Lynn Valley

Lynn Valley sits at the centre of the District of North Vancouver, in a broad valley carved by Lynn Creek between the Cypress and Mount Seymour watersheds. It's the archetypal North Shore family neighbourhood — tree-lined streets of post-war character homes on generous lots, newer townhouses along Mountain Highway, a town centre with a library, grocery stores, and restaurants at Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway, and the Lynn Canyon Park entrance just a few blocks east. For families with kids who want to live in a neighbourhood where you can walk to a trailhead, Lynn Valley is probably the best choice on the North Shore.

The Lynn Valley Town Centre has been steadily redeveloping over the past 15 years — newer mid-rise buildings have replaced some of the older 1960s strip mall, and the Lynn Valley Library (a striking contemporary building designed by Diamond Schmitt) is a real civic asset. The area is compact enough that you can walk to the grocery store, the library, the coffee shop, and the trail network without getting in your car, which is rare for District of North Vancouver neighbourhoods.

Schools are a big draw. Argyle Secondary, the local high school, is consistently ranked in the top decile of BC public schools, and its feeder elementaries are equally strong. Rental stock is limited since Lynn Valley is mostly owner-occupied, but townhouses and secondary suites are available — expect $2,500–3,200 for a 3-bedroom townhouse, $1,800–2,300 for a basement suite. Transit is modest (the 228 and 229 buses run to the SeaBus) so plan on a car-oriented lifestyle.