Skip to content
Renanza Realty
Vancouver · Neighbourhood

Kitsilano Real Estate: Living in Kits, from the Beach to West 4th

Kitsilano is where Vancouver's west side slows down: the sand and saltwater pool at Kits Beach, the sunset walk to Jericho and Vanier Park, and a Saturday on West 4th Avenue between cafés, running shops and some of the city's best brunch. Downtown is one bridge away, and UBC is a straight shot west by express bus.

Market snapshot

The Kitsilano market right now

Kitsilano currently has 146 active listings. Most homes for sale are priced between $598K and $2.59M, with a median around $1.10M. Condos and apartments make up the largest share of the market.

146
Active listings
146
For sale
$1.10M
Median list price
$598K–$2.59M
Typical range
$1,101
Median price / sq ft
43
Median days listed
9
New in last 7 days
1997
Median year built

Kitsilano prices by bedrooms

BedroomsActive listingsMedian asking price
147$649K
244$1.08M
328$2.36M
4+25$2.60M

Figures reflect current active MLS® listings and update as the market moves.

Kitsilano real estate holds its value because people who move here rarely want to leave. If you're weighing Kits condos for sale or a character home off the beach, here is what the market actually looks like.

The Kitsilano micro-market

  • Low-rise wood-frame condos: These three- and four-storey walk-ups and elevator buildings, mostly from the 1970s to 1990s, are the heart of the condo market. Check the building's age, envelope history, plumbing and depreciation report carefully.
  • Character homes and conversions: Many pre-1940 houses have been divided into suites or strata duplexes, offering a front door and a yard at less than detached prices.
  • Heritage duplexes and infill: City zoning favours keeping character homes, adding density through duplexes and laneway homes rather than teardowns.
  • Detached homes: Detached homes are scarce and sit at the top of the market. Lots north of 4th Avenue and near the water carry the highest premiums.
  • Arterial corridors and the Broadway Plan: Rental and mixed-use development is concentrated along Broadway and the arterial streets. Expect change near Broadway and Arbutus as the Broadway Subway approaches, while the leafy interior blocks remain protected and low-scale.

Schools and family appeal

  • Kitsilano Secondary: Rebuilt and seismically upgraded, with a strong academic and arts reputation.
  • Lord Byng Secondary: Serves the western edge of Kits toward Point Grey.
  • Elementary options: General Gordon, Bayview, Carnarvon and Henry Hudson, plus French immersion at Lord Tennyson.
  • Daily life: Walkable groceries, community centres, Kits Pool in summer, sailing and kayaking at Jericho, and quick access to UBC and its research campus.

School catchments change. Confirm the address with the Vancouver School Board before you write an offer.

Pros and cons of buying in Kitsilano

ProsCons
Beaches, parks and West 4th within walking distancePrice per square foot is well above the Metro average
Strong long-term demand, so homes hold valueOlder condo stock can come with special levies
Direct express-bus access to UBC and downtownParking is tight; many buildings offer one stall or none
The Broadway Subway will improve east–west transitConstruction disruption near Broadway for several years
Character homes and strata duplexes offer a yard in the cityDetached homes rarely come up for sale
Rental-friendly stratas suit investors and future flexibilityCompetition is high for well-kept, move-in-ready units
Off-market alerts

Get Kitsilano homes before they hit the market

Kits inventory moves quickly, and the best units often sell before anyone sees a sign. Tell us what you're after (a top-floor walk-up, a strata duplex with a yard, or a character home north of 4th) and we'll alert you to:

  • Off-market and coming-soon listings: in Kitsilano.
  • New listings matching your criteria: the day they appear.
  • Price reductions: on homes you've been watching.

A local advisor reviews every match before it reaches you.

Get Kitsilano off-market alerts

What are you looking for in Kits?

We'll only use your details to reply to this enquiry.

Neighbourhood guide

Living in Kitsilano

Kitsilano, known locally as 'Kits,' is a beachfront neighbourhood on the south shore of English Bay, recognized for its sandy beaches, the West 4th Avenue and Broadway shopping strips, and an outdoorsy, health-conscious reputation that dates to its 1960s counterculture era.

Location & boundaries

On Vancouver's west side, it runs roughly from Burrard Street in the east to Alma Street in the west, and from the English Bay waterfront south to about West 16th Avenue. West Point Grey lies to the west and South Granville to the east across Burrard Street.

History

The name honours Squamish Chief August Jack Khatsahlano, whose people were displaced from the area in the early 1900s. Much of Kitsilano was built between 1900 and 1940 as a streetcar suburb, with the original line running along West 4th Avenue; in the 1960s and 1970s it became the city's counterculture hub, and Greenpeace was founded here in 1971.

Lifestyle

The area draws a mix of young professionals, students and families, with an active beach, seawall and fitness culture along the waterfront.

Housing & property types

The housing mix includes character heritage houses, converted and purpose-built low-rise apartments, and newer condominiums, particularly toward the commercial streets.

Shopping & dining

West 4th Avenue and West Broadway are the main shopping and dining streets, lined with boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

Parks & recreation

Kitsilano Beach and its heated saltwater Kitsilano Pool, Jericho Beach, Hadden Park and the seawall provide extensive waterfront recreation, and Vanier Park offers open space and festivals near the water.

Schools

Public schools are run by the Vancouver School Board and include General Gordon Elementary on West 6th Avenue and Kitsilano Secondary on Trafalgar Street.

Getting around

Frequent bus service runs along West 4th Avenue and Broadway, and the Millennium Line's Broadway extension adds Arbutus Station at Broadway and Arbutus Street on the neighbourhood's eastern edge.

Attractions & landmarks

Vanier Park is home to the Museum of Vancouver, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and the City of Vancouver Archives, and Kitsilano Beach is a landmark in its own right.

Community facilities

The Kitsilano Community Centre sits near Kitsilano Beach, and the City of Vancouver Archives operates from Vanier Park.

Who it may suit

May suit those wanting beach access and walkable shopping, from students and young professionals to families in character homes.

Nearby neighbourhoods

Sources: vancouver.ca, destinationvancouver.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, broadwaysubway.ca

Neighbourhood snapshot — Vancouver

Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population for Vancouver, City (CY), British Columbia. These figures describe the city as a whole, not this specific address — useful context, not a substitute for local knowledge. View source

Population

662,248

Total population

+4.9%

Growth since 2016

39.6

Median age

Income

$82,000

Median household income

Household

2.1

Avg. household size

39.2%

Live alone

53.1%

Families w/ kids

Housing

45.5%

Owned

54.5%

Rented

$1,450,000

Median dwelling value

Apartment80.1%
Single-detached house14.7%
Row house / townhouse3.5%
Other1.8%

Education

Highest credential, ages 25–64

Bachelor's degree or higher52.8%
Trades or college diploma23.1%
High school diploma18.7%
No certificate, diploma or degree5.4%

Commute

How residents get to work

Car, truck or van56.2%
Public transit22.9%
Walked13.1%
Bicycle5.3%
Other2.6%

Languages

Mother tongue, top responses

English50.7%
Cantonese11.8%
Mandarin6.4%
Tagalog2.9%
French1.5%

Buying a home in Kitsilano

BC's 2023 small-scale multi-unit housing legislation now allows three to four units on most single-family lots in larger municipalities, which is reshaping what detached lots are worth. Check the lot's current zoning with the municipality, and get a home inspection and a title search before removing subjects.

Budget for BC's property transfer tax on top of the price — it's charged on the purchase and first-time buyers and new builds may qualify for exemptions. See our BC & Alberta closing costs checklist.

Common questions

Frequently asked

If yours isn't here, ask us directly — we'd rather answer it now.

How much does a home cost in Kitsilano?

The median asking price for homes currently for sale in Kitsilano is about $1,100,000, and most are listed between $598,000 and $2,594,000. These figures come from active MLS® listings and move with the market.

How many homes are for sale in Kitsilano right now?

There are 146 active listings on this page's search, 9 of them new in the last 7 days. Listings are updated continuously from the MLS®.

How much is a 3-bedroom home in Kitsilano?

Median asking prices by bedroom count in Kitsilano right now — 1 bedroom: about $649,000; 2 bedrooms: about $1,082,000; 3 bedrooms: about $2,362,000; 4+ bedrooms: about $2,598,000. Based on 144 active listings.

What is the price per square foot for homes in Kitsilano?

The median asking price per square foot of living area is about $1,101 across homes currently listed in Kitsilano. Location, age and building type move this a lot, so compare within a neighbourhood.

How long have homes in Kitsilano been on the market?

The typical active listing here first came on the market about 43 days ago. That's days listed so far, not time to sell, but a long figure usually signals more room to negotiate.

Can non-Canadians buy a home in Kitsilano?

Generally not right now. Since January 1, 2023, the federal Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act has barred most non-Canadians from buying residential property, with exceptions such as permanent residents and some work-permit holders. The ban has been extended before, so confirm its current status and get legal advice on your situation.

Thinking about Kitsilano?

Tell us what you're after in Kitsilano and we'll send matching listings the moment they hit the market.