New West residents recently shared their thoughts on what makes the city special and what sets it apart in Metro Vancouver.
People don’t often talk about New West, which is partly why folks were so surprised when The Price is Right nearly awarded a contestant a trip to the Metro Vancouver city.
Phillip only lost the trip because he overvalued how much a trip to New West was.
It doesn’t feel like New West residents were overvaluing their city when declaring what makes it stand out in Metro Vancouver.
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One common theme in the sentiments shared by New Westminster residents is that the city strikes a balance between a small-town vibe and big-city qualities. Looking at population alone, it’s arguable whether or not it qualifies as a big city. The 2021 census indicated that New Westminster had a population of approximately 80,000, representing an 11.2 percent increase from the 2016 population of 70,996.
With the city being a more affordable option for renters compared to its Metro Vancouver counterparts, it’s reasonable to suggest the population has grown more since the 2021 numbers.
“I grew up in a small town, and I find that New West has the same vibe – lots of community events with familiar faces. That’s why I like it,” one Redditor said in this thread.
“Absolutely. I go for an evening walk and have a number of people I nod and say hello to in the hood. Feels like my hometown,” someone responded.
One of the community events that some local artists are gearing up for is the New West Cultural Crawl, which takes place between Oct. 4 and Oct. 5. This year, Braid Studios and Arts New West are announcing the launch of the U-Haul Gallery, which organizers call a groundbreaking addition to the crawl.
A sense of community is what sets it apart for other residents.
“Being close to larger cities without being in the thick of the busyness, skytrain/transit connectivity, and the fact that New West started as an urban center, so it doesn’t feel like a suburb.”
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Someone expressed they felt a sense of community in another way, saying, “We know every dog and their walker within a 2-3 block radius.”
Others find New West charming.
“It has a quaint charm but also feels a lot bigger than it is. For example, Coquitlam or Surrey are much more dead and not as walkable. Coquitlam feels like a ghost town at times, despite all the new development.”
One person simply said, “Queen’s Park!”
Queen’s Park is a true gem that locals would probably like you to avoid.
Someone reflected on New West’s history, suggesting that the City should lean into it more.
New Westminster was founded as the capital of the Colony of B.C. back in 1858. At one point, it was the biggest mainland city in BC until Vancouver’s population surpassed it.
There are still many historic buildings standing today that demonstrate history, such as the Irving House, built in 1865.
Whether you’re a resident or not, what do you like about New West?
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