Radio Interview With News 1130: Grandview and Fraser Real Estate Markets

Last week we joked around with the boys from Stop Podcasting Yourself. This week I did a more serious interview with the local news station, News 1130.

http://www.news1130.com/2014/05/22/part-of-east-vancouver-seeing-spike-in-home-sales/

Dianne Bankay called me to discuss the recent boom in property sales in the Grandview and Fraser neighbourhoods, in East Vancouver.

These areas have seen significant increases in 2014 and their sales to active listings for detached houses in these two areas were over 100% in April. The Greater Vancouver Area as a whole has been slowly and steadily trending upwards over the past 14 months, with the sales ratio rising from 15 per cent in March of 2013 to its current ratio of 19.7 per cent.

One of the reasons for the increase in sales, as I explained to Dianne, is that the inflated West Side market is out pricing many prospective homebuyers. Families and single professionals looking to buy are directing their attention eastward to neighbourhoods like the Grandview and Fraser areas.

Buyers can buy bigger lots at lower prices east of Main Street. There has also been a boom in construction in the Grandview and Fraser areas. Homebuyers are purchasing newer residences, with all of the modern amenities offered by contemporary buildings. Town-homes, duplexes and condos are giving buyers more options and more reasons to look east. The added value is making this region more and more attractive.

Because of this mini-surge, homeowners have been able to increase their asking price. A $50,000 jump has resulted in the average East Vancouver home selling for $915,000. Not bad for those homeowners looking to downsize or relocate.

The increase in value and the absence of affordable living on the West Side, is certainly making the Grandview and Fraser areas a seller’s market.

The second half of my interview with Dianne Bankay will be aired this weekend. We will be discussing home renovations on the East Side and how they are affecting the Vancouver housing market.

This Week's Overheards

This week I overheard two of my fellow Vancouverites, and their guest, talking about my transit ads on their local podcast channel.

For those of you not familiar with the podcast medium, podcasting is the act of creating lengthy audio files for 'at your convenience listening.' Podcasters sit in tiny rooms and record their conversations. They talk about cereal, wrestling, references from the 90s and Tinder (obsessively).

The specific podcast that referenced my work, was the locally recorded, "Stop Podcasting Yourself;" An appropriately named, but unheeded title. The show is hosted by Graham Clark, a local comic and all-around funny-man, and Dave Shumka, of CBC radio. Each week they have a guest on, who graciously joins them for just over an hour of audio.

Now, about two years ago, Dave and Graham were hosting an episode, sans guest. They came to the point in their podcast where they have a thrilling 'bit' on overheard or overread conversations. On this episode, number 230 (that's a lot of nights of sitting in the basement), Graham read an overread from a young lady in Ottawa who commented on a real estate ad she read on a bus bench. The connection of real estate and transit immediately triggers Dave's memory, as he quickly recalls one of my popular transit marketing campaigns, "Anthea in Transit." Dave explains the ad to the listeners, including a description of the source material, "Poetry in Transit." They make a few jokes about my last name, but all in all, a pretty good plug for my business. Thanks boys.

Fast forward to April of this year, when I receive a phone call from a friend. She tells me that the podcasters are at it again. Apparently my transit piece has made quite an impression amongst Vancouver's funniest people. This time a guest, Warren Bates mentions my static bench ad that has the tagline: "Anthea: The Only Name to Know in Vancouver Real Estate." Dave recalls my earlier transit ads and they all have a laugh at 'low-grade' celebrity.

Well boys, I can laugh with you. My ads are a little bit tongue and cheek, especially the Anthea in transit ones. The important thing to focus on is the exposure. I mean your podcast is heard by dozens of people across the country. That is priceless publicity.

I would also love to take you up on your reality show idea: "Ms. Poon - Can Sell Anything." We could start with Graham's old VHS tapes and move up from there. What do you think? I would offer to do a guest appearance, but the current Vancouver real estate market keeps me busy, pretty much all week.

Alright, back to work. See you in transit,

Anthea

The Gastown Project

Last year, The Vancouver Sun did a special series on the Gastown district, in downtown Vancouver. 

The project developed out of a music series that focused attention on artists living and working in the Gastown area. It then spiraled into a multimedia collaboration, combining the words of Vancouver Sun reporter Andrea Woo and the videos of director and producer Mark Yuen. Their efforts can be viewed at the Gastown Project website. 

The project focuses on the people living in the area, from new tenants, to business developers, to longtime owners like Jim Green, a former MP and a current community developer. The site mixes history with personal stories and displays them against the districts own colourful backdrop. It discusses the areas social housing needs as well as the entrepreneurs who are now rediscovering the vitality of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood. 

This is not the steam clock Gastown your cousins from Winnipeg photographed on their trip out west. This is the community that has morphed into Vancouver's trendiest area, attracting cultural leaders and young professionals from around the world. This is Vancouver's urban dream - an area that respects its past and uses it to paint the future.

If the stories on the website inspire you; if you are looking for a neighbourhood with an actual hearbeat; if cookie cutter condos nauseate you, investigate a life in Vancouver's Gastown district. 

For more information on how to secure Gastown real estate, talk to Anthea Poon.

Cultural Intersection

A neighbourhood is defined by the streets that intersect it;  By the opportunities allowed to its occupants. Take away those intersections and you create a conformist community void of cultural movement. 

A suburban cul-de-sac is a living plan built to limit intersections. By reducing traffic, it removes the movement of people and discourages commercial development. It creates dead-end streets where the only users are the occupants. This is great for parents concerned with vehicle traffic, but highly detrimental for integrated community life. 

Residential planning in the Lower Mainland often favours the cul-de-sac layout to entice young families. These plans offer little for single or double occupancy prospective home buyers. 

For cultural considerations, new homeowners are returning to the mixed residential/commercial neighbourhoods that define the City of Vancouver. 

One neighbourhood that is in high demand, is the Gastown district of Downtown. 

At it's heart, the streets of Alexander, Powell, Water and Carall colide. They form an intersection where vehicle traffic merges and splits. To the sides of the roads, wide walking pathways encourage pedestrian movement to and from the busy eateries, artist galleries and night spots. With room to work, local and visiting street performers play and dance for the public. Commuters jump on and off the SkyTrain and traffic naturally passes through, carrying with it all the elements that help fuel a community.

This is living. 

For more information on new homeownership, contact Anthea Poon. She can help you avoid the dead end suburban lifestyle by offering you a home in this unique district. Call her today for an updated of active listings. 

Walking Distance: Gastown Real Estate

“Walk a mile in my shoes…”

A mile seems like a quite a distance. A block or two is all you would need in Gastown, where everything you desire is at your fingertips; or should we say footsteps.

Hungry? Looking for some quick comfort food? Meat and Bread serves up the ideal sandwich. Their small, but posh eatery was featured on the Food Network’s hit show: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. And it most certainly is not a dive.

Need a date venue? Try the Salt Tasting Room with its small plates and exquisite wine list.

Need to impress the boss? L’Abattoir is the place. We highly suggest the sturgeon carpaccio to start, followed by the scallops. To die for. 

What about an after dinner spot, where you can unwind from the week? The Revel Room has an extensive cocktail list for drinks to sip and a number of quality ales to guzzle. 

Live Music? The Lamplighter will have you on the dance floor. Thursdays are a trip, with Mostly Marley, Vancouver’s premier reggae band. 

Need access to another area in the city? Maybe your legs are tired from spin class? The SkyTrain, like all the other local spots above, is only a block away. 

Now imagine living in this epicenter of food, culture and transport. Anthea Poon can find the perfect Gastown home for your urban experience. Be steps from it all. Walk everywhere. Experience everything. Miss nothing.

-And did we mention the cobblestone… 

Gastown Style

Complex Magazine recently did a feature article on the 50 most stylish neighbourhoods in the world; rolling in at number four was Gastown, in Vancouver.

The article took into consideration the districts' architecture, public and private art establishments, fashion, subculture and food. It sought to quantify the elusive 'vibe' factor that pulls creative and fashionable people together. Once the data was gathered, the list was made.

Beating out districts in Berlin, London, Miami and Stockholm - Gastown came fourth, only behind SoHo in New York, Harajuku in Tokyo and 1st Arrondissement in Paris.

The district's numerous menswear boutiques were one of the reasons for its high ranking. Shops like Vole, a new menswear concept store, provide brands and fashions that can't be found anywhere else in the city.

The site of Vancouver's Jazz Festival helped improve its musical score and restaurants like Boneta, its edible mark.

The article also referenced the Gastown riot of 1971, where a hippy smoke-in led to a violent clash with police. Interesting, that an area with so much history, is also the site of multi-generations of counter culture enthusiasts.

But history inspires and Vancouver, being a relatively young city, needs artistic inspiration. Residential towers offer litlle. Comblestone streets, architecture from the Victorian age and the legend of Gassy Jack elicit the imagination and inspire art that can't be hung on an off-white wall of cookie cutter condo.

The steam clock may pull in the tourists, but the 'vibe' pulls in the artists.

Gastown is the place to be seen. It's the district where new media tools and methods are being created, refined and used to document the creative process. It's the area where chefs want to cook, musicians want to preform and tourists want to replicate.

Don't settle for a souvenir, when you could live in one of the most stylish neighbourhoods in the world. Contact a Gastown real estate agent for active listings in the Gastown area.

Gastown Real Estate

Vancouver has pristine skyline vistas, green spaces aplenty, and a multicultural mix like nowhere in Canada. What some say it lacks, is history.

Just over 125 years old, Vancouver is relatively new, in terms of cities around the world. The massive condo developments in Coal Harbour and Yaletown shape the perimeter of the city. These stylized towers give Vancouver an architectural modernity that some cities only dream of (cough, cough...Calgary).

But behind and to the north of their shadows lies the heart of the city, where cobbled streets tell of a Vancouver much older than the Concord Group edifices. This is where Gastown is located, the historical birthplace of the Vancouver we now know.

It was here that the city was resurrected, after the fire of 1886, the same year Vancouver held its first city counsel meeting. After the fire, new laws were set in place to regulate the materials used in construction. Gastown is a record of this mandate, with buildings built primarily of stone and brick.

Today, Gastown is a thriving mix of shops, restaurants, bars, art galleries and urban living spaces. The stone facade remains on almost all of the buildings, but the interiors are completely redone, offering open living spaces, unconventional commercial plots and tucked away bistros. There is no cookie cutter model. It is up to the owners imagination to take the old and make it the new.

Gastown real estate owners buy a little piece of history when they purchase property amongst the cobblestones. Every building has an open-ended story to tell.

If you are interested in purchasing residential property in Vancouver's oldest and most unique district, contact Anthea Poon. Anthea will find the perfect space for you to call home. 

Evacuation Orders

What a crazy week for natural disasters.

Two days ago there was an earthquake in the Haida Gwai, off the Queen Charlotte Islands, and yesterday was Sally. In case you didn't know, Sally is a massive hurricane which has attacked the East Coast, New York in particular. The American's have dubbed the storm 'Frankenstorm' and it did a massive amount of damage to the city. It completely flooded out the subway system there. Sally led to a widespread evacuation, with an estimated 10,000,000 people exiting the city. The aftermath was eerie, with only the Empire State Building shining any light in the night's sky, like a beacon of hope.

The earthquake in the Queen Charlottes set off a tsunami which was supposed to clobber western Vancouver Island, and be felt as far away as Hawaii. Evacuation orders were given, and in the ensuing scramble, many people wondered if the government had acted fast enough to ensure the safety of its people.

If you are going to live in downtown Vancouver, you will be in a safer place than Richmond. Delta is also built, fittingly enough, on a Delta of sand. If there were to be an earthquake in Vancouver, it is not the downtown which would suffer, it would be those suburbs.

Getting acquainted with the evacuation orders of your neighbourhood is never a bad idea. It's important to discuss with your family what your evacuation plan is, be it earthquake, tsunami, tidal wave or locusts.

There is no doubt that downtown Manhattan real estate has taken a beating in the last few days. If you are from New York, and looking to settle down somewhere a little less dangerous, your downtown Vancouver real estate agent, Anthea Poon, will be more than happy to help you.

Downtown Vancouver Real Estate Agent

I have been a downtown Vancouver real estate agent for over 13 years now. In this time I have sold dozens upon dozens of properties in the downtown Vancouver core. What makes it easier for me is that I speak four languages: English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese. You only need to take a quick walk downtown to realize how valuable these language skills can be. Vancouver is like a modern day ancient Rome. There are literally hundreds of languages spoken here, but by far the most common are English and Cantonese, and I know them both fluently.

Another advantage to having a downtown Vancouver real estate agent is that I understand the city. I am not buying blind from abroad. Nor do I pretend to know the ins and outs of the market here after only residing in Vancouver for a few years. I've been here most of my life. I know this city, from its Expo 86  days, through to the Olympics and beyond.

One serious advantage to buying downtown Vancouver real estate is the land-locked nature of the area. There is water to all sides, and there is only one way to go - up! In both the sizes of the skyscrapers and the value of your property.

Another benefit to owning downtown Vancouver real estate is the convenience. The transportation in this city is fantastic - and very green. If you own a bike, you can easily commute to work on one of the many bike lanes. Or else you can walk. The downtown core of Vancouver is not very big. It's actually comparable in size to Manhattan. But because it is more round, it is even easier to walk about.

Haunted Gastown!

Happy Halloween!

I bet you didn’t know it, but Gastown is one of the most haunted areas of Vancouver. Even BC for that matter. It makes sense, as it is one of the oldest places, but there is something about gaslight, wrought iron, and cobblestones that brings out the old energy of ghosts. Here are a few haunted locations in Gastown.

Water Street Café - It is said that ghosts inhabit the fourth floor of this building, and they can be heard dragging things and thumping on the floors and walls.

Old Spaghetti Factory - Did you know that this Gastown restaurant has not one but two apparitions that haunt it regularly. One is a conductor who likes to sit in the trolly booth and bend knives and forks. The other is a little red mischievous imp who chases ladies in the washroom!

Moores on Granville - It is said that ghosts live in the storage space of this building. They have been known to throw around objects, even packing tape!

Gaelors Mews - This was once the jail. Over 40 men were executed here in the 1800s. Death was by hanging in the cobblestone square on Carrall. Their ghosts are said to haunt the Lamplighter Pub and

Waterfront Station - ghosts have been seen here several times by security guards on night watch.

Dominion Building - The architect of this building still haunts his final creation. On the opening day, J.S. Hellyer tripped on the 8^th floor steps and plummeted to his death. He is said to be seen on that very floor.

Scary stuff, but don’t let it deter you from buying Gastown real estate from your favourite Gastown real estate agent, Anthea Poon! I’ll make sure that your new home is certifiably ghost-free. And if you are selling - make sure you say goodbye to the nice spirits on your way out!

Gastown Real Estate Agent

If you are looking for a Gastown real estate agent who can help you navigate the horrors of this beautiful, yet once-haunted part of town, talk to Anthea Poon.

I have been selling real estate in Gastown for over 13 years. I speak four languages, so no matter what the current owner on Gastown real estate has to say, I can negotiate a deal for you. Even if you are dealing with people from another world.

If you are selling Gastown real estate, I can help you as well. I know the buyers’ market in Vancouver. And with uncertain market conditions on the horizon, not to mention the lowest mortgage rates of all time, it could make good sense to sell off your Gastown real estate now before prices stabilize too much (or even slip lower than usual in boomerang effect).

As scary as this post may be, remember, it’s Halloween! So have some fun tonight.

Luxury Real Estate In Vancouver

If you are interested in luxury real estate in Vancouver, you might be poised at exactly the right time to strike.

Vancouver is quickly becoming a buyers' market, and not just a buyers' market for the rich, a haven for the super rich.

The government recently clamped down on borrowing policies, effectively changing the maximum mortgage time from 30 years to 25 years. This has shown to not only affect entry level buyers, but also luxury real estate in Vancouver. And your competition, who may have been relying on a 30-year mortgage to make the payments work, is shying out of the bid.

Sales have flatlined. This means it is only a matter of time before prices start to drop on luxury real estate in Vancouver. If you catch the wave just right, you will be able to afford yourself a $10 million+ home at incredible value.

September saw the market slump once again. Nothing, not even luxury real estate is moving. It is only a matter of time before the 20% correction that analysts are predicting to come about. If you are ready, it could be the opportunity of a lifetime.

If Manhattan is any indication, luxury real estate will hit unprecedented heights as billionaires clamour for high-end multi-roomed penthouses near the park. Recently a penthouse sold for a record-breaking $100 million. Another seller had his penthouse on the market for $100 million after buying it for $4.5 million just fifteen years ago.

That could be you. The real money to be made is in luxury real estate in Vancouver. To find out more - ask me.

Front Page Of The Vancouver Sun

This was front page news in the Vancouver Sun today:

Metro Home Sales Slump - Prices In Decline

Yikes. It looks like sales have slowed right down in Vancouver. Prices are down a little, but not enough to spur on the next wave of buyers. The hardest hit places in September were the luxury homes in West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Vancouver West.

I think there's a lot of weed-sitting going on. There will be a tipping point, just when sales go down enough, to fuel a buyer frenzy to bring us right back to where we are at now.

If I were a buyer, I'd be on the ready. This is like the stock market - you want to be in early enough to take advantage of a low point, but if you are too slow you might miss your chance.

Keep me on your speed dial, buyers - I can get you in quick before the value jumps faster than Apple with iPhone 5.

604.719.6103

Stop Podcasting Yourself

Our Anthea in Transit ads were featured on the popular blog: Stop Podcasting Yourself.

You can listen to the segment here: Stop Podcasting Yourself. 

Graham Clark is hilarious. Especially the part about the Ms. Poon reality show. It starts at 1:16:45.

West End Realtor

You may have noticed that I have been advertising quite a lot in Xtra these days.

The Pride Parade was a few weeks ago, and I wanted to reach out to all of my West End real estate buyers (in particular). But sellers as well.

People come to this city during Pride (and also the rest of the year) but summer is so fantastic in Vancouver, that they come, fall in love, and wish they could stay forever.

Let me help you make your wish come true. The market has cooled a little, and it's a good time to buy.

Stay a while. Stay forever!

Chinese Realtor in Vancouver

What does it mean to be a Chinese realtor in Vancouver? Everyone asks me if I speak Chinese.

Well, first of all, we need to clarify. There is no Chinese language. For all extents and purposes for all of you here in Vancouver, all you really need to remember is: I speak Mandarin AND Cantonese.

When I say that I buy and sell Vancouver real estate in English, French, Mandarin and Cantonese, it stirs some debate. Some of my Twitter and Google+ followers say that it imperative that new immigrants to Canada speak English.

So I'll add this.

BC welcomes everyone. And I am sure anyone coming here would love to learn. There are language courses, FREE language courses, that new immigrants can take once they arrive.

 The point is moot, anyway, most of my clients speak English as a second language.

 However. If you were going to buy a piece of property, wouldn't you prefer that the transaction was carried out in your first language? There is comfort in speaking your mother tongue. Also, the style of business changes from one culture to the next. I understand the differences between North American and Asian customs. My clients appreciate that I am familiar with their way.

 

New Ads on Vancouver Buses

Chinese Realtor in Vancouver

What does it mean to be a Chinese speaking realtor in Vancouver?

Well, first of all, we need to clarify. There is no Chinese language. For all extents and purposes for all of you here in Vancouver, all you really need to remember is: I speak Mandarin AND Cantonese (not to mention French and English).

Another thing I hope people don't get confused about is - I work with everyone! Of course I do. Just because I am promoting myself as a Chinese realtor in Vancouver, has nothing to do with the people I work with. I am merely saying that I am Chinese. Yes, I am. I speak the languages, I know the customs, and I have an understanding of the Chinese buyer and seller. But I work with everyone, no matter what race or language.

The reality in Vancouver real estate is that there are many Chinese buyers on the market right now. If real estate is a numbers game, you can improve your odds by 1.33 billion by having a Chinese realtor handling your sale.

By the way, here is my new picture - what do you think?

Why The Chinese Are Buying Up Vancouver Real Estate

The Inside Scoop

I was recently interviewed by CBC and the Vancouver Observer about why the Chinese are so interested in Vancouver real estate. They thought I’d be the realtor to ask, as I have been working closely with many Asian buyers and investors.

Sleeping Beauty

Vancouver remains one of top three cities throughout the World to live in. It is a safe city, with a reputable school system and has the most temperate and humid climate across the country. The air and water quality compared to China are also unmatched. Politically, Canada is a stable country. Financially it is one of the more secure countries in the world. Not to mention, Vancouver, until recently, was a hidden treasure. Look around: there aren’t many cities in the world with such natural beauty.

Vancouver Is A Good Match For The Chinese

It is a relatively easy (12 hour) commute from Hong Kong with direct flights to Vancouver daily. Additionally, there is a well-established Chinese network already in place here.

Practicality

There is a rapidly growing middle class in China that is just beginning to realize that they can afford homes abroad. Recent tax increases to own a second property in China make it more appealing to own real estate in Vancouver. The Chinese want to use their newfound prosperity to make a better future for their family.

Good For The Economy

The 2008 recession proved to be an interesting time for real estate. In efforts to stimulate market activity, the government kept interest rates low. However, the real reason the market recovered as quickly as it did was because of Asian buyers. They had the financial means to do so at a time when no one else could and reaped the benefits of lower prices. Since then it triggered more Asian buyers. This is reflected in our ever-increasing housing prices.

Here's the most recent article from Blookberg BusinessWeek: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/chinas-superrich-buy-a-better-life-abroad-11222011.html


Social Media

If you would like more information please feel free to contact me at anthea@antheapoon.com. I write about Vancouver real estate and post the latest deals, tips and hot spots on my social media. Let’s connect!

Blogs

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http://twitter.com/#!/antheapoon

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Kung Hei Fat Choi

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone.

I'm looking forward to the Year of the Dragon. I think it is going to be a prosperous year for us all.

In the spirit of Chinese New Year - here are a few things NOT to do over the next few days.

1. Don't cut your hair. Anything to do with cutting is bad luck in Chinese culture. Don't cut your fingernails either. Or

2. Don't clean. All of your cleaning should have been done before. So, it's too late now.

3. Don't say the word 'book'. It sounds like

4. Don't buy shoes. The symbol for shoes looks likes evil. Ooooh.

5. Don't talk about death. I shouldn't even be writing about it now!

6. Don't swear. Keep it clean, people.

7. Don't talk about finishing anything. Even this lis

Chinese Realtor in Vancouver

It's one thing to sell your house.

It's a whole other thing to get the best possible price.

Most people don't sell property very many times in their life. So the whole process can be daunting. Often, by making a sale in a hurry, they'll leave a lot of money on the table. It can be tens of thousands of dollars.

That is why it is essential to have an experienced realtor in your corner when it comes to the sale of your Vancouver real estate.

In Vancouver, some of the biggest buyers of real estate are the Chinese from Hong Kong and Mainland China. You need a Chinese realtor in Vancouver that speaks not only English, but Mandarin, Cantonese and even French.

This is where I come into play. I speak all four languages. I understand Chinese culture, and how they negotiate, and I can be a valuable asset in the sales (and buying) process.

If you are looking to sell - and you want the most money you can possibly get for your real estate, then you will need a Chinese real estate agent in Vancouver - like me.

Vancouver Real Estate Tips For Communities

Here are a few "bigger picture" tips to improve the value of your home.

1. Get The Whole Neighbourhood Involved.

When you have a community of homeowners with a single-minded goal, it can be quite the force in bringing up the value of the whole neighbourhood. Children's clothing swap meets, Community Fairs, Street Days, Community Gardens and local performances are all ways of bringing people from other parts of the city to yours. With all the community out and pitching in, it sends a positive message to potential buyers that where you live is a special place indeed.

2. Maintenance En Masse.

You can spot a homeowner a mile away. The lawn is always nicely manicured, the leaves are raked and the sidewalk is cleared of garbage. Renters, on the other hand, don't seem to care quite as much. So how do you keep the neighbourhood consistently stunning when renters are reluctant to pitch in? Order maintenance as a group. Talk to your neighbours about contracting landscapers for the whole block. You'll get a greatly discounted group rate, free up your weekends, and the whole block (even the landlords) will thank you for it as property values soar.

3. Push For Press

If you live in a sleepy little neighbourhood that's off the radar of the papers - do something about it. Think of a newsworthy event and write some press releases. Invite a few journalists out to your next community event. Or even better, get together with your neighbours and organize a PR campaign through a professional agency. With a few carefully chosen headlines, your quiet little neck of the woods could become the next real estate hotspot.

Anthea Poon has been a Vancouver real estate agent for over 14 years. To find out more about how she can sell your home in English, French, Mandarin or Cantonese, contact her at Mobile: 604-719-6103. Office: 604-629-6100

Vancouver Christmas Market

Wow. What a great idea. Now you can do all of your Christmas shopping in one place.

You know, this is one of the reasons I love living in Vancouver. Where else do you find things like this? Well, I guess a few other places - but not many!

Last year the Vancouver Christmas Market was named as one of Ten Most Spectacular Holiday Markets in the world.

If you are interested in checking it out, it's only on until December 24, 2011. Hours are 11am-9pm (but be warned, it closes a little earlier on Christmas Eve 6 pm).

You can find the Market in downtown Vancouver on the Plaza at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (on Georgia, between Cambie and Hamilton). 

For more information, click here: Complete Admission ticket and pass information.

West End Fitness

There is a certain body image that is adopted by residents of the West End. It fits nicely into a pair of Lululemon pants, works well with a stiff collared dress shirt and is perfectly suited for English Bay tanning.

In the summer, these bodies are shaped with runs along the sea wall, outdoor yoga at David Lam Park and dragonboat training along False Creek. But what about the winter months, when the rain returns? Where do all the beautiful people go to maintain their athletic physique?

The answer: residents of the West End are spoiled with an abundance of private and public gym and fitness centres. Open early and closing late, these facilities are the perfect getaway for condo owners intent on keeping their bodies firm and tight. They are also great settings for networking opportunities; many of my friends and clients have actually met their partners at fitness facilities in the West End.

Some of the most popular private gyms are Steve Nash's Fitness Centre and Denman Fitness. With an abundance of cardio equipment, personal trainers and group lessons, the gyms have something for every working professional trying to lose that little tummy.

For those on a tighter budget, the Denman Community Centre and the Burrard Bridge Aquatic 

Centre offer basic equipment and services at reduced rates. If you buy the general pass you can use the fitness centre, the Aquatic Centre pool and the Denman Street ice rink. Not bad for a community membership.

I could go into more details about the services offered by these gyms, but I'm late for my pilates lesson.

For more information on living in the West End, visit my website: http://www.antheapoon.com