Most university neighbourhoods are rough and tumble with fast food joints, cramped housing and lots of late night parties are commonplace. Not West Point Grey. West Point Grey (often called Point Grey) is one of the wealthiest and most desirable neighbourhoods in Vancouver.
With downtown Vancouver less than 10 minutes away by car, the University of British Columbia and Pacific Spirits Regional Park on the doorstep and plenty of waterfront, what’s not to like?
All of these goodies come with a hefty price tag and some of the most expensive real estate in Vancouver ensures the neighbourhood remains exclusive. However, students from the nearby UBC add a tiny bit of rough to Point Grey by renting out basement suites.
Point Grey’s intimate and walkable shopping village is situated along West 10th Avenue between Tolmie and Alma Street. Boutiques and bistros, spas, home accessory stores and one-of-a-kind coffee shops compete to persuade the locals to part with their huge disposable incomes.
When West Pointers aren’t adding to the sum of human knowledge, studying or making their millions, they can hang out at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club at the corner of Jericho Beach or tee-off at the private Point Grey Golf & Country Club.
Average condo selling price* (Sept. 2010): $471,900
Average house selling price* (Sept. 2010): $2,322,190
What it's known for?
› Great beaches, quiet streets lined with luxury homes
› Vancouver Folk festival
› Some amazing, city, mountain and ocean views.
Schools
› University Hill Secondary School on the campus of UBC is the smallest secondary within the Vancouver School Board district with only 530 registered students. With the offspring of so many academics in attendance it is no surprise that the school is the top ranked public school according to the Fraser Institute.
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Lord Byng Secondary, ranked 21st on the Fraser Institute listings for BC Schools also has an excellent reputation and offers the Byng Arts Mini School program for students who want to specialize in the fine arts.
› Independent school choices include the West Point Grey Academy which is regularly ranked number one school in BC by the Fraser Institute.
› Alternative elementary schools include Family Montessori School near Jericho Park and Our Lady of Perpetual Help for Catholic instruction.
Vancouver Secondary School Boundaries (Clickable Map)
Vancouver Primary School Boundaries (Clickable Map)
Interactive map displaying all Vancouver schools
Public Transportation
Buses to downtown and UBC run along 10th Avenue. Direct bus links to the Canada, Expo & Millennium SkyTrain lines are also available.
Notable Parks & Attractions
› Hastings Mill
› Jericho Beach Park
› Locarno Park
› Spanish Bank Beach Park
Interactive map displaying all Vancouver parks
Inhabitants
Affluent, professional singles, families and students.
Location
West Point Grey is bordered by
English Bay to the north, 16th Avenue to the south, Alma Street to the east and Blanca Street to the west.
* Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver