Live by the Fraser River!

New Westminster is definitely on the up and up! The heritage buildings, riverfront boardwalk, River Market, new restaurants, and craft breweries – it’s a vibrant community that’s great fun to visit. But what about living there?
The Skytrain link makes it easy to get to downtown Vancouver, and living down at the riverfront means so many restaurants, shops, and parks are an easy and scenic walk away. Many families are forgoing backyards and driveways for walkable neighbourhoods and local public greenspaces. There’s something to be said for not having a lawn to mow.
‘It’s new but with some old elements like the boardwalk and vintage street, it’s kind of like Granville Island but a smaller scale and affordable,” says mom Colleen Woods, who just bought a home in Riversky, a development by Bosa Properties. ‘The best feature for me is the boardwalk, it encourages me to go outdoors for a walk or support the local shops.’
Next to the river
It’s easy to forget about the Fraser River when you spend all your time in the other end of the city. Working boats and logs pass along this fascinating waterway that links the Lower Mainland with the interior of the province. The Fraser River Discovery Centre, right next to the River Market, is a firm kid favourite and does a good job of illustrating the history of the River. Plus you can take photos with George the Sturgeon.
River Market
The River Market is a great example of a hub of community activity. Downstairs there are some incredible little shops and restaurants, like Gastown escapee Wild Rice, the only brick-and-mortar location of Reup BBQ, and the incomparable grocery shop Donald’s Market. Filling the lofty spaces of the industrial top floor is the Vancouver Circus School, as well as The Network Hub Coworking space. A hotdesking spot right next to some of the coolest extracurricular classes ever? Yes please.
If the Vancouver real estate market is feeling a bit too intense, maybe it’s time to take a look at our historic former capital city, New Westminster.
This post was sponsored by Riversky by BOSA Properties. Riversky, where your dream of waterfront living becomes a reality. Homes reach for the sky, with endless river and city views. Sunny outdoor lounges on the roof, the Esplanade boardwalk at your front door, the River Market’s shops and restaurants adjacent, and a SkyTrain station within steps.
Images: top image courtesy BOSA Properties, bottom image courtesy the River Market
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Erin McGann is the former Managing Editor for Vancouver Mom and Toronto Mom Now. She drinks just a bit too much coffee, is a bit obsessed about sourcing local food, plays the cello moderately well, spends too much time on Twitter, keeps honeybees on a rooftop, and has a thing for single-malt whisky. Erin is working on a novel set in turn-of-the-century Vancouver, which her husband, son and dog have to hear about all the time, and also blogs at Erin at Large.