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Our house is a 2600 square feet/240 square metre bungalow. It was completely renovated six years ago. We live on the main floor (half the area of the house) and we rent out the basement to two wonderful, quiet professional tenants. Our living space includes a living room, dining room, our bedroom, a nursery for our newborn, and a sitting room that we use to watch tv or work on the computer. One of the rooms has air conditioning but it doesn't get very hot in Vancouver and it is rarely used. The front room has a ceiling fan. The kitchen has all the amenities you would expect of a modern house - gas range, wall oven, microwave, dishwasher. There is a gas barbeque outside which is hooked up to the house. There are laundry facilities within the house. Other features include high speed internet and cable. The outside of the house has a beautiful extensive garden which will provide hours of delight if you enjoy gardening. We also plant a variety of seeds in our vegetable plot and fresh vegetables are at your disposal throughout the summer. We encourage composting and recycling. Both gardens are on a timed watering system and does not need to be tended to. We have a spacious backyard with a patio to enjoy warm summer evenings. The lawn is the only part of the outside that will require upkeep and it will need to be mowed about once a week.
Our biggest concern is our cat, Skitter who is quite attached to the house. Currently, we are seeking alternative accommodations for him should we go away, but we would be more than happy to have him stay here.
Shaughnessy is Vancouver's "grand old neighbourhood." This area was originally developed in the early 1900's. Many of Vancouver's largest properties are in this area. The magnificent homes are surrounded by wide and winding tree-lined streets and provide a quiet area for a leisurely stroll. The Shaughnessy walking tour, designed by the Vancouver Heritage Society, is a very popular route. A definite favourite for both locals and visitors is VanDusen Botanical Garden, located at 37th and Oak. The area is an important Vancouver heritage landscape, with curving streets, generous lots, lush gardens and manicured properties that harken to a lost-era of stylish wealth. Architectural themes reflect Tudor England, Colonial America and Dutch settlements found along the Hudson River.
We are two houses in from Oak, a major artery in Vancouver. Oak is the road that leads to the airport, the ferry terminal and the US border. We are two houses in from Oak and almost directly across from Children's & Women's Hospital. Oak Street can be busy but we do not hear any noise from the traffic in the house. You may hear faint background noise if you are in the backyard. There are no ambulances that go to those hospitals - they all go to Vancouver General. Instead, we get emergency helicopters about twice a month which you can hear for about five minutes. They seem to time them so they all happen at once and then you won't see another one for a month or so. There is a park (Devonshire Park) about two blocks away. Safeway is the closest supermarket. It is located in a plaza on 25th and Oak, 4 blocks away. There you will also find a wine store, post office, a couple of restaurants, a TD bank, dry cleaner and various other stores. Oakridge Mall is the closest shopping mall at 41st and Laurel (between Cambie and Oak). Bus services abound both on Oak Street and on 25th. Our neighbourhood is quiet with ample residents only street parking as everyone has a 3 car garage.
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