Richmond, BC
About
Richmond, located in British Columbia's Lower Mainland, is a unique island city surrounded by the Fraser River and the Strait of Georgia. Known for its diverse cultural landscape, proximity to Vancouver International Airport, and growing urban development, Richmond offers residents a distinct lifestyle with a strong sense of community and rich multicultural heritage.
Richmond has evolved into a vibrant suburban city with a population of approximately 210,000 residents. While it ranked 129th out of 415 Canadian cities in the latest MoneySense "best Canadian cities to live" rankings, it stands as the 12th best city within British Columbia. The city's appeal lies in its unique geographic position, robust economic opportunities, and diverse cultural landscape that reflects its large immigrant population.
Market Statistics
Active Property Inventory: 1,556
Average Days on Market (DOM): 78 days
Average Price per Square Foot: $1,426 CAD
Average Sold Price: $2,357,509 CAD
Sales to Active Listings Ratio: 11.7%
Rental Market Metrics: $4,063 CAD
Median Sale Price: $350,000 (+9.6% year-over-year)
New Listings Growth: 14.0% (compared to previous month)
Average Time on Market: 20 days
History & Culture
Richmond's history is deeply connected to its waterfront location, with Steveston Village serving as a window into the city's past as a fishing and cannery hub. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site and Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site preserve this maritime heritage, offering visitors glimpses into the lives of early settlers and workers.
The city's cultural landscape reflects exceptional diversity, with nearly 60% of residents identifying as immigrants. Richmond boasts one of North America's largest Asian communities, evidenced by the Golden Village district, authentic Asian dining experiences, and cultural institutions like the International Buddhist Society's temple.
Richmond's agricultural roots remain visible in preserved historical farms like London Farm, while the Richmond Cultural Centre serves as a hub for arts and culture, housing the Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond Museum, and the city's main library branch. This blend of historical preservation and multicultural influence creates a unique community identity that sets Richmond apart from neighboring municipalities.
Climate
While the search results don't contain specific climate information for Richmond, the city shares Metro Vancouver's temperate oceanic climate. Richmond experiences mild, wet winters and moderately warm, relatively dry summers. Its island geography and proximity to both the Pacific Ocean and the Fraser River influences local weather patterns, often resulting in slightly different conditions than neighboring Vancouver.
Cost of Living
Richmond's cost of living is substantial, with the average monthly expenses for a single person who rents totaling $5,406 CAD. This figure positions Richmond in the top 17% of the most expensive cities globally. The median after-tax salary in Richmond is approximately $4,331 CAD per month, which covers living expenses for roughly 1.4 months.
Housing represents the largest expense, with average monthly rent at $2,698 CAD. While Richmond's cost of living is high, the city ranks well for quality of life (90/100), positioning it as the 7th best city to live in Canada and 3rd most liveable city in British Columbia despite its affordability challenges.
Commute Time
Richmond benefits from an extensive transportation network that connects residents within the city and to the broader Metro Vancouver region. The Canada Line rapid transit system forms the backbone of public transit, linking Richmond City Centre to Vancouver International Airport and downtown Vancouver with a commute time of approximately 25 minutes.
A significant recent development is the opening of the Capstan Canada Line Station on December 20, 2024, enhancing transit access in Richmond's growing Capstan Village area. This new station features a larger platform waiting area, expanded street-level concourse, dual escalators, and enhanced digital displays.
Richmond's transportation planning emphasizes sustainable mobility, with an extensive cycling network governed by the Richmond On-Street Cycling Network Plan. The city coordinates with regional agencies like TransLink and the Ministry of Transportation to develop comprehensive transportation strategies addressing future travel demands.
Current transportation improvements include a new bus-only access ramp from Bridgeport Road to Highway 99 southbound and the completion of the River Parkway (River Road Extension) in Fall 2020, which created a new 2-lane road connection between Gilbert Road and Cambie Road.
Schools
Richmond offers diverse educational options with both public and private institutions consistently ranking among British Columbia's finest. According to the Fraser Institute's 2020 school rankings, Hugh McRoberts leads Richmond's public secondary schools with a score of 8.1 out of 10 (ranked 27th of 252 schools provincially).
In the private sector, Richmond Christian School stands out with an exceptional score of 9.9/10, placing it 5th among all 252 ranked schools in British Columbia.
Richmond is also well-served by post-secondary institutions in neighboring cities, including the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, both easily accessible via public transit.
Activities
Cost of Living Comparison
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Report Card
Hear from our clients
“Buying your first home can be a very daunting task especially in today's market. But with Richard's help it was easy. I work approx. 50-60 hours a week and my wife was working 2 jobs and he worked around our busy schedule and met with us where ever was easiest for us. Richard is very knowledgeable. He had an answer for every question we had and was very quick to respond to messages/emails. You can tell that he's passionate about what he does.
We were in the market for a few months and with a little luck mixed with Richard quick work we were able to secure a beautiful home somehow for just under for just under asking. I am very thankful for him helping us start this new chapter in our lives”
“Had an amazing experience having Richard as my realtor. He provided me with an experience that felt personal and helped me get something that best suited my needs. He was very professional and thorough with his research. I highly recommend him.”
“if you want an honest and extremely hard working realtor, definitely choose Richard. We started looking months before we were ready, advised by him which I think also helped encourage us to get more ready, and then when we were ready we knew what we were looking for and how to get it!
Also my partner and I closed on our place in the most inconvenient time, which was during Richard’s honeymoon. Ideally we didn’t have any issues but of course that is never the case and something came up with the seller and Richard was still able to get everything sorted from a different country! I don’t know how many realtors would do that or just pass you to someone else!”
“Richard helped us find our first home!! We were able to get everything we were looking for in a presale townhouse in the Port Moody area. Richard was prompt, professional, and proactive, walking us through every step of the process.”
Do you have any question?
What transportation options are available in Richmond, BC?
Richmond has the Canada Line SkyTrain connecting to Vancouver and YVR, an extensive TransLink bus network, 80 km of bike trails, and readily available taxis.
What are the top attractions to visit in Richmond, BC?
Steveston Village, the International Buddhist Temple, Richmond Night Market, Richmond Olympic Oval, and numerous parks and cycling trails are popular attractions.
What makes Richmond's cultural landscape unique?
Richmond is highly multicultural, with 65% of residents of Asian descent, over 400 Asian restaurants, Hong Kong-style malls, and vibrant cultural festivals.
Where is Richmond located and what is its geography like?
Richmond is south of Vancouver, made up of islands in the Fraser River delta, with an elevation of just one meter and protected by dikes against flooding.
What dining and shopping experiences can visitors expect in Richmond?
Richmond is known for authentic Asian cuisine, the Richmond Night Market, fresh seafood in Steveston, Hong Kong-style malls, and farm-fresh produce.?
