Uptown Real Estate & Homes For Sale
New Westminster’s key eras of progress are evident in its mystifyingly cohesive mix of historical and modern architecture. Stately Victorian homes stand comfortably next to modern condos and mid-century ranchers. The neighbourhoods that sprang up around Queen’s Park around the turn of the century border areas that are entering intense revitalization centring around the rapid transit that’s made this city one of Vancouver’s choice suburbs.
The Uptown neighbourhood of 7,650 (2006) is one of the city’s best examples of the link between new and old. Several tree-lined “Leave-it-to-Beaver” style suburbs and two of the town’s best parks are steps away, but Uptown itself is one of the city’s distinctive commercial hubs where classic single family homes rub shoulders with new apartment and condo developments. The majority of Uptown’s residents are single young adults living in apartments.
Uptown Homes For Sale
- All Listings
- Over $1,000,000
The area was originally built up around the commercial hub of “6th and 6th,” which was anchored by Woodward’s department store in the 50’s. The neighbourhood gained more prominence as the new home of the public library in 1958 and the main shopping centre evolved into Royal City Centre Mall, which is now the city’s main shopping mall.
New West shares its mild temperate rainforest climate with the rest of Metro Vancouver. The city gets about 2,000 hours of sunshine each year and 111cm of rain. Temperatures range from 6°C to 22°C.
Employment Opportunities
Much like the rest of the city, Uptown’s residents are most likely to be involved in the sales and service industry. Uptown residents are also 5% more likely than residents from other areas to work in the trades, transport and equipment sector.
The city’s largest employer is the Royal Columbian Hospital, followed by TransLink and Douglas College as significant sources of local jobs.
Since five local rapid transit stations have been built across the city, it’s easy to commute to jobs in other nearby communities and Vancouver proper.
Shopping
Uptown’s quickly becoming one of the area’s favourite shopping districts. Residents can discover local independent businesses like Black Bond Books or shop at the mall, which also has a Safeway and several medical services located inside.
The Uptown Market is a new food shop that offers fresh local produce, a deli and butcher shop, a florist with a greenhouse, and high-end gourmet groceries.
Dining
The area’s proximity to 6th and 6th means any kind of dining from Malaysian Laskas to local comfort food from the funky and familiar Coming Home Cafe is right outside your door. Of course, coffee shops and pubs abound. Sixth Street Grill has great fries and all day breakfast, and River’s Reach is a dark-wood-paneled sports pub with plenty on tap.
Transportation and Ease of Access
New Westminster is located in the geographic centre of the Metro Vancouver region, so the SkyTrain local rapid transit line makes it easy to quickly visit neighbouring communities. The train can reach Vancouver proper in under 30 minutes.
Uptown residents are less likely to drive cars and 4% more likely than others in the city on average to walk or cycle to work (2006). The city’s main busline has multiple stops along nearby 6th Avenue, so all of the city is within easy reach via public transportation.
Schools
New Westminster has one high school, two middle schools and ten elementary schools. New Westminster Secondary School is one of the largest high schools in the province and offers many special programmes in arts, sports and academics. The school is a magnet for students seeking access to the International Baccalaureate Programme.
Colleges near New Westminster are Douglas College (right in town), Burnaby’s Simon Fraser University and Vancouver’s University of British Columbia, which is 31.7km away by car.
The Arts
Massey Theatre, located in the nearby Moody Park area, is a great place to take in a play, concert or musical theatre production. The Bernie Legge Theatre is also located nearby in Queen’s Park and hosts the oldest community theatre group in the province.
Uptown Live! is an annual festival that takes place on Uptown streets highlighting local indie music groups. The festival has sights on expanding to a regional festival with more stages and attendance of more than 50,000.
Recreation and Sports
The city’s focus on fostering a healthy and active community is evident in its exceptional development of local parks. Moody Park has an outdoor pool and the area’s youth and senior recreation centres.
Queen’s Park defines Uptown’s eastern border and acts as the recreational and cultural centre for the entire city. It’s become a destination for the region as a splendid green space with many available activities like courts and fields for sports matches, a spray park and petting zoo for kids, and venues for theatrical productions and local festivals and celebrations.
The Outdoors
There are 48 (and counting) parks within New West’s borders, resulting in 10% of the city’s land being dedicated to recreational activities. For bikers, joggers and walkers, trails wind through the parks as well as along the waterfront on the boardwalk and around the perimeter of Queensborough across the river.
Burnaby Lake lies 7km north of the city limit and offers a great getaway for a picnic, kayaking adventure or wildlife viewing excursion.
Investing in Uptown Property
New Westminster’s housing market in general is in a unique transformative period, which translates to an abundance of incredible property deals. In many cases, the same home in bordering Burnaby would easily cost $200,000 more.
New West was among the top then cities in BC for growth from 2006-2011. The recent revitalization and development of Uptown has been a strong factor in the city’s growth as a whole, making the neighbourhood a favourite entry point for businesses and people to join the community.
What's your home worth?
Get a FREE Comparative Market Analysis in today's market.
