Downtown, BC
Guide de location
In the heart of the city
About
Downtown is really the heart of Vancouver. The neighbourhood boasts some of the biggest sub-neighbourhoods in the city, including Gastown and Yaletown. Of course, the neighbourhood has that big city hustle-and-bustle. Everyone is rushing around from their high-rise condos to their high-rise offices and back again. In between, they manage to fit in some fun, which is easy when all the city’s hotspots are at your doorstep!
Who lives here: Because Downtown is so expensive, professionals are just about the only ones who can afford to live here. Condos and apartments here tend to be filled with young singles and newly minted couples embarking on the next chapter of their life together. The neighbourhood draws “work hard, play hard” types who don’t mind sacrificing some sleep for a chance to climb the corporate ladder, while hitting all the cool events, parties, and hotspots in the city. Who needs rest when you can run on coffee and adrenaline?
Perfect for: Professionals with money in the bank.
Rental Options
The Market
Avg. rent by housing size
Bach/studio: $2036
1-bedroom: $2,563
2-bedroom: $3,625
3-bedroom: $5,745
Avg. rent compared to other Canadian cities
Downtown Vancouver is 92% higher than the Canadian average
Downtown Rental Market: Downtown Vancouver apartments for rent are absolutely beautiful. The condos tend to be small, but they’re chic, modern, and boast amazing views of the water and the mountains! The problem? Prices for Downtown apartments for rent are as sky-high as the apartment and condo towers. That said, you can find almost anything downtown, from simple studios to refurbished industrial lofts, to designer-furnished luxury penthouse suites for rent.
Apartment Hunting in Downtown: Apartment hunting in Downtown is fun – if you’ve got the cash to support it. In that case, you’ll just be making a list of your favourite things and finding which apartment or condo has them. You’ll be able to find all the amenities from gorg pools to high-end gyms to in-suite laundry and dishwashers. And let’s not even talk about the views from the large balconies! Some condos offer larger units too. They’ve got the studios and one-bedrooms, but they’ve also got two-bedrooms, three-bedrooms, or even whole floors. Price tags can range from $1,500 per month, to $10,000 and up. Think you’ve found gem? Plan to never, ever, ever move again!
Typical housing type:
Condos and high rise apartment buildings.
Life & Style
Life in Downtown is go, go, go. There’s always something happening. During the day, there are tons of stores, restaurants, and interesting sites to check out. Plus there are cool daytime festivals and events going on throughout the year. The style here is decidedly business and designer everything, with the West Coast effect means Lululemon gear is acceptable too. In Downtown, you’re central enough to check out anything super interesting during lunch time or between meetings. When Downtowners really hit the streets, though, is outside 9-5. In the evenings, they hit the best dining and nightlife spots before taking the short walk home to crash. Weekends are about checking out festivals or events, kicking back, or going on an epic adventure. Basically, if you’ve always imagined yourself starring in Sex in the City or Entourage, this is where you can make those fantasies come to life!
Neighbourhood
Downtown Vancouver has a huge number of the city’s landmarks, including the famous Gastown Steam Clock. There is waterfront to the north and south, but the south has more parks and other green spaces. You have no shortage of public transit stations or arterial roads in the area, making it easy to travel to other parts of the city. The south part of Downtown is pretty family-friendly, with schools, grocery stores, and the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre. There are also plenty of cafes, bakeries, and grocery stores, restaurants and shops around downtown. The centre and east side of the neighbourhood are more entertainment-based. There are theatres, art galleries, BC Place, a movie theatre, and Science World. The centre area also boasts the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library. Gastown occupies the north of Downtown, and Yaletown is in the south. For shopping, check out Robson Street and Pacific Centre.
Land Mark
Gastown
Gastown Vancouver Steam Clock
Yaletown
Robson Square
Canada Place
David Lam Park
Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre
Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver Public Library
BC Place
Rogers Arena
Fun Fact
One thing to remember about living Downtown is the number of tourists coming through. They are always passing by, especially in the summer months. This is perfect if you run a shop or thrive on the anonymous hustle-and-bustle of urban life. But it’s not the best if you want that neighbourhood feel where people around the area get to know you.