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Guest post by Xueting Zhao, master’s student at the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, and WorkLearn for �������� Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.��

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Looking for a new home in Vancouver and beyond? Explore the neighbourhoods in and around town that fit your budget, commute and lifestyle.����

Whether you're moving from outside of the city or looking for a new habitat to resettle, finding a suitable place to live is one of the most important steps for an enjoyable graduate life. While some prefer on-campus accommodations, living off campus lets you explore the real city vibes and experience what it means to be a Vancouverite. Read along to learn more about popular areas among �������� graduate students, what they offer, and what you should consider when choosing where to live.��

Popular Vancouver neighbourhoods for �������� graduate students��

Below are some of the neighbourhoods outside of campus that are favoured by �������� students. Please note that the commute time listed here is a rough estimate based on Google Maps. The actual time varies depending on whether you have easy access to transit stops and traffic. is quite accurate when it comes to trip planning, however, also has a Trip Planner. It is highly recommended to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the estimated commute time to just make sure you get to class on time.����

Kitsilano (“Kits”)��

• Vibe: Relaxed and beachy with lots of young people and students��
• Commute to/from ��������: 15–30 mins by bus or bike��
• Why live here: Close to �������� and to one of Vancouver’s most beloved beaches - Kitsilano beach, walkable, great for biking, tons of trendy cafés, restaurants, boutique shops and yoga studios��

Dunbar��

• Vibe: Quiet, residential, and family-friendly��
• Commute to/from ��������: 15-30 mins by bus��
• Why live here: Very close to campus, peaceful neighbourhood with lots of residential houses where you can find a room in a shared house without breaking the bank��

Point Grey��

• Vibe: Upscale and quiet, right next to ��������, also one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the city��
• Commute to/from ��������: 5–15 mins by bus or bike��
• Why live here: Walking distance to campus, great if you prefer a calmer setting��

Cambie/Oakridge��

• Vibe: Calm, residential and well-connected, perfect for quieter living off the main corridor, with easy access to express bus routes to/from campus��
• Commute to/from ��������: 30–45 minutes by bus or a combination of SkyTrain (Canada Line) + bus��
• Why live here: Great choices for those looking for more peaceful and independent environment without being too far from the action, close to Queen Elizabeth Park and Hillcrest Aquatic Centre��

Mount Pleasant/Main Street��

• Vibe: Trendy, artsy, full of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, lots of vegan/vegetarian dining options��
• Commute to/from ��������: 30–45 mins by bus��
• Why live here: Great neighbourhood if you want more city life while still being transit-accessible with loads of popular restaurants, bars and coffee shops to explore��

Commercial Drive (“The Drive”)��

• Vibe: Diverse, lively, and community-oriented��
• Commute to/from ��������: 40–50 mins by transit��
• Why live here: �������� to Vancouver’s Little Italy, multicultural and bohemian street, affordable food, and lots of shared housing options��

East Vancouver (Renfrew, Hastings-Sunrise)��

• Vibe: Residential and culturally diverse��
• Commute to/from ��������: 45–60+ mins by transit��
• Why live here: Comparatively more affordable, good for those on a tighter budget��

West End (Downtown)��

• Vibe: Lush, walkable and welcoming—an urban oasis with a strong sense of community, close to English Bay and Stanley Park��
• Commute to/from ��������: 60+ minutes by bus or 25-30 minutes by bike��
• Why live here: vibrant, diverse and peaceful neighborhood tucked between downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park and English Bay��

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Living beyond Vancouver��

Living in neighbouring cities may also be an option for those looking to be closer to cultural communities or for lower rent. These areas are most ideal for those with vehicles or who have fewer course commitments.����

Burnaby��

• Vibe: Urban-suburban mix, home to parks, schools and major shopping malls��
• Commute to/from ��������: 45–60+ mins by transit��
• Why live here: Great value, access to SkyTrain line, good for students with partners or families, lots of community centres and park spaces for exploration.

Richmond (Large Chinese-speaking community)��

• Vibe: Multicultural and food-focused with a strong East Asian presence��
• Commute to/from ��������: 45–60+ mins by transit��
• Why live here: Excellent Chinese food, many cultural supermarkets, strong community,��transport hub with the airport and skytrain make it closer than you think!

Surrey (Large South Asian community)��

• Vibe: Diverse and growing, with a vibrant South Asian population��
• Commute to/from ��������: 60–75+ mins by transit��
• Why live here: More space for less rent, strong cultural connections and community events��

What to consider before choosing a neighbourhood��

It’s helpful to keep in mind the following factors when deciding on which neighbourhood is best for you:����

Compare cost of living��

G+PS has a Cost of Living estimator tool for graduate students which factors in tuition, housing costs and other associated costs. Simply plug in a few details to use the Cost of Living estimator tool on our website, and compare Market Housing costs on our page.

You can also use the (Region: Mainland/Southwest) to get an estimate of expenses on housing, transportation etc. You can also compare between different neighbourhoods.����

Please be mindful that these online tools only offer an estimate. The actual spend could vary largely depending on your own preferred accommodation types and area.����

Commute time/frequency to/from ����������

If you rely on public transit to get around town and to campus, take into consideration whether the place has easy access to bus transit/SkyTrain stations. Also consider whether the transit options include rapid transit, or fast lines with limited stops. ��

If you own a vehicle/bike/scooter, confirm whether there’s free parking/designated storage room or do you need to pay for space to park/storage your car/bike.�� Some neighbourhoods have resident only parking areas so you have the option to purchase a .��

For those who will be biking or using scooters, it may also worth checking out whether there are bike lanes in your neighbourhood.����

Depending on your course load and research/work commitments, you may expect to travel to campus more often. It might make more sense to find a place closer to campus.����

Cost of rent and utilities��

Be mindful that utility costs, such as internet, electricity, heating, water, etc., could come at an additional charge on top of your rent. Specific buildings may come with restrictions by not allowing pets, or requiring a pet deposit. Make sure you confirm these details with the landlord before signing the tenancy agreement. For estimates, use the Cost of Living estimator tool on our website. If you need support in paying rent, check out programs like the .��

Neighbourhood vibe��

Ask yourself the following questions:��

• Is it a quiet/social/family-friendly community?����
• Is It close to grocery stores?��
• Does it have study/working spaces, such as Vancouver Public Library branches or cafes, for those days when you don’t want to make it all the way to campus?����
• Does it have access to parks, community centres or other activity spaces nearby?��

For , you may also want to take into consideration whether there are daycares or schools in the neighbourhood. Read more on registering your child in school, childcare services on �������� campus, finding your community and other useful resources at the page.����

For international students, some of you may prefer to live closer to your ethnic communities to feel more at home. However, it may also worth trying to experience the inclusive graduate student community with peers from diverse cultures.����

Safety and walkability��

Vancouver is generally considered a safe city to live. It’s crucial to make sure you feel comfortable and safe when walking around the neighbourhood you plan to move in.��

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Conclusion��

Finding an ideal place to call home may not always be easy. There is also no one “best” or “most recommended” area. No matter which neighbourhood you choose, make sure it fits your own needs, budget and lifestyle.

Read more housing tips from a peer’s perspective.��

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