Grandview-Woodland, BC
Guide de location
Welcome to The Drive
About
Want to know the fastest way to seem like an outsider in Grandview-Woodland? Call it “Grandview-Woodland”. Locally, everyone calls it “Commercial Drive”, referring to the street as “The Drive”. Confused yet? Don’t worry, locals are welcoming and will be happy to explain it to you with a friendly smile. That’s because residents here care. They look after each other and fight for their community. On top of that, they support the area’s many small businesses and work hard to keep social supports in place. If you’re looking for that small-town vibe in the big city, this is the place to get it!
Rental Options
The market, at a glance
Avg. rent by housing size
Bach/studio: $1,510
1-bedroom: $1,888
2-bedroom: $2,724
3-bedroom: $N/A
Avg. rent compared to other Canadian cities
Grandview-Woodland is 29% higher than the Canadian average
Grandview-Woodland Rental Market: The housing market in Grandview-Woodland used to be darn near the most affordable in the city. That’s changing now, but still not at the same pace as the rest of Vancouver. Because of that and the supportive housing and co-ops in the area, Grandview-Woodland is a great place to consider if you can’t afford neighbourhoods like Downtown and the West End. Just know you’re probably going to be looking at Grandview-Woodland houses for rent, either part or all of a house instead of an Grandview-Woodland apartment for rent or condo in a high-rise building.
Apartment Hunting in Grandview-Woodland: Looking for Grandview-Woodland apartments for rent can be a complex process. You’ve got coops, supportive housing, and private units. Some of the private units are online on rental sites, others may just be advertised with a sign or in a paper. Because of this, you’ve got to know what type of housing you want and then go looking for it in the right places. One-bedrooms and two-bedrooms are easy to find, but once you’re into three-bedrooms and above, you’re looking at whole houses, which are tougher to find. No matter the size of the unit, don’t expect a ton of amenities as the places here are mostly older homes.
Typical housing type: Single-family houses.
Life & Style
Family and community are big in Grandview-Woodland. Locals here enjoy a slower pace of life. They want to spend time playing with their kids, chatting in small stores, or sipping a good cappuccino. Of course, work, school, and other responsibilities draw attention away. But residents of the neighbourhood know when to put their work down and get back to their real focus: enjoying life! Commercial Drive used to be known as the Italian hub of the city, and while the street still hosts the annual Italian Day on The Drive festival, most of the quintessential Italian businesses and residents have left – although a few still remain.
Neighbourhood
Grandview-Woodland is bordered on the north by the water. Close-by are plenty of fast food joints and many of Vancouver’s biggest breweries. Schools and churches are sprinkled throughout the neighbourhood. There are also plenty of parks to enjoy. Don’t forget to visit Mellish House on the east side of the neighbourhood. For shopping and dining, head to the highlight of the area, Commercial Drive. Just south of the neighbourhood are the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station, as well as Trout Lake and the Trout Lake Community Centre. Just west of Grandview-Woodland, you can find Vancouver Community College.
Who lives here: Grandview-Woodland is one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the city. There are strong Chinese and Native communities in the area. Families are drawn to Grandview-Woodland because it’s warm, welcoming, affordable by Vancouver standards – and it’s got plenty of coffee! With its many cool boutiques, organic food spots, and chic cafes, the neighbourhood has become a haven for artists and veggie and vegan types.
Perfect for: Anyone looking for a more affordable part of the city to live.
Not-so-perfect for: Corporate ladder climbers who love their steak and joke about putting bacon on everything.
Land Mark
Commercial Drive
York Theatre
Mellish House
Parallel 49 Brewing Company
Andina Brewing Company
East Vancouver Brewing Company
Bomber Brewing
Callister Brewing Co
The Cultch Theatre
Fun Fact
This neighbourhood is in the middle of being gentrified, so expect the area – and rents – to change fast. If you think this might be the place for you, start hunting for a rental now. Then when you find a unit you like, pounce on it before it’s gone!