Steveston vs Terra Nova vs Broadmoor: where should your family live?

When Richmond families ask me where to look, three neighbourhoods come up again and again: Steveston, Terra Nova and Broadmoor. All three are great places to raise kids. They just suit different families. Here's how I explain the differences.

Steveston: village life by the water

The feel: a historic fishing village at Richmond's southwest corner. Families love walking to the shops and restaurants in Steveston Village, biking the dyke, and spending weekends at Garry Point Park.

The homes: a mix of older detached houses on good-sized lots, townhouse complexes, and newer homes where older ones have been rebuilt. It's one of the most popular areas for families moving up from a condo to a townhouse.

Good to know:

• It's at the edge of the city, so commutes to downtown Vancouver or the airport take a bit longer than from central Richmond.

• Some parts of Steveston are older, so I look closely at the age and condition of each home.

Best for: families who want a walkable, small-town feel and lots of outdoor time.

Terra Nova: newer homes and a big park

The feel: a quieter neighbourhood in northwest Richmond, next to Terra Nova Rural Park, with its community gardens, play areas and trails. It's close to the river and the dyke.

The homes: many houses here are newer than in older parts of Richmond 🟠 [Katerina: mostly built from the 1990s on?], plus some townhouse complexes. Lots are often a little smaller than in Steveston or Broadmoor.

Good to know:

• It's convenient to the airport and the bridges into Vancouver.

• Daily shopping is close by, with more on No. 3 Road a short drive away.

Best for: families who want a newer home and a quiet street, with nature right at the door.

Broadmoor: central, with larger lots

The feel: an established, central neighbourhood with mature trees and wide streets. You're a few minutes from No. 3 Road shopping, community centres and parks.

The homes: mostly detached houses, many on larger lots than you'll find in newer areas. Some are original homes; others have been rebuilt.

Good to know:

• Central location means shorter drives to most of Richmond.

• Larger lots make Broadmoor popular for families who want a big yard, and for buyers planning to renovate or rebuild over time.

Best for: families who want space and a central location, and don't need a brand-new home.

Side by side

• Feel: Steveston: Village, waterfront; Terra Nova: Quiet, newer, park-side; Broadmoor: Central, established

• Homes: Steveston: Older houses, many townhomes; Terra Nova: Newer houses, some townhomes; Broadmoor: Detached houses, larger lots

• Outdoors: Steveston: Dyke, Garry Point Park; Terra Nova: Terra Nova Rural Park, dyke; Broadmoor: Neighbourhood parks

• Commute: Steveston: Longest of the three; Terra Nova: Close to airport and bridges; Broadmoor: Central to all of Richmond

What about schools?

All three areas are served by the Richmond School District, and catchment boundaries can split a single street. Before you fall in love with a home, check the catchment for that exact address. I wrote a separate guide on how to check a Richmond school catchment.

How I help families choose

I usually ask three questions: How do you want to spend your weekends? How far do you commute, and where to? And what matters more: a newer home, or a bigger lot? The answers usually point clearly to one of these three areas, or to another Richmond neighbourhood we hadn't considered.

Your next step

Browse current Richmond houses and Richmond townhomes, or get my free Richmond upsizing plan to see what your budget buys in each neighbourhood. Call or text me at (778) 909-8639.

Get my free Richmond upsizing plan

Katerina Zemlia, REALTOR® with RE/MAX Westcoast.