A long time West Ender I have owned and invested in property in this fabulous neighbourhood for over 20 years, My search for my first property in the late 1980's brought me into the business and I never left! It is a joy to be an ambassador for one of the world's most beautiful cities as I go about my business in this sought after "village: within a city visited by tourists and business people from around the world!
They say not many people are born in Vancouver as so many found it. Many have visited and never left! There is a hypnotic air about the West End that keeps people coming back.
The cominbination of location (number one factor in real estate selection and valuation), convenience, natural beauty and diversity. Bordered by Geeorgia street, Coal Harbour and Burrard Inlet to the north, Burrard street and downtown (including Yaletown) to the east, Beach Avenue, Sunset Beach and English Bay to the south and almost 1000 acres of world famous Stanley Park to the west the area of approximately 10 square blocks can easily be covered on foot.
Adjacent to the downtown business centre, the arts, entertainment, sports and cultural zone and with the designer shops of Robson street part of the local colour residents can access any acitivities, supplies or serviices in minutes. The neighbourhood encompasses several schools, a community centre, publlic library, aquatic centre, skating rink, hotels, major grocery and speciality stores, pharmacies, several parks, a major hospital, lawn bowling and tennis with a pttich and putt golf course located in Stanley Park. Several marinas are just a stroll along the waterfront and a plethora of fabullous restaurants will offer a smorgasborg of international cuisine.
These are just some of the reasons the demograpahics of the area cover a greater area than any other. Young and old, singles, couples, retirees, tourists and those of almost all ethinic and religous backgrounds, live, work, study and play in this welcoming neighbourhood. You will hear many languages spoken by those of all socio-economic backgrounds.
As mentioned earlier, Robson street is home to many designer shops, hotels and popular restaurants, Denman Street offers an eclectic mix of shops restaurants and services as it wends it's way south from Coal Harbour to English Bay, the awesome setting for the annual Celebration of Light fireworks competition in late July and Davie Street with a further supply of shops and services and home to Davie Village an area of shops, bars and restaurants frequented by the local and visiting gay and lesbian communities. Vancouver is home to a large gay pride festival including a colourful parade on the August long weekend. Many festivals and events are held throughout the year in the West End including charitable fund raising walks, runs, regattas and more. Another event is the Vancouver Marathon and our professional league sports teams
compete in nearby B.C. Place a legacy of Expo 86 and GM Place both of which will see much action when we host the 2010 Olympic and Para-Olympic Games.
With all of this activity you may think the West End is too busy, too noisy. True there are busy streets, but just tucked in behind a block or two away are hundreds of condomiums and rental apartments with a few remaining character homes and bed and breakfasts sprinkled in for good measure. The streets are broad and treelined, grassy boulevards front gorgeous gardens and residents go about their lives in relative solitude with the comforting thought they may just run up the street and acquire what they need in minutes. Beleive me it is a pretty luxurious llifestyle on any budget.
While not a fairy tale or a panacea as llife in any neighbourhood is not without it's warts, the backdrop of the soaring mountains and the lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean make many forget their cares. After all, they are fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful and liveable ciities n the world. We truly do live n that postcard sent round the world!
I am so fortunate to live and work here assisting buyers and sellers in acquiiring those very properites in those fabulous postacards for their principal residences, vacation or retirement homes, iinvestment properties and more.
In addition to enjoying life in a unique neighbourhood in a sizeable port city, I have ipersonally invested in area condos as part of a financial plan and ultimately a retirement program. Would I leave this magical place? That's a hard one! I love to travel and enjoy new people, places and lifestyles but my heart will always be just a stone's throw away from beautiful English Bay and Stanley Park in amazing Vancouver!!