I’ve been living in Kits for almost 20 years and the 2 things that attracted us to the area were the diversity and the wonderful things to do.
If you’re young and single, Kitsilano is the best place in Vancouver to meet people. From the world-class restaurants and bars to the extraordinary beaches, Kitsilano is the place to be…and to be seen. All styles, body shapes, sexual persuasions and cultures are represented here which contribute to the wonderful pageantry of diversity that makes us Kits.
If you’re a newly married couple with a baby on the way then Kitsilano was made for you. From the myriad of baby stores (including the very first one in Kits called Crocodile) to the Starbucks Dads that meet each day for a walk with their babies to the beach… you just haven’t done baby until you’ve done Kits.
For families with young children, Kitsilano offers a wide variety of camps to choose from.Just hop over to Granville Island and your child can enroll in ocean kayaking, theatre arts, visual arts, beach camps or biking and sailing camps. A very outdoor oriented community means that the kids get to be outside and burn off that excess energy before coming home. Too wonderful!
For those of us with teens or pre-University children we are fortunate to be raising our kids in a community that inspires them to grow into globally conscious citizens. From cradle to grave, volunteerism is big in Kitsilano and as such there are plenty of opportunities for our younger generation to learn under the tutelage of great ones. Kitsilano is the birthing place of Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation and we are proud to be activists for what we believe in. Your young leader can sign up to volunteer at the David Suzuki Foundation and exercise their ability to make a difference in their world.
If you are of retirement age or older Kitsilano offers a great variety of senior events, assisted living homes (complete with pool tables and fun outings), socials and legions. There’s truly nothing better than going to the Billy Bishop’s on a Friday night for a huge meal and a good solid pint followed by stories from 80 year olds who can whip the pants off any 20 year old on the piano, in a dog fight or in a pool hall. You’re just not a well-rounded Kits lad/lass unless you’ve sat down with a senior in the neighbourhood and heard their version of Kitsilano. Just a hint… we’re tame compared with the stuff they did on the weekends here in our beloved community… they put us to shame with their ability to party, build, work and make babies.
Never at a loss for things to do… Kitsilano is the place to be at any age. Our beaches, culture and openness attracts a wonderfully diverse range of people which gives us a cosmopolitan feel within a small village. It’s definitely something to see if you’ve never been here before. Welcome home.
Last modified: June 12, 2008
Sure, Kits is all those things. But answer this: where the hell are people with kids getting the money to live in Kits? We’re a young married couple that is loathe to leave but find we absolutely cannot shell out $700,000 or $800,000 for a townhouse or dilapidated “starter” home here. We own our own Condo in Kits and have now sold it 2 years after buying it for almost $100,000 more than we paid for it. Even with that extra money we’ve earned there is no way we could afford something to have even one child in. We’d love to have our kids here, but again, we’re not one of the elite people that can afford it. It’s too bad that this city is becoming for renters and the very wealthy.
I hear your dilemma Michelle. It is difficult to own in Kitsilano with prices of real estate as high as they are. It sounds like you were able to benefit from the real estate market and that’s a wonderful thing. You are lucky to have some options ahead of you. Your intention to raise children here speaks highly of the neighbourhood and what it has to offer. It’s also a good way to learn about what it is you value most in a community. Is it the schools, proximity to downtown, beaches, University, shopping, restaurants, churches, open-mindedness etc.? This may give you insight when looking at a new community. As for the question how are people making enough money to live here? I can’t speak for everyone however…in my circle of friends within a 3 block radius I know of 3 lawyers, a nurse, a firefighter, 2 bar owners, a scientist, an activist, 2 successful band members, a government official, 2 executive coaches a furniture store owner and a realtor. Some own, some rent and some live in wonderful co-ops. All are happily raising kids in the Kitsilano village community.