Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood Overview
The divide between Vancouver west and East Vancouver--designated as those neighbourhoods west or east of Main Street--has traditionally been very pronounced. Vancouver west is more expensive, the people percieved as hip-and-trendy in a yuppie, Lululemon way, while East Van is said to be home to the arty types, and, once upon a time, the less well off.
As housing costs throughout Vancouver have risen--it takes close to $800,000 to buy a single family home even east of Main--these stereotypes are changing, and no where is that change more obvious than in rapidly-gentrifying Mount Pleasant.
Today's Mount Pleasant--especially the up-and-coming SoMa district (see below)--is one of Vancouver's hottest neighbourhoods. Though still cheaper than Kitsilano or Yaletown, Mount Pleasant provides fast access to downtown Vancouver, access to both the Canada Line (on Cambie Street) and SkyTrain, and a growing number of unique bars and restaurants.
Mount Pleasant Boundaries
Mount Pleasant is situated southeast of downtown Vancouver. It's located between Cambie Street to the west and Clark Drive to the east, 2nd Avenue to the north and 16th Avenue and Kingsway to the south.SoMa / South Main
Just as an area within the Fairview neighbourhood has been re-branded as South Granville, parts of Mount Pleasant are often referred to as SoMa or South Main. SoMa refers directly to the area around Main Street; it begins, roughly, around 6th Avenue and extends south into Riley Park, as far as 33rd Avenue. When looking for housing and apartments in Mount Pleasant, include SoMa in your search terms, especially if you want to live near Main Street.Mount Pleasant People
A friend of mine who has lived in Mount Pleasant for many years remembers when it was home primarily to Emily Carr art students, cyclists with cheap 10-speed bikes, and young professionals who couldn't afford Yaletown real estate. (She also remembers when prostitutes frequented the KFC on Fraser and Broadway, a sight unheard of to anyone moving to the area today.)
Despite the stereotypes, today's Mount Pleasant is home to a diverse population, ranging from young professionals choosing to invest in the area and hipsters attracted by SoMa's growing reputation to families who have lived in the area for generations.
Mount Pleasant Apartments and Real Estate
Housing in Mount Pleasant usually comes in two varieties: large houses on single lots (many of which have been converted into multiple units) or low-rise apartment and condo complexes. Due to rapid gentrification, multi-story buildings with higher-end condos and lofts make up much of the area's newer construction.
Mount Pleasant Restaurants and Nightlife
If you live in Mount Pleasant, most of your dining and nightlife will be spent on Main Street, the commercial centre of the neighbourhood. From roughly E 6th Avenue to E 33rd Avenue, Main Street is packed with unique cafes, restaurants, bars, and pubs.
Favourite spots include the vegetarian Foundation, the downtown-style Cascade Room, the live-music Main on Main, and the Five Point Pub.
Mount Pleasant Parks
There are nine parks scattered throughout Mount Pleasant, making it easy to find a spot to walk the dog, a place to play tennis or soccer, or a playground for the kids. China Creek North Park has a popular jogging trail and beautiful views of the North Shore Mountains.
Mount Pleasant Landmarks
To the far west of Mount Pleasant, at 12th Avenue and Cambie Street, is Vancouver's City Hall, home to the mayor and city council.
Mount Pleasant Demographics:
- Population: 23,615
- Average Household Income: $37,782
- Average Household Size: 1.8
Mount Pleasant Schools
Florence Nightingale Elementary School
