Neighbourhood Guides – Strathcona

Overview

 

Strathcona is one of Vancouver's oldest neighborhoods and is located just to the east of Downtown Vancouver. Like the neighboring Gastown area of Downtown, Strathcona is characterized by a wide range of architectural styles, with many older buildings bringing a great deal of character to the area. Perhaps typical of East Van suburbs, Strathcona has long been a diverse, working class part of the city – and that diversity has continued to grow over the years. Real estate in East Van, compared to that in West Vancouver, has traditionally been viewed as lower priced. Today, many East Van neighborhoods can easily match real estate prices in parts of West Vancouver, as the Eastern part of the city rapidly grows in popularity. Strathcona, however, continues to offer relatively affordable real estate in Vancouver; single family homes in need of some restoration are increasingly popular in the area with young professional families, looking to find a family home they can afford and potentially increase in price. Newly built condo developments in Strathcona are also attracting individuals and couples, looking to buy a Vancouver home, close to Downtown but in an area where prices still have some upward potential in the future. Vancouver's bustling Chinatown forms part of the neighborhood and there is a large population of people of Chinese origin in Strathcona.

 

Transport

 

In terms of commuting to Downtown Vancouver, Strathcona is so closely that placed that walking and biking are easy options, along with a number of public transport services offered by Translink. Strathcona is also home to the historic Pacific Central Station which today is the terminus for the cross country VIA service and also operates as a bus terminus for Amtrak and other cross country and international bus services. Canada Line connections for Vancouver International Airport are available nearby in downtown, making Strathcona possibly one of the best connected neighborhoods in Vancouver!

 

Schools and Universities

 

Vancouver School Board provides elementary and secondary educational facilities in Strathcona. Amongst them is the Lord Strathcona Elementary School, dating from 1867 and believed to be one of the oldest schools in Vancouver. The School Board also provides a wide range of alternative education options, including various language programs and adult learner programs, in Strathcona and other neighborhoods across Vancouver. Strathcona's transport links also make commuting to University of British Columbia an easy option.

 

Recreation and Facilities

 

Whether it's shopping or eating out, Chinatown, centered on Main Street in Strathcona, offers the most attractive option for residents and visitors to the neighborhood. In addition to numerous restaurants there are a high number of import stores, providing furnishings, clothing and there are also fresh and seafood markets with a distinctly Chinese flavor. The neighborhood has five parks, the largest, Strathcona Park, offers playgrounds, soccer and baseball facilities and off-leash dog areas. The neighborhood's diverse history and background have brought together many cultures over the years and this is reflected in the artistic life of the neighborhood. Home to the Eastisde Culture Crawl art festival and the Chinese New Year Parade, just two heights of the cultural year, Strathcona has a vibrant exciting arts scene that continues to grow and develop and this, along with the neighborhood's excellent links to Downtown Vancouver are likely to see it continue to increase as a place in which to invest in Vancouver real estate.