Thornhill Real Estate & Homes For Sale
Situated along the south slope of Grant Hill in the city of Maple Ridge is the neighbourhood of Thornhill. A beautiful area with a rural vibe and private yards, Thornhill forms the western part of Whonnock, a historical Maple Ridge community. Though it is located amongst some of the most historical areas of Maple Ridge, Thornhill is a fairly new community, only being settled after World War I, when Japanese farmers relocated here and began to utilize the land. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Thornhill’s growing population of school-aged children demanded a school, and Thornhill Elementary was constructed in the centre of the neighbourhood. Not long after, the Thornhill Community Hall was built. Though the elementary school is no longer operational, the community hall is still the hub of the neighbourhood.
The residents of Thornhill have always been a vibrant, proud group, enjoying their tight-knit community and easy access to all of Maple Ridge’s amenities, not to mention some of the most breathtaking views in the entire city. Maple Ridge’s population is growing quickly; they experienced a 10% population increase between 2006 and 2011. As the area continues to grow, development will increase in the Thornhill neighbourhood. Until the city reaches 100,000 residents, though, the area will remain a neighbourhood of wide open spaces, plenty of greenery, and a feeling of exclusivity. Even as the area starts to grow, the city can be expected to retain the charm and rural feeling Thornhill is known for.
Thornhill Homes For Sale
- All Listings
- Over $1,000,000
Employment Opportunities
Despite the country-style roads and large property sizes of Thornhill, it is certainly not “out of the way.” Professional residents who commute to other cities for work enjoy fairly short commute times; they can reach downtown Vancouver in less than 45 minutes, and the neighbouring cities of Coquitlam, Langley and Surrey in 15 minutes or less. Those who spend all day in the city with the hustle and bustle, the noise and traffic, enjoy coming home to a peaceful neighbourhood with plenty of room to breathe and magnificent views. Plenty of Thornhill residents work within the city of Maple Ridge, holding jobs in the most popular industries, from sales and services to business and finance, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and technology. The average household income is $91,649 in Maple Ridge, and unemployment is just 4.7%, lower than that of British Columbia as a whole.
Shopping/Dining
When residents are out in their yards enjoying the fresh air or taking a long walk, Thornhill can feel quite remote. However, the downtown area is just minutes away and residents can get there by car or public transportation. Shopping is available at Haney Place Mall and Valley Fair Mall, both of which offer hundreds of trendy stores selling clothing and accessories, shoes, jewelry, health and beauty products and more. Residents can also take advantage of the individual shops and stores in downtown Maple Ridge; antiques, art, jewelry, novelties, and gifts are all available.
Delicious food is a big part of the Maple Ridge area. Residents enjoy a diverse range of options, from traditional Asian cuisine to Greek and Italian fare. Plenty of diners throughout the area offer pub fare like cheeseburgers, fried seafood and hot wings. Some of the freshest and most delicious seafood (especially salmon) is also available in a variety of restaurants. Kingfisher’s Bar and Grill is just a hop, skip and a jump away from Thornhill, and offers delicious seafood and drinks as well as waterfront dining and live entertainment.
Transportation
The Thornhill area, not as developed as the surrounding neighbourhoods, features longer streets and lots of open spaces. It is not, however, difficult to get around. At the eastern side of the neighbourhood, 272nd Street will take residents to Lougheed Highway in the south or Dewdney Trunk Road in the north, both of which are major through-roads in Maple Ridge. The same goes for 240th Street in the west of Thornhill. Although the area is car-dependent, individuals can take advantage of the TransLink buses which run throughout Maple Ridge, offering frequent pickups. Those who need to travel by plane can take advantage of the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, which is just minutes away, or the Vancouver International Airport, which is slightly further and takes about an hour to reach.
Schools
Although one of the first construction projects completed by the residents of Thornhill was the elementary school, it is no longer open, and children in the neighbourhood attend Whonnock Elementary School located on 112th Avenue. It serves approximately 240 students from grades Kindergarten to 7. A historical school, many children who go there each day had parents and grandparents who attended when they were children. A Montessori school is also available in Thornhill for those who would like an alternative for their preschool and kindergarten-aged children. Lakeside Preschool serves three to five year olds, preparing them to attend regular school. Maple Ridge is also home to Sprott Shaw College, Douglas College and BCIT for those requiring higher learning facilities.
The Arts
Residents of Thornhill enjoy a few different options for soaking up the arts. The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is an excellent choice, showing a range of exhibits featuring both emerging artists and established artists from throughout the community and all of Canada. The ACT Arts Centre is an art hub in Maple Ridge, where visitors can catch live shows of all sorts and also enroll in various art classes.
Recreation/Sports
Thornhill and the neighbouring communities enjoy a wide range of recreational activities and options. The neighbourhoods have walking groups, volleyball groups, and even kayaking groups that meet often and enjoy these activities together. A variety of fun is available at Whonnock Lake, including picnic areas, a beach, a playground, and more. Facilities include fresh drinking water and restrooms. A network of trails is also accessible from Thornhill, where residents often spend their time hiking, cycling or just exploring the area; most are accessible from 256th Street.
Those who want a larger variety of options can go outside the neighbourhood, and enjoy all of Maple Ridge’s recreational choices. The UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest features colour-coded trails of different lengths which appeal to hikers and cyclers. The Golden Ears Provincial Park is a haven for those who love horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking, with a variety of trails. Of course, being so close to the Fraser River and numerous lakes and creeks, residents enjoy fishing and a variety of other water sports.
Investing in Thornhill Real Estate
Thornhill real estate has broad appeal. It’s the perfect place for families who want to live in a rural type of setting but still want to be able to enjoy urban amenities and conveniences. Maple Ridge has some of the finest schools in the area, and excellent healthcare is also enjoyed by residents. Investors in the area love finding older gems for affordable prices and renovating in order to earn a return on investment. This activity is sure to increase as the city begins to develop different parts of Thornhill and property values increase. Young professionals who work in congested cities such as downtown Vancouver relocate to Thornhill to enjoy the serenity and peace the neighbourhood provides. Overall, Thornhill has something for nearly everyone, and now is the perfect time to invest in a home in this vibrant, growing neighbourhood.
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