Best Neighborhoods for Families in Vancouver

Picking a neighborhood as a newcomer family is about more than rent. You need good schools, safe streets, parks for the kids, and ideally a community that makes you feel welcome. Here's where families actually thrive in Metro Vancouver.

Top Family Neighborhoods

1. Burnaby — Metrotown / Edmonds Area

Why families love it: Excellent schools (Burnaby School District is highly rated), affordable rent compared to Vancouver, and Metrotown has everything. Edmonds Community Centre has great kids' programs. Central Park has playgrounds, a pool, and sports fields. SkyTrain gets parents downtown for work in 20 minutes.

Schools to know: Marlborough Elementary, Edmonds Community School, Byrne Creek Secondary

Rent: 2BR from $2,000/month

2. Coquitlam — Westwood Plateau / Burke Mountain

Why families love it: Newer developments with family-sized townhouses and apartments. Schools are less crowded than Vancouver. Mountain trails and parks everywhere. The Evergreen SkyTrain extension connects to downtown. Town Centre Park has a skating rink and splash pad.

Schools to know: Roy Stibbs Elementary, Westwood Elementary, Pinetree Secondary

Rent: 2BR from $2,200/month; 3BR townhouse from $2,800/month

3. Richmond — Steveston / Ironwood

Why families love it: Safe, clean, with excellent amenities. Steveston has a village feel with the boardwalk and fisherman's wharf. Ironwood (Blundell area) has newer developments and good parks. Richmond schools are strong — the district consistently ranks high provincially. Great Asian food everywhere.

Schools to know: Dixon Elementary, Ironwood Elementary, Steveston-London Secondary

Rent: 2BR from $2,100/month

4. North Vancouver — Lower Lonsdale / Lynn Valley

Why families love it: Mountain and ocean access. North Van has a nature-oriented lifestyle — trails, beaches, and ski hills are all within 15 minutes. Schools are good. Lower Lonsdale is walkable and urban; Lynn Valley is more suburban with bigger spaces. SeaBus to downtown is 12 minutes.

Schools to know: Queensbury Elementary, Lynn Valley Elementary, Carson Graham Secondary

Rent: 2BR from $2,300/month

5. Surrey — Guildford / South Surrey

Why families love it: Most affordable family-sized units in Metro Van. South Surrey/White Rock has a small-town feel with beaches. Guildford has good schools and the mall for rainy-day outings. Surrey's diversity means your kids will grow up in a truly multicultural environment.

Schools to know: Pacific Academy (private, popular with newcomers), Guildford Park Secondary, Semiahmoo Secondary (South Surrey)

Rent: 2BR from $1,600/month (Guildford), $2,000/month (South Surrey)

School System Basics for Newcomers

• Public school is free for all residents, including newcomers on work or study permits
• Schools provide ESL support — your kids will get language help at no extra cost
• Register at your local school district office (bring your immigration docs and proof of address)
• French Immersion programs are popular and free — register early (waitlists are long)

Figure out if you can afford your target neighborhood with our rent affordability calculator.

What Makes a Good Family Neighborhood?

• Walk Score above 60 (can walk to school, groceries, parks)
• At least one community centre with kids' programs nearby
• School ratings (check the Fraser Institute Report Card — controversial but directionally useful)
• Green space within walking distance

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Vancouver public schools good?

Yes, generally. BC's public school system ranks well nationally. Urban schools have larger class sizes but more programs. Suburban schools (Burnaby, Coquitlam) often have better student-to-teacher ratios. ESL support is strong across all districts.

Can my child attend school if we're on a visitor visa?

Not for free. Visitor visa holders must pay international student tuition ($14,000-16,000/year). With a work permit, study permit, or PR, public school is free.

What about childcare/daycare?

Daycare waitlists in Metro Van are 1-2 years long. Apply to multiple centers as soon as you arrive. The $10/day childcare program (BC government) has limited spots. See our daycare waitlist strategy guide for more.

References

[1] Statistics Canada, "Census Profile, Vancouver CMA, 2021." https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm

[2] Government of Canada, "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship." https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html

[3] City of Vancouver, "Open Data Portal." https://opendata.vancouver.ca/

[4] BC Housing, "Rental Market Reports." https://www.bchousing.org/research-centre/housing-data

Calculating your family budget? Our settlement cost calculator covers housing, childcare, groceries, and more.