Richmond, BC: Pros and Cons of the City
Located directly south of Vancouver, Richmond is best known abroad for Vancouver International Airport, which sits on Sea Island and is part of the city. Each year, over 25 million people pass through the airport to various destinations around the world. However, beyond the airport, Richmond is a beautiful city in its own right. When people are looking at homes in the Vancouver area, Richmond invariably comes up as an option to explore.If you're thinking about moving to Richmond, BC, here are some pros and cons that you'll want to consider first!
Pro: Richmond Is Close to the Downtown Area
Richmond sits south of Vancouver, directly across the Fraser River. Without traffic, commuting from anywhere in Richmond to downtown Vancouver should take no more than 20-30 minutes. In rush-hour traffic, that number will rise, but several public transportation options help mitigate that. The Canada Line skytrain runs from Richmond to downtown Vancouver in about half an hour, even during peak traffic.
Being directly south of Vancouver has some other unexpected benefits. If you travel to the US frequently, you're a little closer to the border. Richmond is also enough of a suburb that there are homes with driveways and adequate parking if you're the type of person that wants to have a car (or multiple cars). Of course, having the airport in the same city helps if you travel a lot for work or leisure.
Therefore, if you work in the downtown area, travel, or want a suburb with plenty of space for a yard and vehicles, it's hard to beat the convenience that living in Richmond provides. The city of Vancouver and the entire world is very accessible.
Con: Richmond's Home Prices Are High
There's no avoiding it. Much like the rest of the Vancouver metropolitan area, Richmond has also experienced a price surge. The average price for a detached home is $1.6 million now. For a townhome, that figure decreases to $913,000. Condos run at about $550,000.
It is worth noting that these prices are about 60% of what you would pay for similar properties in Vancouver. By locating about 30 minutes south, you can save hundreds of thousands in housing prices. Even people who want to be close to the city often find the short commute a worthwhile tradeoff to save on housing.
However, while these residences are certainly cheaper than Vancouver's, that doesn't make them inexpensive. With that said, the home prices in Richmond have held their value well. Since Richmond is always in demand, it's easy for home sellers to command higher prices just due to supply and demand. So even though the home might be costly, it's most definitely not money lost.
Housing costs are certainly a con, but the same issue applies to practically everywhere else in the Vancouver area.
Pro: Great Food, Great Schools, Great for Families
Richmond is a great choice for raising a family. There are plenty of exceptional schools within the city borders, ranking seven or better on Fraser Institute's school rankings website. The best part about these schools is that they are mostly public so you won't have to pay exorbitant tuition fees to give your children a quality education.
The food in Richmond is also superb. There's cuisine from every culture, and most restaurants in Richmond are the best. If you want Indian, Chinese, Japanese or Greek for example, then Richmond has it all. Some of the top-rated restaurants include Lamajoun, Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle, and Lido.
Richmond has two university campuses from Trinity Western and Kwantlen Polytechnic University(KPU) and Langara college in Vancouver is not too far away
Richmond is also a family-friendly city. Homes tend to have yard space for children, which is a significant benefit of locating in this part of the greater Vancouver area. There are parks, playgrounds, and many fun activities to do with kids. Childcare is also quite accessible in Richmond. It's a part of Vancouver built with families in mind!
There are several parks and trails nearby and I highly recommend, Minoru Park,Garden Point Park and Iona Beach Regional Park to name a few.
Con: Crime in Richmond Is Rising
Crime in Richmond isn't bad per se, but it is on the rise, at least according to the latest data available. In 2018, Maclean's published a report ranking Canadian cities on crime. Out of 229 spots, with one being the highest and 229 being the lowest crime, Richmond came in at position 85. It's certainly not the worst place in Canada, but it's also not the best either.
However, with that said, Richmond's crime rate is much lower than in other places in British Columbia. Langley City, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Surrey, and Vancouver all rank higher for crime than Richmond does. Cities like Delta and West Vancouver have less crime than Richmond.
Most people will feel perfectly safe in Richmond, so this isn't a significant issue, but it would be fantastic to see that trend downward in the coming years.
Con: Flood plain
You may hear that Richmond can be under water one day. I am not a true expert in this field however Richmond is not officially designated as a flood risk but it is on a flood plain. The last time any flooding occurred in Richmond was back in 1948. However , it is surrounded by water and the City has implemented a comprehensive diking system to prevent a major catastrophe so if you move to Richmond, rest assured that the City has put preventative measures in place.
Pro: Steveston Village and West Dyke Trail
The West Dyke trail is one of the most beautiful and scenic places in the world. Starting at the south end of Richmond and heading up the coast to the north end, many people use the West Dyke to leave the hustle and bustle of the city. It's a very relaxing walk and a great way to start the day!
Of course, when thinking of attractions in Richmond, Steveston Village is at the top of the list. This little fishing town within Richmond has pubs, fish and chip places, museums, and a fish market! It's a perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends. They have some of the best fish and beer in Vancouver.
Pro: Shopping
Richmond has the Richmond Centre Mall, Lansdowne Centre, and the newly built McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. Also if you are a Tesla Driver, Richmond is also home to one of several Supercharging stations in the lower mainland which is located at the Richmond Centre Mall.
Richmond Has a Very High Quality of Life
Richmond is one of the best suburban cities in the Vancouver area. With cheaper housing than Vancouver, lower crime, fun things to do, and a family-friendly atmosphere, Richmond should be one of the places that you consider if you're looking at moving here. If you enjoy trails, fantastic food, lots of entertainment and shopping options, and magnificent homes, you'll love Richmond, BC! Not to mention having an international airport is very convenient.
If you're interested in Richmond, please give me a call or contact me on my site. I would love to answer any questions you may have about the area and help you find your dream home, whether in Richmond or elsewhere in the Vancouver area.