Is Vancouver Right For You?
West Side or East Side — Two Very Different Buys.
The single most important thing to understand about buying in Vancouver is the West Side / East Side divide. The West Side — Shaughnessy, Point Grey, Kerrisdale, Kitsilano, Dunbar, and the Cambie corridor — is the city's prestige market, where detached benchmarks run around $3M and well beyond. The East Side — Main, Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive (Grandview-Woodland), Hastings-Sunrise, Renfrew, Collingwood — offers more character, more attainable entry points, and a detached benchmark closer to $1.65M.
Buyers come to Vancouver for the walkable neighbourhoods, the ocean-and-mountain setting, and the energy of distinct communities. First-time buyers and investors concentrate in the condo-rich pockets of both sides; families weigh East Side character homes against West Side schools and prestige; and move-up and luxury buyers focus on the West Side's established estate neighbourhoods. Knowing which side — and which neighbourhood — fits your budget and life is the whole game.
Vancouver Market Snapshot
What Vancouver Homes Cost Right Now.
Benchmark prices · Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, May 2026 · Updated monthly
Vancouver West Side
Detached
$3,025,000
▼ 8.5% year-over-year
▲ 1.5% month-over-month
Townhouse
$1,331,700
▼ 5.5% year-over-year
▼ 0.6% month-over-month
Condo
$783,300
▼ 6.8% year-over-year
▼ 0.9% month-over-month
Vancouver East Side
Detached
$1,654,900
▼ 9.7% year-over-year
▼ 1.6% month-over-month
Townhouse
$1,067,400
▼ 3.7% year-over-year
▲ 4.0% month-over-month
Condo
$640,800
▼ 7.9% year-over-year
▼ 3.6% month-over-month
The contrast is striking: a West Side detached benchmark of $3.03M is nearly double the East Side's $1.65M, while East Side condos at $640,800 offer one of the more attainable entry points into the city. One bright spot for sellers and a caution for buyers — East Side townhouses jumped 4.0% month-over-month, the strongest move in either market. Across the city, prices remain down year-over-year, giving buyers more negotiating room than in recent years.
Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS® Stats Package, May 2026 (Vancouver West and Vancouver East). Benchmark prices reflect a typical property in each segment, not list or sale prices for any specific home.
West Side Neighbourhoods
The Prestige West Side.
Vancouver's most established and expensive neighbourhoods, with real detached benchmark prices from the May 2026 GVR report.
Estates · Most Prestigious
Shaughnessy
Vancouver's grandest address — heritage estates on large, tree-lined lots in the historic heart of the West Side. The pinnacle of the city's luxury market, and notably resilient, down just 0.4% year-over-year.
Detached benchmark: ~$4,826,500
Beach · Walkable
Kitsilano & Point Grey
The classic West Side beach lifestyle — Kits Beach, walkable shops on West 4th, and proximity to UBC. Kitsilano blends character homes and condos; Point Grey offers larger family homes near the water. Among the city's most coveted lifestyle addresses.
Detached: Kitsilano ~$2,617,300 · Point Grey ~$2,759,900
Family · Schools
Dunbar, Kerrisdale & Arbutus
The quintessential West Side family belt — quiet streets, strong school catchments, and a village feel in Kerrisdale and Dunbar. Established, prestigious, and consistently in demand from move-up families.
Detached: Kerrisdale ~$3,071,600 · Dunbar ~$2,805,800 · Arbutus ~$3,163,600
Transit · Redeveloping
Cambie Corridor & Oakridge
The Canada Line spine of the West Side, anchored by the major Oakridge redevelopment. A focus of new condo and townhome construction, drawing buyers who want transit, new builds, and long-term growth potential.
Detached: Cambie ~$2,615,500 · Oakridge ~$3,226,300
East Side Neighbourhoods
The Characterful East Side.
More attainable, more eclectic, and full of character — with real detached benchmark prices from the May 2026 GVR report.
Trendy · Walkable
Main Street & Mount Pleasant
The East Side's hippest, most walkable district — independent shops, restaurants, and breweries along Main and in Mount Pleasant. Hugely popular with younger buyers and families wanting character and energy. The priciest part of the East Side detached market.
Detached: Main ~$1,937,200 · Mount Pleasant ~$1,788,900
Eclectic · Community
Commercial Drive (Grandview-Woodland)
One of Vancouver's most vibrant, diverse, and community-minded neighbourhoods — "The Drive" is famous for its cafés, culture, and character homes. A magnet for buyers who want personality and walkability over polish.
Detached benchmark: ~$1,643,600
Value · Family
Renfrew, Collingwood & Killarney
Established, family-oriented East Side communities offering some of the more accessible detached and condo prices in the city, with SkyTrain access along the Expo Line. Collingwood in particular has the East Side's most affordable condo benchmark.
Detached: Renfrew ~$1,642,100 · Killarney ~$1,663,900 · Collingwood condo ~$525,800
Heritage · Central
Hastings-Sunrise & Strathcona
Historic, central, and increasingly sought-after — Strathcona is one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, while Hastings-Sunrise offers character homes with views and a strong community feel. Popular with buyers seeking heritage charm close to downtown.
Detached: Hastings-Sunrise ~$1,582,200 · Strathcona ~$1,552,600
Why Juliana for Vancouver
In Vancouver, the Neighbourhood Is the Whole Decision.
A Shaughnessy estate, a Main Street character home, and a Collingwood condo aren't just different price points — they're different cities. Vancouver's neighbourhoods vary more dramatically in price, lifestyle, and value than almost anywhere in the region, and the West/East divide alone can mean a difference of well over a million dollars on a detached home. Local knowledge isn't a nice-to-have here; it's the difference between a smart buy and an expensive mistake.
Juliana helps buyers cut through Vancouver's complexity — matching budget to the right side, the right neighbourhood, and the right property type, with honest guidance on where value actually sits today.
Start Your Vancouver Home SearchRE/MAX Heights Realty · 4370 Dominion Street, Suite 400, Burnaby, BC V5G 4L7 · 778-822-8000
Vancouver Buyers Ask
Common Questions About Buying in Vancouver.
What's the difference between Vancouver's West Side and East Side?
It's the most important distinction for buyers. The West Side is Vancouver's prestige market — Shaughnessy, Point Grey, Kerrisdale, Kitsilano, Dunbar, and the Cambie corridor — with a detached benchmark around $3,025,000 as of May 2026. The East Side — Main, Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive, Renfrew, Collingwood, Hastings-Sunrise — is more attainable and characterful, with a detached benchmark around $1,654,900. Condos follow the same pattern: roughly $783,300 on the West Side versus $640,800 on the East Side.
Where are the most affordable homes in Vancouver?
The East Side generally offers the city's more attainable entry points, particularly for condos. Collingwood has one of the lowest condo benchmarks in the city (around $525,800 as of May 2026), and neighbourhoods like Renfrew, Hastings-Sunrise, and Victoria-Fraserview offer relatively more accessible detached and townhome options. Across the city, the East Side condo benchmark of $640,800 is well below the West Side's $783,300, making it a common starting point for first-time buyers.
Which Vancouver neighbourhood is best for families?
It depends on budget and priorities. On the West Side, Dunbar, Kerrisdale, and Point Grey are classic family choices known for strong school catchments and quiet streets, at a premium. On the East Side, areas like Renfrew, Collingwood, Killarney, and Hastings-Sunrise offer more accessible family homes with good community amenities and transit. Families wanting walkable character often look to Main Street, Mount Pleasant, and Commercial Drive.
Is now a good time to buy in Vancouver?
As of May 2026, benchmark prices are down year-over-year across both sides of the city — West Side detached off 8.5% and East Side detached off 9.7% — which has given buyers more negotiating room than in recent years. At the same time, some segments are firming month-over-month, such as East Side townhouses (up 4.0%). Whether it's the right time depends on your situation, the specific neighbourhood, and property type, which is exactly where local guidance helps.
What should I check before buying a condo in Vancouver?
During your subject period, review the strata's Form B information certificate, depreciation report, recent meeting minutes, bylaws, and contingency reserve fund balance. Vancouver has a wide mix of older character conversions and brand-new towers, so a building's age, reserve health, and any special levies matter a great deal. A well-funded reserve and a current depreciation report signal a healthy strata and help you avoid expensive surprises after closing.
Buying in Vancouver
Let's Find the Right Vancouver Home for You.
West Side or East Side, character home or new condo — a quick conversation with a REALTOR® who knows Vancouver's neighbourhoods will save you time and costly missteps. No pressure — just honest local guidance.
Book a Buyer Consultation Selling in Vancouver Instead?Call or text Juliana directly · 778-822-8000
Juliana Vallée, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Heights Realty
