realtylinkonline

Community Information: Squamish

Are you thinking of buying a home in Squamish? Here is community information to help you.

The District of Squamish is located in a scenic valley at the head of Howe Sound, half way between Vancouver and Whistler. Nestled in the Coast Mountains, the community offers small town atmosphere, affordable housing, unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation, and a wide range of amenities.

At present, approximately 15,000 people inhabit the area. This number is expected the BC Stats Web site .

Housing and Zoning

The downtown and six distinct neighbourhoods offer housing ranging from condominiums to executive ocean view homes.

The community is dedicated to the enhancement of its downtown and waterfront area. The intention is to create a lively downtown by encouraging commercial and residential development in the area. For more information see the Official Community Plan.

For current house prices see our Market Tracker.

[top of page]

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

The city offers a variety of retail stores, services, and restaurants to meet the needs of the community and visitors. A list of restaurants is available at the Squamish Chamber of Commerce Web site. As the municipality is striving to develop tourism, the number and the variety of services have been increasing.

[top of page]

Parks and Recreation

Squamish is known as BC's "Outdoor Recreation Capital." The area is world famous for its rock climbing areas. The list of recreational opportunities is endless: sailing, windsurfing, mountain biking, hiking, bird-watching, fishing, mountaineering, diving, boating, golfing, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting. Eight Provincial parks are located in the area and there is an extensive network of municipal parks and trails. More information on the provincial parks is available at the Squamish District of Squamish Web site.

Recreational facilities include an 18-hole golf course and the Brennan Park Leisure Centre with an arena, an indoor pool, and playing fields.

[top of page]

Transportation

Squamish is located 66 km north of Vancouver and 58 km south of Whistler. It is accessible by car, train, bus, and air. Highway 99 provides easy access to the Lower Mainland to the south and to the Interior of British Columbia to the north and east. The community also has rail links serviced by BC Rail, a natural deep-sea port, and a small municipal airport.

[top of page]

Education

Squamish has six elementary and two high schools operated by School District #48.
For school rankings, visit the B.C. Ministry of Education site or contact the School District for detailed school profiles.

Capilano College has a satellite campus here. Information on programs is available at the Squamish Campus Web site.
In the near future Squamish will become home to Canada's first modern private, non-religious university.

[top of page]

Community Services

Squamish has a full range of health services, including a general hospital. There is an art gallery, a public library, a railway museum, a native cultural centre, a community theatre and churches of all denominations.

[top of page]

Other Web Sites

[top of page]