Neighbourhood Guide: Olympic Village ft. W2 Living

Imagine having the best of Vancouver at your doorstep without the hustle and bustle of being downtown. That’s what residents in Olympic Village enjoy every day.

This developing neighbourhood is right next to the Seawall and full of sunny seaside patios with lots of hidden gems to discover. But what’s good in Olympic Village and where’s the best place to live to take it all in?

We are liv.rent and we help renters not only find an incredible place to live but we also help make renting easier and smoother. We adore this neighbourhood and wanted to give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live here.

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In this neighbourhood guide, we’re going to look over everything you need to know about Olympic Village.

Plus, we’re going to share how you can rent in this incredible neighbourhood at W2 Living — the newest rental building in Olympic Village. Featuring premium amenities like keyless entry, 24//7 concierge, and Snaile smart lockers, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in this vibrant area.

Learn more about W2 Living in Olympic Village.

Table of Contents

Location: where is Olympic Village Vancouver?

The Olympic Village neighbourhood is just across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver. It’s about 30 minutes by car or train to the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, and minutes from Downtown Vancouver. It is bordered by:

• The seawall to the North
• The Cambie Bridge to the West
• Main Street to the East
• and West 2nd Avenue To the South

It’s a relatively small and narrow area that has been growing in character and popularity ever since the 2010 Winter Olympics. Athletes Village, an apartment housing complex built originally to house Olympians from around the world, is at the heart of it all.

What is it like to live in Olympic Village?

Favouring apartments and townhomes to single-family homes, the neighbourhood character is still taking shape. Many young professionals and families have moved into the area to appreciate the proximity to Vancouver’s 28 kilometre-long Seaside Greenway.

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Nearby there’s Chinatown, Yaletown, and Mount Pleasant. So, it feels like you’re in the heart of it all when you’re in Olympic Village. Residents here often walk, run, bike, or skate way around the waterfront to explore the city.

There are lots of amenities nearby like schools and recreation centers. Plus, there are tons of options for food and entertainment — and it seems like more come into the neighbourhood every month!

Average house price in Olympic Village

If you were thinking of purchasing a home, there are very few if any detached homes in the area. Instead, it’s dominated by newly built condos and townhomes.

Source: Zolo

Prices for apartments here are just slightly above the June 2021 average of $737,600 reported by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

Schools in Olympic Village

Public education in Vancouver is done through the Vancouver School Board, which runs elementary (kindergarten to grade seven) and high schools (grade eight to twelve) in the City of Vancouver.

Here are the schools that are in and around the Olympic Village neighbourhood:

There are also plans in the works to open an elementary school right in the centre of Olympic Village, although its completion date is to be determined.

The closest post-secondary schools in the area are:

• Emily Carr University of Art & Design
• University Of British Columbia
• Langara College
• Simon Fraser University

Transportation in Olympic Village

Olympic Village is extremely well connected by the TransLink public transportation system including bus routes and a strategically placed Canada Line Station.

The Translink system’s pricing and fare zones include one-way fares from $3.05 to $5.90 depending on your destination. Monthly passes are available from $100.25 for adults.

The area is highly walkable and through the train system at Olympic Village Station, you can easily connect to anywhere in the city. Bus lines also run along the south edge of Olympic Village to UBC.

• Olympic Village Canada Line Station
• 84 UBC Bus Route
• 50 Waterfront Station Bus Route

There are also privately owned ferry services along False Creek that connect you to different parts of the city.

• Aquabus
• False Creek Ferries

Recreation & sports in Olympic Village

The Creekside Community Recreation Centre is a beautiful facility right along the Seawall that serves the Olympic Village neighbourhood. Nearby on Granville Island, there’s also the False Creek Community Centre.

Also, kayaking and dragon boating are popular sport in Vancouver and you can join up to hit the water at Creekside Kayaks or Dragon Zone Paddling Club.

Food & entertainment in Olympic Village

There is no shortage of things to do and places to eat in Olympic Village. Find yourself a sun-covered patio to sip craft beer or grab a coffee and walk along the Seawall. Weekends spend finding the best eats in the neighbourhood are never wasted here.

The best food near Olympic Village

• Earnest Ice Cream — the line wraps around the block for this cult-favourite ice cream place that includes delicious plant-based options.
• Nuba — authentic, fresh, and healthy, it’s one of the city’s top Lebanese spots.
• Faculty Brewing Co. — a local favourite craft brewing watering hole perfect for an after-work pint.
• Super Baked Deep Dish — a super unique Vancouver deep dish pizza spot.
• Glory Juice Co. — whether you want a smoothie, avocado toast, or a latte made with fresh homemade almond milk, this popular healthy eats spot is your new go-to.
• Nook — Italian eats, pasta, and wine make this neighbourhood spot very popular.
• JJ Bean — for those mornings when you just can’t with your coffee maker, treat yourself to a pick-me-up at this cafe.
• BREWHALL — burgers and beers in a barn? Meet your friends for lunch at this pub-fare spot.

Things to do in Olympic Village

• Seawall — the best part about this
• Granville Island Market — walk along the seawall to shop at the iconic market for fresh produce, pasta, and more.
• Dragon boating — or kayaking, or paddleboarding, or take a ferry to downtown. Anything to get on the water.
• Science World — catch an Imax film and take the kids to this exciting learning and play centre.
• Concord Community Park — walk along the seawall to this community park for a picnic.
• Habitat Island — a piece of nature in the heart of the city, this tiny island is worth exploring.
• Olympic Village Square — surrounded by restaurants, visited by food trucks, and dominated by giant bird sculptures, it’s a must-see for locals and tourists alike.

W2 Living

By now, you’ve probably seen how this is the ideal neighbourhood in Vancouver, and W2 Living is the perfect place to call Olympic Village home.

Located steps from the Skytrain Station, these rental homes can be either furnished or unfurnished, making them ideal for newcomers to the city and long-time residents.

There are pet-friendly studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedroom units available now with attractive amenities.

The outdoor community space in W2 Living has expansive and breathtaking views of Vancouver. It’s a perfect sunny hideaway for residents to spend some time gardening, grilling up steaks, or catching some rays.

Outfitted with everything you’d need to maximize life in Olympic Village, this is an incredible opportunity to rent in the neighbourhood.

See all the listings on W2 Living’s liv.rent page now.

After reading this guide, you can consider yourself an unofficial expert in the Olympic Village neighbourhood. When you’re ready to find your new home anywhere in Canada, use liv.rent — we’ve automated the entire rental journey for you to make renting fun again.

Read more Metro Vancouver neighbourhood guides:

1. Richmond
2. Yaletown
3. Main Street
4. Dunbar
5. Chinatown
6. Commercial Drive
7. The West End
8. North Vancouver
9. Marine & Cambie Hub
10. New Westminster Brewery District
11. Arbutus Ridge

Please note that some restaurants and attractions mentioned in this article may be subject to COVID-19 related measures. Before you go, always check for updated information regarding openings and follow all public health guidelines.

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