Sea Island Real Estate & Homes For Sale

Sea Island, one of the larger islands of Richmond, is located south of Vancouver and northwest of LuLu Island. The majority of the island is taken up by the Vancouver International Airport, and this is what typically comes to mind when Sea Island is mentioned. However, tucked in the southeast corner of the island is a small residential area called Burkeville. Home to over 300 houses and about 736 residents, Burkeville offers up something truly unique: a quaint, friendly atmosphere with a secluded and even vintage vibe. The neighbourhood was constructed in 1941 by the Canadian government's Wartime Housing Plan to house Boeing Aircraft of Canada Ltd. workers during World War II. In some ways, visiting Burkeville is like stepping back in time; detached bungalows show the architectural styles of World War II, although many have been renovated or demolished in order for more modern homes to be built on the land. Curvy, narrow streets have been lined with greenery and trees to give the neighbourhood a cozier, more modern look, and most homes feature attractive gardens.

Sea Island Homes For Sale

The homes on Sea Island aren't lavish; most are quite efficient and of average size. This makes them ideal for young couples and families searching for a rural-like area within Richmond offering comfortable but affordable homes. In addition to the look of the neighbourhood, the atmosphere of the neighbourhood is also a step back in time. While Burkeville originally had a sense of unity amongst patriotic Boeing workers, that sense of community and togetherness still exists today amongst neighbours. The children within the close-knit community attend school and play together, while parents have frequent get-togethers and trade parenting duties like picking up and dropping off children for school. As the city of Richmond grows steadily (with a population increase of 9.2% between 2006 and 2011), Sea Island is an area for families and individuals desiring the convenience of the city's amenities but also harbouring a love of privacy, peace and the slow pace of rural areas.

Employment Opportunities

Residents of Sea Island work within the Burkeville community, at the Vancouver International Airport, and in many industries in Richmond. Just a few of the largest industries in the city of Richmond include sales and services, educational services, health care, social services and manufacturing. It's also interesting to note that the technology industry in Richmond is thriving in a big way. In fact, a recent list highlighted the top 100 tech companies in Canada and 15 of the companies listed are based in Richmond. The city boasts a low unemployment rate of just 5.7%, not largely different from the province's rate of 6%.

Shopping/Dining

The McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Mall is the largest shopping option for residents of Burkeville. Located just north of the neighbourhood, it can be reached easily by Templeton St. or Grant McConachie Way. Trendy retailers can be found at this mall, from Armani and Coach to Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap and Under Armour. A couple of different dining options can be found here as well, including Noodle House, Japadog and Caffe Artigiano. Many shops and retail outlets can also be found around the area where Grant McConachie Way circles the airport, including the Vancouver Aquarium Gift Shop, Victoria's Secret, The Sunglass Hut, and the Everything $20 Store. Residents who want to enjoy more of Richmond's variety of shops and stores can access those on LuLu Island within minutes by car.

Transportation

Residents of Sea Island who need to do major travel are just moments away from the Vancouver International Airport, which has been in operation since 1931 and boasts the title of the second largest airport in Canada. More than 19 million passengers pass through the airport each year, taking advantage more than 50 airlines. Exiting Sea Island is very easy for those living here; they can take the Arthur Laing Bridge to SW Marine Drive to access Vancouver, or Russ Baker Way to No. 2 Road or the Moray Bridge to access LuLu Island.

Schools

Families with elementary-age children enjoy the small community, providing them with the ability to walk their children to Sea Island Elementary School, which is such a small school that there isn't even a principal, only a head teacher. The school serves children in grades Kindergarten through 3; after this age, parents must commute to other areas of Richmond to access schools. Richmond offers up 38 elementary and 10 secondary public schools in addition to 3 Montessori schools and 8 schools offering French immersion. Just below the Burkeville neighbourhood is the British Columbia Institute of Technology Aerospace Technology Campus, and Richmond also offers up the Sprott Shaw College and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

The Arts

Although Sea Island doesn't offer up any art galleries or museums, residents can easily and conveniently take advantage of those spread throughout Richmond. It's less than 10 minutes by car to reach the Richmond Art Gallery on LuLu Island, where local and national artists and gorgeous contemporary art is featured. The Gateway Theatre, also very close by, features a rich historical past within Richmond and is the only professional live theater in Richmond. They offer art classes for both adults and children, from musical theater classes to voice lessons and acting lessons. Burkeville residents seeking an artistic adventure can check out the 65+ free public art installations throughout Richmond, like the Water Sky Garden located at the Olympic Oval. Maps with each installation can be found at the Richmond Cultural Centre.

Recreation/Sports

Located in the estuary of the Fraser River, Sea Island features two public beaches where residents can enjoy a variety of recreational activities. McDonald Beach is located at the northern end of Sea Island, and residents can take advantage of the picnic areas and boat docking. Iona Beach is in the northwest area of Sea Island, and offers up a walking train into the Sturgeon Bank. In the historic Milltown area, the Milltown Marina is an excellent option for entertainment. Closer to home, the Burkeville neighbourhood Park provides a huge variety of outdoor fun for residents. The 3.17-acre park follows a historic slough and offers up a full-size basketball court, a tennis court, 2 playgrounds, picnic areas, restroom facilities and even a wading pool for small children.

Investing in Sea Island Real Estate

Sea Island is really the perfect place for individuals and families desiring all the urban amenities Richmond has to offer, but value the benefits of a very small, tight-knit community. Thought of as the "Mayberry" of Richmond, Burkeville has a very strong community watch program which has resulted in it having one of the lowest crime rates in the lower mainland. Residents enjoy a variety of community events, from the Spooky Jordan's Haunted House during Halloween to the tradition of Santa driving through the neighbourhood in a fire truck during Christmas. With affordable homes, pleasant neighbours, and a family-friendly community, there has never been a better time to invest in Sea Island real estate.

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This representation is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy is accurate and complies with our Rules of Cooperation.

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Listing information last updated on February 19th, 2025 at 9:16am PST.