Kitsilano Neighbourhood Overview:
Yaletown may have a lock on “Most Likely to Succeed,” but Kitsilano is a serious competitor for Vancouver’s “Most Popular” neighbourhood. Even if you don’t live in Kits—as it’s called locally—you go to Kits. You go to Kits Beach, to Kits Pool, to the museums in Vanier Park, to West 4th Ave to shop and eat. If you’re lucky enough to live in Kits, you get to enjoy all this—plus the fabulous location bonus of being minutes from downtown or UBC—all within an easy distance of your front door.
Named for Khatsahlanough, a Squamish Nation chief, Kitsilano's storied past includes being a hippie and counterculture haven in the 1960’s and 70’s and the home of both Greenpeace, founded in 1975, and the BC Green Party, founded in 1983.
Today’s Kits is a combination of the eco- and hippie-spirit of its past and 21st century gentrification, emblematized in the neighbourhood’s organic markets, multicultural restaurants, and shops like Lululemon, Vancouver’s famous yoga-wear chain, which opened its first store here in 1998.
Kitsilano Boundaries:
Kitsilano is situated along the coast of English Bay. It’s bordered by Alma St. to the west, Burrard St. to the east, and 16th Ave to the south.
Kitsilano People:
From celebrities to students, Kits residents come in all shapes, sizes and income brackets. The majority may be young professionals, but the neighbourhood has a greater-than-average number of over-65ers, too.
If there’s one thing Kits people have in common, it’s a love of the outdoors, whether it’s continuing the area’s tradition of eco-awareness or just enjoying biking, hiking and walking the scenic streets, beaches and parks.
Kitsilano Apartments and Real Estate:
Although there are detached, single-family houses in Kits, the vast majority—89%--of residences are apartments. These apartments include low-rise condo and apartment buildings, as well as apartment suites within larger houses. Townhomes and duplexes are also common.
Costs for renting in Kits vary widely, depending on location (waterfront is pricey), type of apartment (basement suites can be cheaper), and whether or not you want a view.
Buying in Kits is less expensive than downtown, if you’re looking for apartments. But for semi-detached or detached homes, $1.2 million is the average.
- To Rent: Bachelor Suite/1-Bedroom, $800-$2,000+. 2-Bedroom $1,200-$2,500+. Larger than 2-Bedroom, $1,800-$3,000+.
- To Buy: Bachelor Suite/1-Bedroom, $325,000-$700,000+. 2-Bedroom, $390,000- $1.5M. Larger than 2-Bedroom, $650,000-$2M+.
Kitsilano Restaurants and Shopping:
Kits restaurants rival downtown Vancouver’s for variety and popularity. West 4th Avenue favorites include the fine-dining Fuel, the burger-and-pizza Hell’s Kitchen, the Mexican Las Margaritas, and the vegetarian Naam. On West Broadway, there’s the Malaysian Banana Leaf and the Indian Chai. For beach goers, there’s the fancy Watermark, right on Kits beach, or the tacos-and-cervesa-on-the-patio Café Zen, on W 1st and Yew.
In addition to restaurants, West 4th Avenue is also one of Vancouver’s great urban shopping streets, with boutiques, big name-brand stores, sporting goods, and home décor shops galore.
Kitsilano Beaches and Parks:
Kitsilano Beach is an idyllic stretch of sand along English Bay facing the North Shore mountains and open sea. Packed with locals and tourists in the summer, the beach is the spot for sunbathing, swimming, beach volleyball, dog-walking, and socializing.
Of the 15 city parks in Kits, Vanier Park is the most famous. Located at the edge of English Bay, the park has stunning views of downtown Vancouver, as well as grassy fields, ponds and walking paths.
Kitsilano Landmarks:
Kitsilano’s Vanier Park and the adjacent Hadden Park are home to three of the city’s most popular attractions: the Vancouver Museum, dedicated to showcasing the natural and cultural history of the Vancouver region, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, an astronomy museum complete with planetarium and observatory, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum.
Kits is also home to the grandest outdoor pool in Vancouver. At 137 metres (150 yards), Kits Pool is Canada’s longest pool—almost three times longer than an Olympic pool—and Vancouver’s only heated salt water pool. Open from mid-May to September and located right on the water, between Yew St. and Balsam St., the pool boasts postcard-perfect scenic views and some of the best people watching in the city.
Kitsilano Demographics:
24,862
Kitsilano Schools:
