Vancouver is known for its mild, temperate winters, natural beauty and majestic surrounding areas, including Pacific coastlines and ski-friendly mountains. There’s also a bustling film industry (nicknamed “Hollywood of the North”), which keeps the city feeling vibey, with film crews on the streets and neighbourhoods doubling as backdrops in your favourite shows.
That’s why it also has a ‘not-so-popular’ reputation for its steep living costs. In fact, it’s often ranked one of the most expensive cities in the world, especially when it comes to housing.
Some of Vancouver’s suburbs stand out globally for their luxury, aesthetics, lifestyle possibilities, and exclusivity.
This guide gives you the rundown on the most expensive suburbs in Vancouver to live in and what makes them unique. We’ll also cover tidbits to help you choose which area to consider living in, based on preferences, budget, demographics, and interests.
It would be an understatement to say that Vancouver and its neighbourhoods are sought after by both Canadians and international people alike. This has created a high real estate demand, which is taken advantage of by investors and homeowners, driving property prices through the roof.
Suburban residents have ample access to beautiful natural areas, including parks, hiking trails, rainforests, and, of course, beaches. The homes are generally large and well-maintained, the streets are quiet and clean, and the schools are strong. Vancouver’s upscale neighbourhoods offer a level of safety not found in other areas of the city and surrounding cities. Above all else, living in these areas is considered prestigious for those who value status.
Let's not ignore the elephant in the room. Foreign property investment pushes housing prices even higher in an already expensive city. Wealthy investors purchase homes (often as assets rather than primary residences), which reduces the number of available properties for local families, newcomers, and first-time buyers. This drives up demand, inflates prices, and can leave neighbourhoods with empty or underused homes.
While foreign investment isn’t the only cause of Vancouver’s housing crisis, it adds pressure to a market with limited land and high competition, making affordability even more challenging.
Keep reading for an in-depth glimpse into Vancouver’s prestigious neighbourhoods.
When you live in West Vancouver, it’s almost guaranteed that you can see the ocean and/or mountains from at least one (if not all) of the windows in your home. The homes? They’re big and spacious. The streets are quiet, mostly residential, and perfect for letting your children ride bikes to the beach.
If you’re looking for privacy and prestige, this is the spot for you. Of course, property prices are high, but the estates are luxurious. For renters, options are limited but not out of the question.
The median price for a property in West Vancouver is CA$3.3 million.
Right in the center of the city lies Shaughnessy, a historic, ultra-affluent area with gorgeous heritage mansions. The neighbourhood is perfect for families, professionals and newcomers seeking privacy and status, while remaining close to downtown.
Shaughnessy consists of large, single-family homes and gated, high-security estates, making up some of the highest land values in the region.
The median price for a property in Shaughnessy is CA$2.9 million.
Point Grey is close to both the heart of Vancouver and the beautiful coastline. It offers the perfect balance of coastal scenery and academic prestige. The University of British Columbia (UBC) is considered one of the top universities in the world.
Find out more in our guide to Canada's education system and the top globally renowned schools and universities in the country.
The area is perfect for families prioritizing schools for their children, well-off academics and professors, professionals, and retirees who love ocean access. Housing consists of expensive detached homes, some newer luxury homes, and a handful of apartment and condo complexes.
The median price for a property in Point Grey is CA$3.6 million.
Kerrisdale is a quiet, refined suburb on the west side of town. It offers an intimate, village-like shopping district. It’s perfect for multigenerational families, retirees (and golf lovers), and longtime locals seeking stability and safety.
Housing includes expensive single-family homes with a handful of luxury low-rise condos.
The median price for a property in Kerrisdale is CA$3.5 million.
Perhaps the reason why North Van has a strong community feeling is that it's a bit removed from Vancouver’s downtown core and surrounding areas. While it is connected to downtown via the Lions Gate Bridge, North Van still feels somehow like a separate place, with its own vibe and character.
Tucked up in the mountains, it's a nature-lover's perfect landing place.
North Van attracts active, outdoorsy families, newcomers seeking a neighbourhood feel, and retirees who prefer quieter areas. For housing, prices are high for detached homes, and there are some modern luxury builds on the market.
The median price for a property in North Vancouver is CA$2.26 million.
The Southlands are ideal if you prefer country life but need to access the big city. This gorgeous part of Vancouver is largely made up of equestrian estates and semi-rural properties. The Southlands attract horse owners, families seeking privacy and larger plots of land, and affluent retirees. Housing includes large, acreage-style homes and extremely high land value.
The median price for a property in the Southlands is CA$2.23 million.
Before you fall in love with a tree-lined street or ocean view, take a step back and look at the practical side of living in one of Vancouver’s most exclusive suburbs. Take into account the following:
If you are considering Vancouver as a place to live, the first thing you should do is research the cost of living in this globally sought-after city. If you’ve done your research and decided to move, let Wise Move do the hard stuff. As your go-to moving service provider to book the best Vancouver moving teams to handle your ultra-specific moving requests, Wise Move is set up to make moving day as hassle-free as possible.