West End, BC
Guide de location
Cozy & quiet apartment community downtown
About
Like Vancouver as a whole, the West End neighbourhood is the perfect blend of urban excitement and natural beauty. Nestled between Downtown and Stanley Park, the West End boasts everything from the Seawall to some of the best restaurants in the whole city, all within a quiet, tree-lined community that’s quiet and safe. The West End is also one of the most inclusive, welcoming communities in Vancouver. If older and larger apartments are on your radar, then put the West End on your list of Vancouver neighbourhoods to target for your search.
Who lives here: The West End is one of the most diverse areas of the city. There are a number of ages, cultures, and ethnicities represented. Locals range all the way from students to seniors. There’s also a large LGBTQ+ community, especially in Davie Village. What West Enders share, though, is a love of balance. Residents want to be close to downtown Vancouver, but also to get breaks from it. There’s also a love of all things cool, artsy, and interesting, which is good because there’s plenty of that in the neighbourhood!
Perfect for: Anyone torn between living in the heart of a big city and running away to live in a forest.
Not-so-perfect for: Wannabe suburbanites.
Rental Options
The Market
Avg. rent by housing size
Bach/studio: $2,060
1-bedroom: $2,338
2-bedroom: $3,025
3-bedroom: $5,844
Avg. rent compared to other Canadian cities
West End is 81% higher than the Canadian average
West End Rental Market: There are a lot of West end Vancouver rentals and condo options. That said, this community is full of older properties, but that doesn’t mean they come at a discount. West End apartments for rent have high prices, due to it being such an in-demand place to live. Expect to pay a hefty price, or be prepared to share a unit with roommates. If you can get into the neighbourhood though, you’ll be happy you did! If you need something bigger, it’s worth doing the tough hunt for a three-bedroom unit or even a part of a house. These are less plentiful, but there are some that pop up from time to time
Apartment Hunting in West End:
If you’re hunting for West End apartments for rent in Vancouver, size really does matter. That’s because larger apartments are much, much more expensive and difficult to find. Your best bet is to stick around a one-bedroom if you’re looking for a deal. Condos in West End are more stable in price across the board, but there are few large options available. You’ll be mostly looking at one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms. You may have a tough time finding West End houses for rent, but you’ll have no problem with amenities. There are a good number of spots with pools, gyms, in-suite laundry, and more.
Typical housing type: High-rises.
Life & Style
Life in the West End really in the best of almost everything. You want a nice meal out at the hottest place? You’ve got it. Want to stroll the Seawall? No problem! Want to show friends around the touristy spots? You can do that too! Shopping, dining, enjoying nature, partying, even having a quiet night in are all easy in the West End. You never have to plan much because there’s always something to do here.
Neighbourhood
Natural spaces abound in and around the West End. There’s the Seawall to the north and south, and Stanley Park to the west. English Bay beach forms the southern border of the West End, and at the end of the beach is the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. Burrard Street – on the edge of West End – is the spot for hotels, chain restaurants, and movie theatres. A little farther east you can find Robson Square with its ice rink and several theatres. Robson Street has more chain and some indie places, including cafes, restaurants, and stores. Denman and Davie are the main streets for day-to-day needs. You’ll find grocery stores, a community centre, a pharmacy, a medical centre, and more. In the heart of the West End you’ll find Roedde House Museum and Gordon Neighbourhood House.
Land Mark
Inukshuk
English Bay
The Seawall
Roedde House Museum
Stanley Park
Vancouver Aquatic Centre
St. Paul’s Hospital
Fun Fact
The West End is a politically and socially active neighbourhood. There are all kinds of community engagement organizations. If you are a socially engaged person, join one of the many options and help make West End – and Vancouver – a better place!