of Vancouver’s safest neighbourhoods, with a close-knit and friendly community atmosphere. This is an area with very low crime rates; in January of 2016, for example, there were no robberies and only three cases of motor vehicle theft, compared to 16 instances of each of these crimes in the Central Business District during the same period. Although it is still advisable to watch your belongings when on the beach and other crowded places, you can rest assured that Kitsilano is a secure neighbourhood.

SCHOOLS

Just minutes away from the University of British Columbia, Western Canada’s top ranked university. The youth of Kitsilano are also served by five public elementary schools and two high schools, as well as two independent schools. For Kindergarten to Grade 7, students can go to Bayview, False Creek, General Gordon, Henry Hudson, Lord Tennyson or the independent Catholic school St. Augustine.

Older students attend Kitsilano Secondary or Lord Byng. Kitsilano is also home to Fraser Academy, a private school for grades 1 to 12 which specializes in students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Kitsilano is an ideal neighbourhood for those who enjoy walking and cycling, as it is well-suited for both. The streets are pedestrian-friendly and close to various businesses, while the cycling infrastructure is particularly good. Public transit is also easily available; there are roughly 10 bus lines, with stops not far from most homes. Although it is difficult to drive in the area, as it is a long drive to the nearest highway and parking spaces are limited.

The neighbourhood of Kitsilano is connected to the city’s Sky Train system through the express bus line 99 B-line, which starts at UBC and runs along Broadway, Vancouver’s major East-West thoroughfare. Additionally, the area is well-served by public transportation with direct buses to Downtown and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Major bus routes in the neighbourhood run along West 4th Avenue and West Broadway.

SERVICES

Property owners can find a fair number of clothing stores within walking distance, and schools and daycares are easy to get to from any spot in this part of Vancouver. Eating-wise, there is always a general grocery store and a specialty one just a few steps away, and a cafe or restaurant can always be found nearby - such as on 10th Avenue.

CHARACTER

Residents of Kitsilano can easily access public green spaces, thanks to the proximity of about 20 of them. This part of the city has a character that appeals to a diverse group of people and provides numerous places to enjoy. Although the nightlife is limited, the streets are usually filled with people. Additionally, the neighbourhood is relatively quiet with low levels of noise from traffic.

FAMILY LIFE

Kitsilano is home to many of Vancouver's top family attractions, including: Kitsilano Beach, Canada's longest pool - Kits Pool, an outdoor saltwater pool measuring 137 metres, three times longer than an Olympic pool; Vanier Park, with its grassy fields and stunning views of downtown Vancouver, containing the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, which has an observatory and planetarium for your little scientists; the Kitsilano Community Centre; and the Kitsilano branch of the Vancouver Public Library.

In the summer, Kitsilano's streets and parks come alive with festivals that bring smiles to people of every age. You can join the giant street party of music and arts at Khatsalahno on West 4th Avenue, enjoy theatre under the stars at the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, watch dance and music performances on the outdoor stage of the Kitsilano Showboat, or savour some delicious Greek food at the annual Greek Day on Broadway.

Living in Kitsilano

The mix of Kitsilano's eclectic neighbourhood is vibrant and energetic, with character homes, walk-up apartments, old hippies, young students, and the city’s Greek community all blending together.

Discovering the area’s many cafés, walking and cycling along the shore, past the maritime museum and through Vanier Park, are some activities that appeal to many in bohemian life near English Bay and at the entrance to False Creek, similar to South Granville, Kerrisdale and Marine Drive.

The summer months bring a frenzied pace of life to the shoreline, which is a huge part of its allure. Beachgoers, picnickers, and sightseers flock to the area to witness the annual fireworks display, making it a popular tourist destination. Every year, the last Sunday in June is celebrated as Greek Day on Broadway, followed by the Khatsalano festival a couple of weeks later, which celebrates art and culture. All of this makes the shoreline a fun and exciting place to be.

For those who can afford to live in Kitsilano, the community fabric is warm and comforting. Neighbours have close ties, and people care for their community and look out for each other. Despite the expensive detached houses, development has invigorated and polished the neighbourhood. The area is a great place to raise a family due to these factors.

Aphrodite’s Pie Shop on West 4th at Dunbar is one of the more recent additions to the Point Grey neighbourhood. For a walk along the foreshore at low tide or a ride down Point Grey Road, now a popular thoroughfare for biking, it is the perfect place to go. There are many other shops to visit along West 4th, such as the café at Whole Foods, a popular spot, and the long-standing favorite, Calhoun’s on Broadway, which is a frequent hangout for students.

Kitsilano continues to attract people with its greenway along the Arbutus Corridor, as well as its ever-evolving Sunday farmer's market located at the bustling community centre - the most bustling in the whole province.

What is the average home price in Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC?

The average home listing price in Vancouver is 10% lower than the current listing price of $2,905,000 in the Kitsilano neighbourhood, according to Vancouver MLS© statistics.

How much does a condo cost in Kitsilano?

The Kitsilano neighbourhood in Vancouver currently has an average condo listing price of $930,000, with the most expensive condo listed at $2,349,900 and the most affordable condo listed at $599,000 according to MLS© data.

How much does a townhouse cost in Kitsilano?

In Kitsilano, Vancouver, the most expensive townhouse is $5,190,000, the least expensive is $738,000, and the average listing price is $2,424,000.

What are nearby neighbourhoods to Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC?

Arbutus, Mackenzie Heights, Quilchena and Shaughnessy are the neighbourhoods closest to Kitsilano. Of all the nearby areas, Shaughnessy has the highest average house price at $9,892,000 and Quilchena has the lowest with an average of $3,880,000.

How many people rent versus buy real estate in Kitsilano?

In Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC, 51.5% of people rent their homes, compared to 48.5% who own. The median monthly rental price is $4,200, while the median monthly mortgage is $36,100.

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