A lot of people assume that Vancouver is meant for a small sliver of people. There’s this idea that you have to be laid-back and outdoorsy and love rain. That just isn’t the case. Vancouver is a big city, and its suburb of Richmond is a city where anyone, no matter who you are or what kind of life you live, can get along and thrive. It takes a village to raise a village, and you’ll find that Richmond can support anyone and everyone, from the Vancouver stereotypes to the fresh up-and-comers looking to live the way they want in Canada’s most scenic corner. Those searching for homes for sale in British Columbia would do well to look into Richmond, BC and forge their own path in the Vancouver area.
More About Richmond, BC
Located just southwest of Vancouver on an island in the Fraser River, Richmond, BC is the westernmost city of the Vancouver area and has a population of 217,000. It has a remarkable relationship with the ocean, being right on the water, and it has a proud heritage of seafaring and fishing that played a crucial role in Richmond’s past. In recent decades Richmond has taken on the reputation of a gateway to Canada, serving as the first home of many first generation Canadians arriving from all corners of the globe. Equal parts bustling city and quiet suburb, Richmond has the potential to provide the means for just about any lifestyle you want to live.
Richmond, BC Real Estate
People look for homes for sale in Richmond, BC just as avidly as they do in the rest of the Vancouver area. Following national real estate trends, the Richmond housing market has risen in the swell of increased home values that have made homeowners happy and homebuyers eager to get into the market as soon as possible. You’ll find that most single family homes for sale in Richmond, BC list for around 1-1.5 million dollars, with an average sold price of 1.2 million. That’s a 22% increase year over year, which is not nearly as spectacular as other housing markets in Canada, but more reflective of a stable market reacting healthily to nationwide trends.
Those looking for homes for sale in Richmond, BC know what they’re getting into. Once you have a house here, you won’t be riding a roller coaster of appreciation and depreciation over the next ten years. Instead, you can count on Richmond’s position close to one of Canada’s top cities to float your home’s value and keep it appreciating at a gradual healthy pace for years on end.
The homes for sale in Richmond have been standing for quite a long time. Most single family homes were built between the 60s and the 2000s, meaning that nearly all the neighbourhoods in Richmond have grown up and matured already. You can find massive luxury homes for sale with a good amount of land to boot in the 3-4 million range and modest condos for sale within the 400k-700k range. There are plenty of housing options in Richmond, BC.
Whereas just about every urban housing market in Canada is described as ‘red-hot’ ‘searing’ or some other fiery adjective, Richmond, BC is relatively modest. Homes for sale stay on the market for an average of 24 days, the housing market is balanced with single family homes making up about a third of all housing, and nearly 75% of Richmond, BC residents own their homes. In a nationwide real estate market caught in an exciting bonanza of buying and selling, Richmond, BC is a calming breath of fresh air.
Richmond, BC Average Property Prices
- Average detached house price: $1,022,000
- Average condo price: $695,00
Richmond, BC Neighbourhoods
Steveston
Steveston is a quintessential Richmond neighbourhood. It looks more like a maritime province seaside town than anything you might expect to see in British Columbia. For those looking to live around the old-time culture of Richmond, BC, Steveston is the place for you. With a fun waterfront downtown and plenty of residential housing within walking distance, life in Steveston can be as nice as anywhere else in the Vancouver area.
Golden Village
If shopping till you drop is important to you, Golden Village will be your own personal paradise. This part of Richmond, BC is known for its major shopping malls and centres. Golden Village is full of large two storey single family homes with tall hedgerows that provide a unique amount of privacy for such a big city.
Brighouse
Brighouse is for those who want to live that downtown urban life in Richmond, BC. You’ll be right in the heart of the city amidst high rise condos and all the big-city shopping opportunities you can hope for. Life is faster here, and with the skytrain running right through downtown it’s easy to ride the rails over to Vancouver whenever you want.
FAQs about Richmond, BC
What’s The Best Area To Live In Richmond, BC?
- Best urban neighbourhood: Northeast Richmond
- Best suburban neighbourhood: Northwest Richmond
- Best luxury neighbourhood: Sunnymeade North
- Best neighbourhoods for schools: Mclennan
- Best neighbourhood for commuting: East Cambie
What is the postal code for Richmond, BC?
- Richmond – V7B
- Richmond Central – V6Y
- Richmond North – V6X
- Richmond Northeast – V6V
- Richmond South – V7A
- Richmond Southeast – V6W
- Richmond Southwest – V7E
- Richmond West – V7C
Where is the nearest commercial airport in Richmond, BC?
Vancouver International Airport is a mere 6.4 km away
Schools in Richmond, BC
With ten secondary schools and close to fifty elementary schools to choose from, education is easy and flexible in Richmond, BC. The schools here are overseen by School District No. 38 which also maintains three Montessori schools and eight French immersion schools. Richmond, BC offers paths for almost every conceivable form of education and even has two International Baccalaureate programs with Hugh Boyd Secondary School and Richmond Secondary School. Here’s a brief look at some of the best schools in Richmond.
St. Paul School (independent)
8251 St. Albans Road, Richmond, BC
R.C. Talmey Elementary
9500 Kilby Dr, Richmond BC
Spul’u’kwuks Elementary
5999 Blanshard Dr, Richmond BC
McMath Secondary School (bilingual)
4251 Garry St Richmond, BC
Jobs in Richmond, BC
Richmond, BC has a strong economy. The workforce is by and large allocated into many small-to-midsize companies of 5-30 employees. There’s no one major employer in the area and unemployment is low at around 5%. The largest economic forces in Richmond, BC are the sales, finance, and management sectors, which have roughly equal shares of the workforce. In addition to these common fields, Richmond supports several high-tech companies like Norsat and Sierra Wireless, as well as several airlines thanks to nearby Vancouver International Airport.
Transportation in Richmond, BC
The majority of Richmond residents get around via car. That being said, plenty of people take advantage of the public transportation system and use the SkyTrain and TransLink bus system to head into Vancouver and get around town in general. Always bear in mind that Richmond is on an island, so wherever you go you’ll be taking a bridge or a ferry to get there. Richmond residents do have one big plus, they’re very close to the airport, making international travel a breeze.
Distances to Nearby Cities
15.4 km to Vancouver, BC
79.4 km to Abbotsford, BC
104 km to Victoria, BC (via ferry)
218 km to Seattle, WA
Things to do in Richmond, BC
- Richmond Olympic Oval – Anyone born before 2000 probably remembers the excitement surrounding the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Well, Richmonders live around the memory of that great event every day. You can visit the Olympic Oval and use many of the same sports complexes that the city built during the Olympic Games.
- Steveston Salmon Festival – Held every year on Canada Day, head down to south Richmond to get a taste of this unique community event. Featuring a parade and mouthwatering barbecued salmon bonanza at the Steveston Community Centre, you’ll be looking forward to the first day of July all year long.
- Richmond Sockeyes – The Richmond Sockeyes are your local ice hockey team. A junior ‘b’ level team, the Sockeyes have been playing the game for close to fifty years now and are a mainstay of Richmond, BC pride. Come out for a game and support your community team as they play Canada’s favourite sport.
- Richmond Maritime Festival – Richmond, BC can point back to a proud tradition of residents making their life on the high seas. Head over to the Britannia Shipyard and get in touch with Richmond’s seafaring past as well as its present.
- Richmond Night Market – This one is a local favourite. Held during the summer on the weekends, the Night Market is a time and place where Richmonders from all over the city can come together and enjoy locally-produced food, arts, and crafts.
- Go Whale Watching – If you live in Richmond, BC you live right on the ocean. Richmonders have the opportunity to head out on a guided boat tour and get a glimpse of the majestic sea mammals that frequent the Strait of Georgia. Keep your eyes peeled on the water and you’ll be sure to see a white whale breach the ocean surface and come crashing down in thunderous spray!
- Walk Along the Dykes – Being on an island is tough for a city. Faced with the threat of flooding, Richmond, BC has constructed a series of dykes to protect itself against rising water. These dykes are great places for fishing or for taking a stroll, and the nearby parkland offers plenty of pleasures of its own.
- London Heritage Farm – Overlooking the Fraser River, this antique farmhouse offers Richmond residents a glimpse into what life was like many, many yesteryears ago. Each room is restored and features interesting exhibits on pioneer life, and they even serve tea!
- Fraser River Sternwheelers – If you really want to get into that turn-of-the-century vibe in Richmond, BC you must take a river cruise on a replica steamboat up the Fraser River. Great for a day trip in the summer, relax to the meditative rhythm of a big wheel pushing you against the current along British Columbia’s most travelled river.
- Richmond Dumpling Trail – Thanks to Richmond’s Chinese-Canadian heritage, you can get some of the best dumplings in North America just a block down the street. Visit any of the more than twenty restaurants (Empire Seafood, Dynasty Dumplings, etc) in Richmond, BC that have earned their reputations as Dumpling Masters.
