Strathcona

Photo: Ariana Gillrie

Stepping into Strathcona feels like climbing the stairs to a top-floor gable room in one of the neighbourhood’s trademark tall houses: while it’s right near the heart of things, with Mount Pleasant just south and downtown just west, it’s calm, less frenzied and away from the hubbub. Unexpectedly, it’s also a great shopping destination, with hidden gems like an authentic Japanese grocery, well-curated clothing boutiques, and an epic cheese emporium.

Real Estate: Gritty Community Faces Drive for Densification

Young families, creative types, downsizers and those with slimmer budgets continue to flock to this historic east-side ’hood, which has retained its diverse, tight-knit community feel—
despite enormous leaps in real estate values. With its proximity to the Downtown Eastside, it’s still rougher around the edges than many city ’hoods, but the eclectic mix of apartments, townhomes, heritage homes and new builds make it a top spot for buyers seeking character. “There’s a very tight community down here that very few people move from,” says realtor Rick Stonehouse. “I’ve lived in Vancouver my whole life, but it’s the one spot I’ve really felt at home.” With significant densification planned for East Hastings, the building of the new St. Paul’s Hospital, and the removal of the Georgia viaducts, the area will also see major change—and soon.

Neighbourhood Stats

Median Age of Residents: 49
Population: 12,165
Average Monthly Rent: $611
Avg. Total Household Income: $35,904
Schools: 3
Parks: 9