West End
Neighbourhood
Snapshot
Flanked by Stanley Park and the downtown core, the West End hums with espresso bars, bike lanes, and sunset‑watchers along the seawall. Leafy side streets soften the bustle, making it easy to forget you’re in the heart of Vancouver.
Population
Median Age
Walk Score
Transit Score
Eat, Drink & Explore
Overview
West End real estate sits where Vancouver’s skyline meets the surf. Bordered by the sparkling waters of English Bay and the towering evergreens of Stanley Park, the neighbourhood balances relaxed beach culture with the conveniences of the downtown peninsula. Heritage walk‑ups rub shoulders with sleek presale towers, while rainbow crosswalks, international grocers, and indie coffee roasters reveal a proudly diverse community. Nearly every daily errand can be tackled within a 10‑minute stroll, making living in West End a car‑light dream for professionals, retirees, and newcomers alike.
Location & Boundaries
Despite its compact footprint, each block has its own flavour: tree‑lined Barclay and Pendrell Streets showcase ornate heritage apartments, Davie Village celebrates LGBTQ2S+ culture with rainbow banners and late‑night eateries, while the Alberni luxury corridor edges into the neighbourhood with designer boutiques and Michelin‑starred dining. That patchwork vibe allows residents to curate their lifestyle without ever leaving the postcode.
Squeezed onto 1.98 km² of the downtown peninsula, the West End stretches from Burrard Street in the east to English Bay in the west and from Georgia Street in the north down to Beach Avenue. Its 44,233 residents enjoy front‑row access to Vancouver’s flagship green spaces, world‑class dining corridors on Robson and Denman, and the business core just beyond Burrard.
West End Real Estate & Pricing
Buyers curious about West End properties should factor in upcoming civic policies. The West End Community Plan (2013) caps building heights on interior streets to protect sightlines, funneling taller developments to Georgia and Burrard corridors. Meanwhile, the city’s Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program (MIRHPP) encourages purpose‑built rentals with a portion of below‑market units—good news for workforce housing seekers.
The housing mix is as eclectic as the community. Purpose‑built rental towers from the 1960s put down the earliest vertical roots, followed by boutique strata conversions and, more recently, luxury high‑rises such as The Butterfly and Mirabel. Buyers can find studio co‑ops under 400 sq ft, heritage condos with coved ceilings, or presale penthouses with panoramic water views. Renters dominate—roughly 80 % of dwellings—yet limited supply and strong investor interest keep prices competitive with Downtown and Yaletown. If you’re comparing homes for sale in West End with Coal Harbour or Kitsilano, expect more affordable price‑per‑square‑foot in exchange for slightly older stock and smaller floor plans.
Transit & Accessibility
Car‑share co‑ops like Evo and Modo pepper kerbsides for the occasional IKEA run, and protected bike lanes along Beach Avenue turn the daily commute into a postcard ride. Residents heading to UBC or the North Shore can catch express buses at Georgia & Denman or zip over the Burrard Bridge. For frequent flyers, YVR International Airport sits a 30‑minute Canada Line ride away.
A stellar 95 Walk Score and 89 Transit Score mean most errands start on foot or with TransLink buses that fan out along Davie, Denman, and Burrard. Cyclists tap into the city’s greenway network via Comox‑Helmcken and hop on Mobi bike‑share stations sprinkled every few blocks. SkyTrain connections are a 10‑ to 15‑minute walk at Burrard or Granville Stations, while a future extension of the rapid‑transit Millennium Line could shave travel times even further.
Parks & Recreation
The seawall itself doubles as both gym and meditation path: joggers share space with rollerbladers and stroller‑pushing parents, all soaking up west‑facing sunsets that regularly make “best Instagram spots in Vancouver” lists. If indoor recreation is your preference, the 24‑hour fitness clubs on Denman and boutique yoga studios off Davie ensure there’s a workout for every style.
Ask any local for the best parks in West End and you’ll get a curated list: Stanley Park’s 400‑hectare rainforest and seawall loop, Sunset Beach’s volleyball courts, Alexandra Park’s dog‑friendly lawn, and Nelson Park’s community garden. Paddleboards, kayaks, and rental bikes are steps away, while the annual Celebration of Light fireworks paints the sky every summer. For rainy‑day respite, the Vancouver Aquatic Centre and West End Community Centre provide indoor pools, rinks, and fitness programs.
Schools & Amenities
Post‑secondary students appreciate direct bus links to SFU Harbour Centre and VCC Downtown, while continuing‑studies programs at nearby VFS and BCIT make evening classes convenient. Grocery runs range from organic markets to 24‑hour convenience stores, and healthcare is rounded out by numerous medical clinics and dentists along Denman Street.
Families are few but growing, thanks to Lord Roberts Elementary and its Annex, plus King George Secondary’s French Immersion track. A new St. Paul’s Hospital campus rising in nearby False Creek Flats will transform regional healthcare access, while West End Community Centre already houses a public library branch, pottery studio, and rink. Everyday shopping ranges from No Frills and Safeway to Korean specialty grocers and zero‑waste refill stations on Denman.
Market Trends & Data
Experts forecast modest single‑digit appreciation through 2026 as remote‑friendly workers gravitate back to urban cores for culture and connectivity. Investors note that vacancy‑control legislation and strict short‑term rental bylaws (Airbnb, VRBO) keep speculative volatility low, preserving steady long‑term cash flow.
After a subdued 2024, West End condo prices 2025 are bouncing back. The average sale price for all home types in July 2025 is $1,024,700 (Zolo 2025‑07), up 4.2 % year‑over‑year. Active listings remain lean—just 1.8 months of inventory—so competitively priced two‑bedroom units still attract multiple offers within 30 days on market.
Key Takeaways
- Beachfront sunsets and downtown energy in one compact pocket.
- Diverse housing stock suits renters, investors, and downsizers.
- High walk‑bike‑transit scores translate into lower transportation costs.
- Upcoming West End Waterfront Plan will transform Beach Avenue over the next decade.
FAQs
Is the West End suitable for families?
Yes—while the median age sits around 37, playgrounds at Sunset Beach and Nelson Park, plus childcare centres tucked into the Community Centre, make urban parenting doable.
What types of investment properties perform best?
One‑bedroom condos between 500 and 650 sq ft are rental magnets, maintaining vacancy rates below 1 % and delivering steady appreciation thanks to limited new rental supply.
Need personalised real‑estate advice for West End? Reach out any time.
This guide is for educational purposes only. Statistics, prices, and scores are believed accurate at time of writing but may change without notice. Nothing here is legal or financial advice—always verify information and consult qualified professionals before acting.
Overview
West End real estate sits where Vancouver’s skyline meets the surf. Bordered by the sparkling waters of English Bay and the towering evergreens of Stanley Park, the neighbourhood balances relaxed beach culture with the conveniences of the downtown peninsula. Heritage walk‑ups rub shoulders with sleek presale towers, while rainbow crosswalks, international grocers, and indie coffee roasters reveal a proudly diverse community. Nearly every daily errand can be tackled within a 10‑minute stroll, making living in West End a car‑light dream for professionals, retirees, and newcomers alike.
Location & Boundaries
Despite its compact footprint, each block has its own flavour: tree‑lined Barclay and Pendrell Streets showcase ornate heritage apartments, Davie Village celebrates LGBTQ2S+ culture with rainbow banners and late‑night eateries, while the Alberni luxury corridor edges into the neighbourhood with designer boutiques and Michelin‑starred dining. That patchwork vibe allows residents to curate their lifestyle without ever leaving the postcode.
Squeezed onto 1.98 km² of the downtown peninsula, the West End stretches from Burrard Street in the east to English Bay in the west and from Georgia Street in the north down to Beach Avenue. Its 44,233 residents enjoy front‑row access to Vancouver’s flagship green spaces, world‑class dining corridors on Robson and Denman, and the business core just beyond Burrard.
West End Real Estate & Pricing
Buyers curious about West End properties should factor in upcoming civic policies. The West End Community Plan (2013) caps building heights on interior streets to protect sightlines, funneling taller developments to Georgia and Burrard corridors. Meanwhile, the city’s Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program (MIRHPP) encourages purpose‑built rentals with a portion of below‑market units—good news for workforce housing seekers.
The housing mix is as eclectic as the community. Purpose‑built rental towers from the 1960s put down the earliest vertical roots, followed by boutique strata conversions and, more recently, luxury high‑rises such as The Butterfly and Mirabel. Buyers can find studio co‑ops under 400 sq ft, heritage condos with coved ceilings, or presale penthouses with panoramic water views. Renters dominate—roughly 80 % of dwellings—yet limited supply and strong investor interest keep prices competitive with Downtown and Yaletown. If you’re comparing homes for sale in West End with Coal Harbour or Kitsilano, expect more affordable price‑per‑square‑foot in exchange for slightly older stock and smaller floor plans.
Transit & Accessibility
Car‑share co‑ops like Evo and Modo pepper kerbsides for the occasional IKEA run, and protected bike lanes along Beach Avenue turn the daily commute into a postcard ride. Residents heading to UBC or the North Shore can catch express buses at Georgia & Denman or zip over the Burrard Bridge. For frequent flyers, YVR International Airport sits a 30‑minute Canada Line ride away.
A stellar 95 Walk Score and 89 Transit Score mean most errands start on foot or with TransLink buses that fan out along Davie, Denman, and Burrard. Cyclists tap into the city’s greenway network via Comox‑Helmcken and hop on Mobi bike‑share stations sprinkled every few blocks. SkyTrain connections are a 10‑ to 15‑minute walk at Burrard or Granville Stations, while a future extension of the rapid‑transit Millennium Line could shave travel times even further.
Parks & Recreation
The seawall itself doubles as both gym and meditation path: joggers share space with rollerbladers and stroller‑pushing parents, all soaking up west‑facing sunsets that regularly make “best Instagram spots in Vancouver” lists. If indoor recreation is your preference, the 24‑hour fitness clubs on Denman and boutique yoga studios off Davie ensure there’s a workout for every style.
Ask any local for the best parks in West End and you’ll get a curated list: Stanley Park’s 400‑hectare rainforest and seawall loop, Sunset Beach’s volleyball courts, Alexandra Park’s dog‑friendly lawn, and Nelson Park’s community garden. Paddleboards, kayaks, and rental bikes are steps away, while the annual Celebration of Light fireworks paints the sky every summer. For rainy‑day respite, the Vancouver Aquatic Centre and West End Community Centre provide indoor pools, rinks, and fitness programs.
Schools & Amenities
Post‑secondary students appreciate direct bus links to SFU Harbour Centre and VCC Downtown, while continuing‑studies programs at nearby VFS and BCIT make evening classes convenient. Grocery runs range from organic markets to 24‑hour convenience stores, and healthcare is rounded out by numerous medical clinics and dentists along Denman Street.
Families are few but growing, thanks to Lord Roberts Elementary and its Annex, plus King George Secondary’s French Immersion track. A new St. Paul’s Hospital campus rising in nearby False Creek Flats will transform regional healthcare access, while West End Community Centre already houses a public library branch, pottery studio, and rink. Everyday shopping ranges from No Frills and Safeway to Korean specialty grocers and zero‑waste refill stations on Denman.
Market Trends & Data
Experts forecast modest single‑digit appreciation through 2026 as remote‑friendly workers gravitate back to urban cores for culture and connectivity. Investors note that vacancy‑control legislation and strict short‑term rental bylaws (Airbnb, VRBO) keep speculative volatility low, preserving steady long‑term cash flow.
After a subdued 2024, West End condo prices 2025 are bouncing back. The average sale price for all home types in July 2025 is $1,024,700 (Zolo 2025‑07), up 4.2 % year‑over‑year. Active listings remain lean—just 1.8 months of inventory—so competitively priced two‑bedroom units still attract multiple offers within 30 days on market.
Key Takeaways
- Beachfront sunsets and downtown energy in one compact pocket.
- Diverse housing stock suits renters, investors, and downsizers.
- High walk‑bike‑transit scores translate into lower transportation costs.
- Upcoming West End Waterfront Plan will transform Beach Avenue over the next decade.
FAQs
Is the West End suitable for families?
Yes—while the median age sits around 37, playgrounds at Sunset Beach and Nelson Park, plus childcare centres tucked into the Community Centre, make urban parenting doable.
What types of investment properties perform best?
One‑bedroom condos between 500 and 650 sq ft are rental magnets, maintaining vacancy rates below 1 % and delivering steady appreciation thanks to limited new rental supply.
Need personalised real‑estate advice for West End? Reach out any time.
This guide is for educational purposes only. Statistics, prices, and scores are believed accurate at time of writing but may change without notice. Nothing here is legal or financial advice—always verify information and consult qualified professionals before acting.
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