Living in North Vancouver: What You Need to Know Before You Move (2025)

Thinking about moving to North Vancouver? Discover the top reasons why this beautiful North Shore community could be your ideal home in 2025.

Estimate reading time: 5 minutes

If you ask anyone who lives here why they chose North Vancouver, you probably won’t get the same answer twice.

Some will say the trails. Others, the views, the waterfront, the cafés. Most people will pause, smile, and say something like: “It just feels right here.” And it does!

North Vancouver isn’t trying to be the next big thing. It already knows who it is. If you’re just starting to look or already picturing yourself here, the following 10 reasons will help you get to know what North Vancouver is really about and why it might be your next home.

1. Lonsdale Living: Markets, Ocean Views, and the Best SeaBus Commute Around

At The Shipyards, you’ll find live music, outdoor skating in winter, open-air markets, food trucks, and summer movie nights by the ocean. It’s where the community naturally comes together.

Next door, Lonsdale Quay Market brings a more local rhythm: coffee roasters, handmade goods, and lunch with a view of the downtown skyline. And when the city calls? Hop on the SeaBus and be downtown in under 15 minutes. No car. No traffic. Just a calm trip, and it’s beautiful scenery.

2. Grouse Mountain: Ski Before Work, Hike After Dinner

In North Van, getting into nature doesn’t mean planning a weekend, it means walking out your door.

Grouse Mountain is only minutes away, but it feels like another world. Hike the Grouse Grind for your morning workout, take the Skyride up to catch a sunset, or spend snowy weekends skiing without ever leaving the city.

It’s one of the few places where an actual mountain is just part of your daily routine.

3. Edgemont Village: A Real Neighbourhood Kind of Place

Edgemont is the kind of place that feels like home the minute you get there.

Locals stop to chat on the sidewalks, small businesses remember your name, and kids still ride bikes down quiet streets. It’s a walkable, family-friendly community at the foot of the mountain, with some of the best pastries and coffee in the city. (You’ll find your favourite within a week, guaranteed.)

If you’re looking to get to know more people, this is it.

4. Deep Cove: That Quiet Little Pocket You’ll Never Want to Leave

Deep Cove is a little off the beaten path, and people love it that way.

Here, mornings start with a paddle on the calm inlet or a slow hike through forest trails. The view from Quarry Rock is one of the best in the Lower Mainland. Between the marina, art galleries, and friendly village vibe, Deep Cove has a charm that’s impossible to fake.

5. Where to Eat in North Van: Low-Key, High-Quality, Seriously Good

North Van isn’t showy when it comes to food, but don’t let that fool you. This city’s full of incredible places to eat, and the locals know it.

Head for drinks and tacos, wood-fired pizza, or grab sushi from walking distances from the dock. Food trucks line the Shipyards during summer, and almost every café roasts their own beans or makes their pastries in-house.

It’s a food scene built for people who love good food without the fuss.

6. Dogs Love It Here. You Will Too.

If you’re a dog owner, North Vancouver might just be your dream city.

There are endless options for off-leash trails from McKay Creek to Mosquito Creek to Seymour Valley. The rainy or snowy days don’t stop locals and their dogs from going out and exploring. Patios have water bowls and dog treats on standby, and the trail networks mean you can go for real walks, not just loops around a block.

Bonus: many shops will let your pup come inside, too.

7. The North Shore Doesn’t Just Talk About Being Active — It Lives It

Here, being active isn’t something people try to squeeze in. It’s part of the culture. How could they not be outdoors when they are surrounded by nature?

You’ll find hikers before 7 AM, bikes on every trail, and weekend warriors training on the Seymour Demonstration Forest path. Local gyms, yoga studios, climbing centres, and community centres give you plenty of indoor options too.

This is a city that keeps you moving without even thinking about it.

8. A Life Balance That Works

One of North Vancouver’s biggest draws? It gives you the best of both worlds.

You’re close enough to the city for business meetings, concerts, or dinners in Yaletown. But when you come home, it’s quiet. Clean air, tree-lined streets, and space to breathe. You’ll hear birds, not traffic. You’ll sleep with your window open.

Whether you’re commuting or working from home, the balance here is real — and hard to match anywhere else in Metro Vancouver.

9. Homes for Every Life Stage

Real estate in North Vancouver is as diverse as its people.

Looking for a modern condo with views? Check out Lower Lonsdale. Want a character home near great schools? Blueridge or Lynn Valley might be a fit. Dreaming of big windows and forest trails in your backyard? Explore Upper Lonsdale, Canyon Heights, or Edgemont.

Whether you’re single, starting a family, or downsizing into something easier, there’s a home here that fits your life — and your lifestyle.

10. The Partners Vancouver: Your Next Chapter Starts With Us

We’re not here to just help you buy a house. We’re here to guide you through one of the most important decisions of your life — with strategy, honesty, and real expertise.

At THE PARTNERS VANCOUVER, we bring boutique service, deep market knowledge, and the kind of local insight that only comes from being truly connected to the neighbourhoods we serve.

When you’re ready to discover your dream home in North Vancouver, we are dedicated to guiding you every step of the way. Your journey to the perfect home starts here, and we’re excited to make it happen together!