Top things Vancouverites look for when buying a home

When Heather and Nicholas Enemark were looking to purchase their first home, their number-one priority was the walkability of the neighbourhood in which they lived.

“Mount Pleasant has a Walk Score of 88, which means it is very walkable … we have access to lots of ethnic restaurants, a grocery store, pharmacy, fantastic parks and great coffee shops, all within a few blocks away,” says Heather, who is a registered nurse and the mom of two-year-old Cici. “When we want a night out downtown, we can SkyTrain in just a few minutes.”

To this young Millennial couple, they would rather give up indoor space than urban conveniences.

“Many of our friends have also chosen condo or townhome living in the city rather than a larger home in the suburbs because being able to walk everywhere is more important to us,” she says, adding they purchased a one-bedroom and den condo last year. “I also love that there are so many child resources that I can walk to.”

Another huge consideration for the Enemarks was access to free parking.

“We love that in our neighbourhood, family and friends can find free parking easily,” she says, adding her husband Nicholas walks to work. “My mom and mother-in-law babysit at our house and it would be really annoying and inconvenient if they had to drive blocks to find parking and then have to pay for the privilege.”

Heather says another benefit of living in Mount Pleasant is that there are lots of young families, which offers them a great sense of community.

“Being a new mom, you can feel isolated, but not here. I go out my door and see lots of people milling about, saying ‘hi’,” she says. “Young families share their toys at the park, which is really helpful when you live in a small space with little storage.”

It seems the Enemarks aren’t alone.

According to a RE/MAX Canada 2018 Spring Market Trend Report, access to parks and greenspace, as well as homes close to work, are what dominates the Millennials’ wish list when looking at neighbourhoods in which they choose to purchase a home. As this demographic is the largest first-time homebuyer cohort of Greater Vancouver’s condo and townhome market, builders are listening.

Colin Gatward agrees with the report’s findings. A realtor with RE/MAX Crest Realty and co-founder of Nest Presales, new development specialists, he says, “In my experience, Millennials first and foremost want to be close to transit, parks, shopping and great restaurants. Many don’t care if a condo or townhome doesn’t offer parking spaces because most of them have no need for a car. They want ‘doorstep’ access.”

While Millennials say living close to transit is important when searching out preferred neighbourhoods, that doesn’t really factor into the decision-making process for many Baby Boomers and Generation X’ers.

“In my experience, these two cohorts don’t really care about transit. Generation X with young families want to be close to really good schools, while Baby Boomers want to stay in their neighbourhood or close to it,” Gatward says. “I myself am a Generation X’er, and for me, views and a sense of community were the most important considerations when I bought my condo in the West End. I bought in a boutique condo building with great views of the ocean and of mature trees.”

An established neighbourhood was also on Gatward’s wishlist. The historic West End is one of Vancouver’s oldest, most iconic and renowned neighbourhoods, and as such, Gatward says he loves meandering through the beautiful streets “filled with flowering gardens, and so near the beach, the Seawall and downtown.”

When it comes down to it, it seems lifestyle, convenience and livability are the driving forces behind what Vancouverites look for when purchasing a home.