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Best areas to live in Vancouver for expat families

Home to Mulgrave School and Collingwood. Mountain and ocean lifestyle. School catchments are strong, housing is expensive, commute into central Vancouver is 30 to 45 minutes.

West Vancouver: Caulfeild, Eagle Harbour

Home to Mulgrave School and Collingwood. Mountain and ocean lifestyle. School catchments are strong, housing is expensive, commute into central Vancouver is 30 to 45 minutes.

Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy, Point Grey

City of Vancouver, west side. Home to Crofton House, St George's, West Point Grey Academy and the strongest public school catchments. Established expat heartland, walkable to amenities, expensive housing.

North Vancouver

Across the inlet from the city. Family-friendly, mountain access, public schools serve growing expat populations. Newer housing stock at slightly lower prices than the west side.

Burnaby

East of Vancouver, growing expat population particularly Asian and South Asian families. Strong public schools at materially lower housing costs than Vancouver proper.

What to know

Vancouver housing is expensive across the family-friendly catchments. Most relocating families rent for 12 to 18 months before buying. Public school catchments matter; verify the catchment for your specific address before committing to a rental.

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