Kitsilano
Kitsilano is more urban in character than the rest of Vancouver's West Side, being just across the Burrard Street Bridge from Downtown. It has access to Vancouver's best beaches and has a yuppie beach lifestyle. The trendy "Kits" extends East-West from Burrard Street to Alma Street and North-South from English Bay to West 16th Avenue. The community's north-south streets are all named for the area's native plants. The neighbourhood is also close to Granville Island in neighbouring Fairview.
In the 1960's the neighborhood was quite affordable and was a haven for "hippie" culture. In recent years Kits became a pricy area both for renters and buyers. Kitsilano is inhabited by both a young & active population attracted to its beaches and proximity to downtown and the University as well - as a successful Yuppie audience that can afford the prices demanded by such proximity and the stunning views of downtown and the North Shore Mountains.
Homes
Single family homes have a wide variety, including California bungalows, Arts & Crafts, and Edwardian character homes; many homes are available for rent. Kitsilano residential buildings are mostly multi-unit dwellings divided into rental suites. There are several pockets of condo developments closer to Granville Street.
Single family homes in the Kitsilano/Point Grey average between $900,000 to several millions, while condos (stratified apartments) average in the $275,000 to $1 million range.
Shopping
Kitsilano has many great stores, restaurants, and coffee shops along West 4th Avenue, West 10th Avenue and West Broadway Avenue, with West 4th being the trendiest. The community is close to Granville Island (though a bit touristy) and the closest shopping centre is the Arbutus Village Mall.
Recreation
Recreation here focuses on the waterfront with the see-and-be-seen Kits beach and its outdoor pool, and the more shaded and relaxed Jericho Park and beach to the west. Kits Beach Park also has basketball courts, beach volleyball, tennis courts, and recreational pathways along the seawall for running, biking and inline blading. To the south in Connaught Park is a community centre, outdoor pool and ice arena. There's also Vanier Park, with its Planetarium & Museums, and Hadden Park with the Vancouver Maritime Museum.
Schools
The community is served by five elementary schools, a public library and Kitsilano Secondary school. The University of British Columbia (UBC), Emily Carr School of Art & Design, and all the downtown educational institutions are close by.
