South Cambie, Vancouver: a neighbourhood guide from a local builder
South Cambie is a compact West Side neighbourhood between Oak and Cambie Streets, running from 16th Avenue south to 41st Avenue. Heritage homes from the 1910s and 1920s line many of its streets. Queen Elizabeth Park is on its eastern edge and Shaughnessy is to the west, so it has some of the most central family streets in Vancouver.
Getting around
The Canada Line runs the length of Cambie Street, with King Edward station at 25th Avenue and Oakridge–41st Avenue at the south end. Downtown is about 10 to 15 minutes away by train, and YVR is a direct ride south. Oak Street gives drivers a direct route to the Oak Street Bridge and Richmond, and the R4 RapidBus on 41st Avenue connects to UBC.
Schools
South Cambie is home to Eric Hamber Secondary, one of Vancouver’s best-known public high schools, along with Emily Carr and Edith Cavell elementary schools. Families looking for French-language education have École Rose-des-Vents and École secondaire Jules-Verne. Catchments change, so check a specific address with the Vancouver School Board. For our York and Oak Street buyers, Eric Hamber is the school that comes up most; it sits on Willow Street, a short walk from York.
Parks and recreation
Douglas Park, with its playing fields and Douglas Park Community Centre, sits in the middle of the neighbourhood. Queen Elizabeth Park, the city’s highest point, is right next door, and Oak Meadows Park fronts Listraor’s York community. Our York owners love Oak Meadows for its walking paths and open lawn right across the street.
Health care and jobs
South Cambie has one of the city’s largest clusters of medical facilities, including BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital. Vancouver General Hospital is just to the north. For many owners, that means a short walk or bike ride to work.
What’s changing
The City’s Cambie Corridor Plan is bringing new townhomes, apartments and shops to the streets near the Canada Line. On the 21-acre Heather Lands, on Heather Street between 33rd and 37th Avenues, the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations are planning about 2,600 new homes with parks and shops. To the south, the new Oakridge Park has opened with shops and a large rooftop park. South Cambie keeps its quiet residential character while gaining new amenities.
Listraor in South Cambie
York: 29 three-bedroom townhomes at Willow and 37th, fronting Oak Meadows Park. Now selling, move-in ready.
Aston: 12 townhomes on Oak Street near 38th Avenue, with a white-brick façade and a private courtyard. Completed 2017; sold out.
Flora: 12 townhomes at 5444 Oak Street. Completed 2016; sold out.
Bennett: 19 townhomes at 5500 Oak Street. Completed 2016; sold out.
South Cambie gives families a rare mix: heritage streets, top schools and major hospitals within walking distance, and the Canada Line a few blocks away. All four of our communities here sit within a few blocks of each other, around Oak Street and 37th Avenue.
Now selling nearby: Rhodes, condos overlooking Queen Elizabeth Park.
More neighbourhood guides: Oakridge, Queen Elizabeth Park, Marpole, or see all neighbourhoods.
