Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia, Squamish is a fast-growing city north of Vancouver, roughly halfway to Whistler. Surrounded by mountains and tremendous natural beauty, Squamish offers plenty of recreational activities for both residents and visitors. It is a perfect city for nature lovers and city folk alike and it is the mix of beauty and convenience with a small town feel that has brought Squamish to the attention of so many looking for a new home, or a place to invest.

When moving to a new home, your choice of neighbourhood is a prime consideration. Where you settle
will determine how long it takes you to drive from point A to B, what amenities are readily available, and whom you will call neighbour. The city of Squamish has many different residential areas to choose from, offering luxury house with stunning views, condos and townhomes in a convenient central location, or homes in quiet, secluded areas.

Why Squamish?

In recent years, the trend has been to move to smaller communities, rather than big cities. Those
communities that are situated near bodies of water or close to nature while staying within a close drive
to big cities are showing tremendous growth. Squamish has seen such a boom in its population that it is working hard to make more space available.

Squamish is a stunning location that sits along one of the country’s most scenic routes and is near
Vancouver, while distant enough to feel like you are getting away from it all. It’s no wonder that it’s one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.

Areas of Note in Squamish

Squamish neighbourhoods offer a wide range of options. Here is an idea of what you will find in each
residential area:

• Brackendale

Brackendale is a riverside community just 10 minutes from Downtown Squamish. The area has a rural
feel, and it is known for beaches, trails, and open spaces. It is family-oriented, close to schools,
restaurants, coffee shops, a general store, and the Brackendale art gallery. It is a great destination for
biking, trail running, or river walks.

• Dentville

A short walk from downtown, Dentville is one of the original Squamish communities and as such, holds a mix of older character homes, ranchers with large lots, and modern high-end townhomes. You should be able to find virtually everything you need here and has become one of the prime spots to live for young families. It is one of the more affordable neighbourhoods in Squamish.

• Downtown Squamish

Squamish has a vibrant downtown core with several local shops, restaurants, boutiques, and more.
Many newer housing developments surround the town centre, many offering great views of Howe
Sound or the Stawamus Chief Mountain. Homes vary to include small to large, single- and multi-level, duplexes and more. The Waterfront is developing both commercial and residential units and living in this area gives great access to a trail network and ocean sports.

• Garibaldi Estates

Found in Central Squamish, Garibaldi Estates has something for everyone, including the Garibaldi Village Mall with its grocery stores, restaurants, clothing boutiques, and medical and dental services. You’ll also find stores such as Mark’s, Dollarama, Canadian Tire, and London Drugs. This is a well-established are known for larger lots and you will find single family homes, townhomes, and apartments.

• Garibaldi Highlands

Referred to locally as simply The Highlands, these properties are located along the hillside, offering
stunning views of the valley, the mountains, and Howe Sound. Older character homes can be found here along with multi-million-dollar designer homes and mountain biking trails and parks are within easy reach.

• Northyards

This up-and-coming neighbourhood is a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. It takes its name from the Railway Heritage Park. Development in recent years has drawn in younger families who enjoy proximity to schools and shopping and a friendly, active community. Housing includes new builds, character single-family, duplexes, townhomes, and multi-family.

• Tantalus

Townhouses, single- and multi-family homes, and condos are available in Tantalus, which adjoins the
Garibaldi Highlands. At the north end of Tantalus Road lies Skyridge, made up of new construction
homes, condos, duplexes, and townhomes.

• Valleycliffe

At the south end of Squamish, Valleycliffe is nestled along the Stawanus River. It is popular for its
relative proximity to Vancouver and Downtown Squamish, as well as its hiking and rock-climbing routes. Offering family homes and apartments, Valleycliffe is made up of Valleycliffe proper, Crumpit Woods, and Hospital Hill, named for its proximity to the Squamish General Hospital.

Developing Areas

Subdivisions have increased the supply of single detached homes in Valleycliffe and next to Brennan
Park. The addition of Quest University is driving the development of new housing above the Mamquam
River. Even Downtown continues to see the development of condos and townhomes and the Squamish
Oceanfront development will see the waterfront and downtown core revitalised.

Squamish is booming and for good reason. With its stunning views, excellent location, and friendly
communities, Squamish is hard to beat.

For more information about Squamish properties for sale, please contact us today.

Looking for a new home with lots of space and great views? You’ll be hard pressed to find a more suitable location than Squamish. There are many reasons why you might want to live in Squamish, but there are a few things to keep in mind as you start (or continue) your search for Squamish properties for sale. Here are 4 tips on Squamish properties for sale.

Understanding the Lure of Squamish

Squamish has plenty to recommend it as a place to live which is why it’s booming as a destination for homeowners. Some of the most obvious reasons it’s attractive are the stunning views, the natural beauty that pervades the entire region, and the proximity to other locations. Vancouver, for example, is only a scenic 45-minute drive away, while the slopes of Whistler are even closer at just 35 minutes. 

The great outdoors in Squamish just calls for you to engage in all your favourite outdoor activities, whether you want to go mountain biking, or simply take a stroll to check out the sights. Chances are good that you’ll not want to spend much time indoors. 

Squamish is more than just gorgeous scenery, however. You’ll find shopping, fine dining, excellent schools for your little ones, and much more, in a close-knit community that is ready to welcome you home.

Is Squamish Right for You?

Deciding where to live is a very personal decision. So, it’s more than understandable why anyone would want to live in Squamish but consider if it’s the best location for you. It very well could be but given the emphasis on the natural surroundings and related activities, those who have little to no interest in the outdoors may find that it is a pricey option considering they are not benefiting from something so integral to the location.

Of course, even if you are not one to engage in extensive outdoor recreation, there are still many activities that might appeal to you such as the Britannia Mine Museum, the Railway Museum of British Columbia, or visiting a local brewery. 

So, to answer the question, Squamish is almost definitely right for you, with something to offer everyone.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Neighbourhood?

When moving to a new area, you will want to check out the different neighbourhoods to see what each one has to offer. Squamish has 5 neighbourhoods for your consideration:

• Brackendale is found in the northern region of Squamish, about 10 minutes from downtown. It is nestled in a valley with the Squamish River cutting a pathway through the area.  This part of Squamish has beautiful homes and commercial businesses, including coffee houses, restaurants, and a few pubs. It is a great neighbourhood for walking, biking, and hiking.
• Garibaldi Highlands features streets lined with trees, and single-family homes with large yards. As the name suggests, the Garibaldi Highlands are located in the mountains overlooking Squamish. Bike paths and walking trails abound, and the Squamish Valley Golf Course is nearby, but you may be content staying home if yours is one of the many houses with a view of the ocean, Squamish Valley, and the picturesque mountains.
• Valleycliffe is the furthest south, making it the ideal neighbourhood for those commuting to Vancouver. While the opportunity to save time on the commute is a selling point, so, too, are the large family homes and wonderful views. Houses are a mix of old and new, but all equally inviting.
• Central Squamish is comprised of Tantalus, the Garibaldi Estates, the Brennan Park area, and the Northyards/ Dentville. This mix of residential and commercial properties offers townhomes and condos in proximity to shopping and numerous dining options.
• Downtown Squamish has grown rapidly over the years, and continues to develop, providing townhomes and condos for residents. This area offers many shops, coffee houses, and restaurants within walking distance.

Cost of Living in Squamish

Squamish is, admittedly, not the cheapest place to live. Fortunately, the median household income is $89,012, almost $10,000 higher than that of Vancouver. The cost of properties for sale balances well against what Squamish has to offer and the growing interest in living here means that now is the best time to buy a home as property will only be more in demand in the future.