Pick an area before a home
Metro Vancouver is more than 20 cities and districts. The area you choose sets your commute, your school options and how far your budget goes.
Pick two or three areas, then look at homes in them.
What your budget buys
Asking prices change a lot from one city to the next. The same budget can mean a condo in one area and a townhouse in another.
The table shows homes for sale and the median asking price in each area.
Test the commute at rush hour
A 20-minute trip at noon can take twice as long at 8 am, especially over a bridge.
Try the trip at the time you would make it.
Check school catchments by address
Catchment lines can split a street. Check the address with the school district before you make an offer.
Consider renting first
Many newcomers rent for a few months to learn an area before they buy.