The beautiful city of New Westminster is located on the north bank of the Fraser River in southern British Columbia and is considered an eastern Vancouver suburb. Known for its rich history and plentiful heritage sites, lovely parks and pathways, accessible amenities, and solid school district, the area attracts numerous families looking for their first home or upgrading to a larger dwelling. Young professionals are also drawn to the New West’s affordable housing options, vibrant cultural scene, diverse job market, unique attractions, and urban downtown atmosphere. If you want to buy homes for sale in British Columbia, let’s take a closer look at New Westminster and what makes it special.
New Westminster, BC, Real Estate Market
The New Westminster real estate market is one of the most dynamic in British Columbia and Canada. Between November 2020 and January 2021, sales of new houses in New West increased by 40.2%.
According to Zolo, the city also ranked third within the Great Vancouver Area in terms of quickest selling homes, with most properties remaining on the market for about 21 days. A dwelling in New Westminster will set you back for an average of $875K, which is less than Metro Vancouver’s average property price of $1.2M.
The most popular dwelling type in New Westminster are condos (68%). The city has plenty of units available for sale and rent in both low and high-rise condominium buildings and towers. Most condos in town have a modern feel to them that highly appeals to young professionals who want their living space to reflect their career and lifestyle. Some of the listings of condos for sale in New Westminster show expansive amenity packages and outstanding views of the Fraser River.
For those moving to the city with family (or simply in need of more space) suburbs like Brow of the Hill or Queensborough boast some of the best homes for sale in Westminster. There are several kinds of detached residences spread in the town’s outskirts, from the traditional 2-bed house to the upscale mansion-like property with average prices over $1.7M. As expected, the price tag rises if the dwelling is on the riverfront.
New Westminster hasn’t seen a construction boom in any specific decade. New houses were built at various times throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. For guidance on anything real estate or for a smooth homebuying process in the city, make sure to reach out to a New Westminster real estate agent.
New Westminster Average Property Prices
- Average detached house price:$1.7M
- Average condo price: $632K
- Average townhouse price: $1M
New Westminster Neighbourhoods
New Westminster is divided into two distinctive areas, the west region and the eastern region. Both parts boast several neighbourhoods, each with its distinctive character and culture. Let’s dig deeper into three of the city’s trendier areas:
- Queensborough: Primarily rural and industrial, the diverse neighbourhood of Queensborough (or ‘Boro’, as locals referred to it) is located to the northeast of Lulu Island and connected to New West by Queensborough Bridge. This community has seen several housing initiatives throughout the years, so a number of townhomes, condos, and detached single-family homes are available for purchase. A lot of dwellings here have desirable riverfront views. Boro has great schooling options, accessible amenities, stunning green spaces, and it’s a popular shopping and dining destination for Lower Mainland residents.
- Sapperton: Sapperton is a family-friendly neighbourhood located on New Westminster’s east side. Close to several parks and outdoor spaces and with a strong sense of community, Sapperton residents enjoy a simple, suburban lifestyle with access to several recreational and leisure activities and a number of well-ranked schools for students of all grade levels. Whether you decide to purchase a modern condo in the Brewery District or move to a renovated detached house in historic Sapperton, there’s no better place in New West to put down roots.
- Queens Park: Quiet and beautifully preserved, the distinguished Queens Park neighbourhood has a premium location minutes away from both the city’s downtown and the famous shopping districts of Uptown. The neighbourhood boasts a wide range of restaurants, shopping centres, services, and amenities within walking distance. Queens Park, located east of the district, is the primary source of recreational opportunities. The housing stock in Queens Park mainly consists of large detached dwellings, many of them dating to the days when New West was B.C.’s capital. The homes for sale in Queens Park are typically renovated and lay on quaint tree-lined streets.
New Westminster, BC Schools
New Westminster’s diverse community of learners trust New Westminster Schools – District 40 for their public educational needs. The city has 16 public schools, including elementary, middle, secondary, and alternate serving children from kindergarten through 12th Grade. French Immersion, Montessori, International Baccalaureate, Homelearners, and Apprenticeships are among the programs provided by the district. New West also offers private education, with high-ranked schools like Urban Academy. For those looking for university degrees and continuing education, New Westminster’s main option is Douglas College. Here is a list of New Westminster public schools:
Elementary Schools
- Connaught Heights Elementary School (K-5) – 2201 London Street, New Westminster BC V3M 3G1
- École Qayqayt Elementary School (K-5) – 85 Merivale Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 0G2
- F.W. Howay Elementary School (K-5) – 91 Courtney Crescent, New Westminster, BC V3L 4M1
- École Herbert Spencer Elementary School (K-5) – 605 Second Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 5R9
- Lord Kelvin Elementary School (K-5) – 1010 Hamilton Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 2M9
- École Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School (K-5) – 1714 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster, B.C. V3M 2S7
- Queen Elizabeth Elementary School (K-4) – 921 Salter Street, New Westminster, BC. V3M 6G8
- Skwowech Elementary School (K-5) – 331 Richmond Street, New Westminster BC V3L 4B7
Middle Schools
- École Glenbrook Middle School (6-8) – 701 Park Crescent, New Westminster, BC V3L 5V4
- Queensborough Middle School (5-8) – 833 Salter Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 6G8
- Fraser River Middle School (6-8) – 800 Queens Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3M 0J2
Secondary School
- New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) – 820 Sixth Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 3S9
New Westminster FAQs
What Is The Postal Code For New Westminster?
- New Westminster Northeast V3L
- New Westminster Southwest V3M
Where Is The Nearest Commercial Airport In New Westminster, BC?
The nearest airport to New Westminster is Vancouver International Airport (YVR), about 30 minutes away by car.
Was New Westminster The Capital Of BC?
New Westminster was British Columbia’s capital from 1859 to 1866. It was also the first incorporated city in the Province (1860).
Living In New Westminster, BC
From its vibrant arts and culture scene to its many parks and beaches, New Westminster is a great place to call home. Here are just a few reasons why living in New West is such a great experience.
- New West is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The city boasts several community parks, off-leash dog areas, trails & greenways, neighbourhood parks, and sports fields.
- With almost 60 heritage sites, New Westminster has been proactive in preserving its history.
- New Westminster got its name from Queen Victoria, who baptised the city in honour of her favourite part of London: Westminster. That’s why New West is commonly referred to as “Royal City”.
- For its convenient access to the river and railroads, New Westminster was chosen as the first capital of the new colony of British Columbia in 1859. Victoria took away the title in 1866.
- The climate in New Westminster is temperate, with comfy and cloudy summers and very cold winters. The average annual temperature of New West is 49°F, and there’s a significant amount of rainfall (92.6 yearly inches).
- A fantastic city for families, New Westminster is walkable, safe, and filled with nurseries, daycare centres, recreational opportunities, and facilities that include a variety of community, cultural, sports, historic, and age-based centres.
- The cultural scene in New Westminster is vibrant, from world-class entertainment venues to unique museums and must-see art exhibitions and galleries.
- The Royal Columbian Hospital is responsible for delivering high-quality health care services to residents of New Westminster.
New Westminster Jobs
For over a century, New Westminster has served as an important economic and transportation centre in western Canada, with a diverse range of industrial sectors (food processing, manufacturing) that have allowed it to weather both economic downturns and difficulties. Healthcare, scientific research, wholesale & retail trade, shipping, and transportation are among the industries that provide most of the employment opportunities in town, along with the high-tech and fibre-optic sectors. New West also encourages and supports new businesses with several resources to help entrepreneurs start, expand or relocate their businesses to the city. Top employers in the area are:
- Fraser Health Authority (Royal Columbian Hospital)
- Port of Vancouver
- South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink)
- Starlight Casino
- Lowe’s Home Improvement
New Westminster Median Household Income
In New Westminster, BC, most households have a yearly income of $73K.
New Westminster Transportation
New Westminster is a fairly pedestrian-friendly city, with many errands easily run on foot. Additionally, New West offers its residents a diversity of transportation means, from SkyTrain to bus travelling and a ferry. Train commuters have five rapid transit stations on the Expo Line at their disposal. At the same time, bus travellers can count on over 20 bus routes to reach any part of the city and even neighbouring municipalities. Bikes are a growing mobility option in New Westminster, with several bikeways and bike rentals. The city is also home to the QtoQ Ferry, a passenger-only ferry service that connects New Westminster’s Downtown with Queensborough. The Vancouver International Airport is the best choice for anyone travelling to or coming from outside New Westminster.
Distance to Major Cities
- 14 Kilometres to Coquitlam, BC
- 21 Kilometres to Vancouver, BC
- 33 Kilometres to Langley, BC
- 114 Kilometres to Victoria, BC
- 213 Kilometres to Seattle, WA
Things To Do In New Westminster British Columbia
- Queens Park – This 75-acre park is a family favourite in New Westminster, offering a wide range of outdoor activities among mature trees and horticultural features. It provides visitors tennis and Pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness circuit, a play area, a spray park, an off-leash dog area, and more. A network of hiking trails effectively connects Queens Park’s amenities.
- Massey Theatre – An institution in British Columbia, Massey Theatre is a premier destination to experience art in any of its performatic forms. This is not only the largest theatre in the province, it is also one of the oldest, which adds an old-world feel to any recital, play, or dance performance you attend here.
- Irving House – Considered the oldest intact residence in BC’s Lower Mainland, Irving House has historical and architectural significance. Operated as a local heritage centre, the house is open for tours so you can see from sculptures to all kinds of Victorian artifacts. Therefore, it is a must-visit location in New Westminster for history buffs.
- Fraser River Discovery Centre- In need of a fun family experience? Fraser River Discovery Centre is a wonderful place for children to learn about Fraser River and enjoy its natural beauty. This family-friendly museum is dedicated to the river’s history and geography with two floors of educational exhibits, resources, and interactive programs.
- Westminster Pier Park- This magnificent, award-winning park successfully connects New West’s residents with the mighty Fraser River. The park features a waterfront boardwalk of 325 metres, an event lawn, a concession stand, green spaces & elevated viewpoints, benches, picnic tables, sports courts, and a recently renovated playground.
- Samson V Museum – This is an actual floating paddle boat turned museum, and you can book a tour at this one-of-a-kind historical place. The Samson V, launched in 1937, is the last remaining wooden steam-powered sternwheeler built for the federal Department of Public Works to be used as a snag-boat on the Fraser River.
- Hume Park – Hume Park is one of the best spots to enjoy the outdoors in New Westminster. Whether you’re looking for a modern kid’s play area, the perfect spot for a family picnic, forest-filled walking trails, tennis courts for a match with your friends, an outdoor pool, or simply an off-leash dog area to take your furry pal, this park has it all.
- Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre – Dedicated to preserving and sharing Japanese culture and Japanese Canadian heritage, this museum displays around 2,600 objects, 41,000 photographs, and hundreds of culturally significant recordings and film reels. Events like family days, Japanese festivals, manga sales, and a Farmers Market are other museum highlights.
- Sapperton Park – Established in 1907, this traditional New Westminster park has all the amenities needed for a family outing, a romantic picnic, or some sports practice with a group of friends. Some amenities include shaded picnic tables and benches, soccer and softball fields, and a children’s playground and spray park.
- The Museum of the Royal Westminster Regiment Historical Society – The Museum of the Royal Westminster Regiment chronicles the history of civilian combatants in British Columbia and Westminster County, dating back to the early days of the Province. Visitors can see weapons, headgear, uniforms, medals, war-themed art, documents, and photographs. World War I and II relics are included in the collection.
