Are you looking to buy a home in a suburb outside of Vancouver? There are many great areas to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics. Here is a list of some of the best suburbs outside of Vancouver to consider. Regardless of what type of homes for sale in Vancouver you’re looking for, you will be sure to find a suburb that fits your needs!
Langley
Langley City is about 35 miles or 49 minutes from Vancouver and is just east of Surrey. This suburb has experienced exponential growth with a population of about 29,000 people but doesn’t feel overcrowded since much of the land is used for farming. In fact, what makes Langley so special is that, to some degree, it’s almost guaranteed to maintain a rural lifestyle because most of the Langley Township land is part of the Agricultural Land Reserve, which restricts how the land can be developed or used.
Many of the neighbourhoods are historic, and the streets are lined with mature trees that make you feel like you’re in a storybook. Like any outer suburb of a major city, Langley homes for sale are relatively less expensive than Vancouver. Single-detached homes make up nearly half of the real estate market and average $2.2M, townhomes are around 24% of the listings and sell for around $899K, and condos make up about 29% of the homes for sale in Langley and average about 570K.
Families are attracted to Langley for its laid-back lifestyle, but with all the amenities you’d need close by. It’s also not too far away to make a day trip to Vancouver whenever they want either. While much of Langley is rural, the downtown area offers many box stores, and the convention centre provides several indoor sports, like ice skating, hockey, basketball, and swimming pools. One of the top schools in the area is Langley Fundamental Middle & Secondary School, which offers education for students in 6-12 grades and is located near the Brookswood neighbourhood.
Fraser Hwy runs right through the middle of Langley and Hwy 10 curves around the city. TransLink operates the regional transportation network of Metro Vancouver in Langley. There are several bus routes and smaller community shuttles that serve the city. The Langley Memorial Hospital is located near Langley Township, which is southeast of the city and offers acute care and a level IV trauma centre.
Gibsons
Gibsons, BC, is a quiet fishing community about 29 miles from Vancouver on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast with a population of only 4,900 people. Resting on a hillside, Gibsons overlooks the harbour and the islands in Howe Sound. People enjoy the quality of life offered by Gibsons so much so that it was named “Most Livable Community under 20,000” back in 2009.
Gibson’s also boasts the best drinking water as it won the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting contest in 2005. The air is fresh, life is gentle, and Gibsons attract those looking to retire and those wanting a simpler and more sustainable lifestyle.
Most homes for sale in Gibsons were built during the 1960s to early 2000s. Single-detached homes dominate the market. They primarily consist of 2-3 bedrooms and typically sell for around $1.2M. Condos are also sought after, with a selling average of $1.3M. There are a few townhomes that can be found for around $648K.
Though this city is only 29 miles from Vancouver, it is not accessible by vehicle. Locals travel to and from Gibsons by ferry through West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay terminal, float plains, or in and out of Sechelt Airport. The closest major hospital is Squamish General Hospital, about two hours away via ferry and vehicle. Elphinstone Secondary School is a highly-rated school in District 46, located northwest of the city centre, and offers education for students in grades 8-12.
Surrey
Surrey, BC, is about 24 miles east of Vancouver and south of the Fraser River. It has a growing population of over 520,000 people and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. It’s a sought-after area for families or those who enjoy the outdoors with its variety of community resources, outdoor recreation activities, and educational opportunities. Surrey has over 6,000 acres of green space and has dubbed itself as the City of Parks with over 200 parks throughout the city.
Surrey has been experiencing significant housing growth since the 1960s. It slowed down a little in the early 2000s, but the city has continued to grow. The city of Surrey is big, and the homes here are large too. The bulk of the homes in Surrey have four bedrooms, but two and three-bedroom homes are common too. About 30% of the homes for sale in Surrey, BC are single-family homes that sell for around $2.1M. There are several condos and townhomes for sale in Surrey too. Condos average $550K and townhomes go for about $900K.
Since Surrey is spread out, the main form of transportation in Surrey is by vehicle. The main thoroughfares in Surrey are the Fraser Hwy that runs diagonally, King George Blvd and Hwy 15 which both run north to south and Hwy 1 in the northeast of the city. There are also several public transit options for the residents of Surrey, including buses, community shuttles, HandyDARTs, and the SkyTrain. There are two major hospitals in this city: the Surrey Memorial Hospital on the north side and the Peace Arch Hospital on the south side. Surrey’s top-rated school, Southridge Secondary, is located on the south side of the city, near Morgan Heights, and serves students in grades K-12.
Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge, BC, is just over 30 miles east of Vancouver, with a population of around 85,000, and rests on the northern banks of the Fraser River near Golden Ears Mountain. This peaceful city takes pride in its pioneer history and First Nations heritage by preserving historical buildings. Maple Ridge residents get to experience all the modern conveniences while enjoying magnificent views of nature. For those wanting a calmer life while still being relatively close to the big city, come to Maple Ridge to live a relaxed lifestyle.
Most of the homes for sale in Maple Ridge were constructed from the 1960s to the early 2000s, though there has been some construction since. The vast majority of homes in Maple Ridge are single-detached homes, with three to four bedrooms, which average about $1.7M. There are a few townhomes and condos sprinkled throughout the city. Townhomes go for about $899K, and condos sell for around $577K.
The best way to get around Maple Ridge is by vehicle, and the main artery is Hwy 7, which runs along the edge of the Fraser River. Those travelling in and out of the city can commute in several different ways, including bus, train, or ferry. Ridge Meadows Hospital offers care to the residents and is in the heart of the city centre. The area’s top-rated school is Meadowridge School, located between Maple Ridge and Websters Corners, and offers education to students in grades PK-12.
Pitt Meadows
Pitt Meadows, BC, is situated along the Fraser and Pitt Rivers and is about 24 miles to the east of Vancouver. The small city has a population of over 18,000 people and allows its residents to have an ideal balance between work and life with amenities close but with stunning mountain views and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities along the rivers. Residents of Pitt Meadows value the quality of life, culture, and markets that help the local economy.
Like most cities along the Fraser River, most of Pitt Meadows real estate was established between the 1960s and 2000s. There was also another boom in construction during the late 2000s. Most homes for sale in Pitt Meadows have three bedrooms, though there is a healthy mix of two and four-bedroom homes as well. Though most of the homes on Pitt Meadows market are single-detached homes, you will still find a lot of condos and townhomes available too. Single-detached homes average around $1.8M, townhomes can be found for about $810K, and condos around $599K.
Infrastructure is a priority in Pitt Meadows. The city offers several ways to get about the city. The automobile is the number one way to get around, but locals can also take the bus, train, and sky train. Pitt Meadows also values exercise and offers routes to encourage commuting by walking or bike riding. There is a New Pitt Meadows Medical Clinic in the city, but those needing emergency or extra care will have to travel outside the city. The closest hospital is Ridge Meadows Hospital, which is only a 10-min drive from Pitt Meadows centre. Pitt Meadows Secondary School is located in the Central Meadows Neighbourhood and serves students in grades 8-12.
