Why South Surrey is the ideal Metro Vancouver neighbourhood for families

Let’s face it; buying a new home is a huge step for anyone, and it’s something that requires plenty of consideration, especially when it comes to the location.

Whether you’re moving with your family or if you’re planning to start one of your own, you’ll want to invest in a place that’s got everything you need. And you’ll find this in the neighbourhood of South Surrey.

Located just a short trip outside of Vancouver, South Surrey is arguably one of the most desirable communities for young families. It’s a flourishing pocket of Metro Vancouver where you can enjoy an enriching lifestyle, without the bustle you’ll find downtown. Plus, Surrey was ranked as one of the best places to invest in real estate in British Columbia in 2017, as reported by the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN).

Now Portrait Homes has launched their newest development, Viridian in South Surrey’s upscale Rosemary Heights neighborhood. To help you see why moving here could be what your family is looking for, we’ve rounded up six things that come with South Surrey life.

Better value for your real estate dollars

Homes in South Surrey are being built with much larger floorplans than downtown, and as a result, the value per dollar is much higher. Take for example Viridian, the luxury townhome community that’s currently under construction.

Think of riverside homes between 2,100 and 2,500 square feet at an average price of $450 per square foot, and compare that with downtown Vancouver where the average price is over $1,000 per square foot. (That was painful to type.) So, if you’re looking for more space and value for money, South Surrey is the place to live.

Family-friendly activities and recreation

The neighbourhood is home to Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre -a brand new state-of-the-art aquatic and fitness facility that’s home to an Olympic-size competition pool, a leisure pool with lazy river, diving facilities, a waterslide, hot tubs, steam rooms, and saunas, as well as a fitness and weight room facilities.

Gastronomic delights

Foodies rejoice; South Surrey is full of specialty shops and restaurants that will feed your soul. You can ceck out Mink Chocolate Café for freshly-roasted coffee and artisan chocolate. The largest supplier of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the Fraser Valley, All of Oils, also located in the community. And you can be sure that Meridian Farm Market will inspire your home-cooked meals with farm-fresh produce, local meats, Ocean Wise seafood, gourmet mustards, seasonings, and spices.

From quaint bistros and neighbourhood pubs, to popular mainstays like Cactus Club, The Keg, and Browns Socialhouse, to upscale restaurants such as My Shanti by Vikram Vij, the diverse dining scene has something to suit every taste. And in the summer, you can make the most of seaside dining in the neighbouring White Rock with its landmark pier and vibrant promenade.

Shopping

There’s a wonderful shopping scene in South Surrey and also in the nearby White Rock. The Shops at Morgan Crossing offers a unique outdoor shopping experience in South Surrey with over 60 national and boutique-style stores including Lululemon, Gap, Restoration Hardware, and much more. You’ll be happy to know that you can upgrade your wardrobe within close proximity to your home (always a bonus).

Outdoor adventure

South Surrey is full of urban green spaces where you can enjoy the simplicity and beauty of nature. You can bike the Boundary Bay Trail, a 20-kilometre path extending from Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen to Mud Bay in South Surrey.

Take a stroll through Redwood Park, the largest grove of Redwood trees north of California, a walk along the shoreline of Crescent Beach, or through the spectacular Redwood Park with a large forest of exotic trees, five kilometres of nature trails, and picnic shelters. The kids will love the playground, rustic treehouse, and fairy tale forest.

Hanging at the Beach

Walking along the shoreline of Crescent Beach is rated as one of the top things to do in Surrey which isn’t surprising since there’s eight kilometres of sand to stroll upon and warm shallow water if you want to dip your feet in. You can go swimming, paddle-boarding, or try your luck at crabbing.

And when the tide goes out, explore the tide pools, try your hand at skimboarding, or take a walk along the shoreline. Of course, there’s also the option to spend a day relaxing day at the beach, building sandcastles and enjoying a picnic lunch. FYI, there are some great dog-friendly beaches for your four-legged friend, too!

Education

Naturally, education is a key consideration for parents with kids, and South Surrey offers excellent public and private schools. In South Surrey, there are a number of preschools and daycares operating in the area that are affordable and have fewer wait lists than in Vancouver.

There’s also the consistently top-rated independent K-12 Southridge School. Surrey schools offer a variety of specialized programs for students; French immersion, fine arts, Montessori, and EKOLogy outdoor learning. Semiahmoo has an international baccalaureate diploma (IB) program, and Earl Marriott Secondary School has a great drama program. Additionally, a new elementary school and high school have been approved for Grandview Heights.

It’s connected

When you’re buying a home you’ll want to make sure that it’s in a well-connected area. South Surrey Park-and-Ride is a major bus loop with routes connecting White Rock and South Surrey with routes to Vancouver via Richmond (Bridgeport Station), as well as routes to Surrey Central and King George. Venturing farther afield is simple with Highway 99 giving you access to the Peace Arch border crossing, Downtown Vancouver and surrounding areas of the Lower Mainland.

Luxury homes

Viridian homes feature covered outdoor decks with natural gas fireplaces, open concept designs for entertaining, side-by-side garages, and natural beauty right in your backyard.
With move-in ready homes available, you can make Viridian your family’s home right away!