I was reading Seth Godin's blog this morning on the subject of competition. Seth's a pretty smart guy and I like his ideas on marketing. In running through a number of examples of competition he offered:
There are twenty towns you can choose for your family's new home. One invests in its schools, has a focus on inquiry, AP courses and community, while the others are muddling through, arguing about their future. Which one commands a higher premium for its houses?That got me thinking about what the North Shore does offer that makes it competitive with say Surrey or Coquitlam, much less Vancouver proper. If "affordable" housing isn't a priority, then what do we offer that allows us to have higher housing prices than those other towns?
A better quality of housing stock? Amenities that are lacking in other cities? Lots of well paying jobs?
I like the mountains and the abundant dog parks, but are those enough for North Vancouver to establish a "brand" that will be desired?
For that matter, what does West Vancouver offer that sets it apart from North Vancouver?
14 opinions/comments:
I'm stating obvious characteristics but, it's mostly about location, natural surroundings (mountains, steams, forests) hence a less 'developed' feel, a 'community' smaller town feel in a big town, lower crime rates, end of the road type quietness, etc. One of my favourite things has always been that fresh mountain air that still occasionally wafts down over North Van. that I believe is unique to N.V over Vancouver, Surrey, Bby., etc. These are some of the things I and many others love about North Vancouver and believe create this true edge in 'competition' you refer to.
There probably isn't that much to set N.V. and W.V. apart except for general economic affluence. I've heard it said that N.V is the East Van. of North Van.
The small town feel of the North Shore, in general, is what attracts families here. We are close to the big city without having to live there.
West Van has no industrial area, only one mall and and the Ambleside, Dundarave and Horseshore Bay community shops. The majority is residential thus unlike N. Van taxes not offset by industry and significant commercially zoned property.
So mainly residential, little low cost subsidized housing aside from seniors and special needs residences, close proximity to beaches and mountains, fresh sea air and less rainfall than N. Van seems to be a desireable mix.
Competitive? It is the most expensive real estate in the country. That speaks for itself.
The fact our prices are high should confirm we are competitive. What do we have that keeps the prices high that the folks in the valley don't have and never will:
1) No strip malls down the sides of the #1 Highway.
2) Larger lots than most found in the new developments in the valley areas.
3) Views
4) Close to the ocean
5) Close to the mountains
6) Views
7) 20 min from downtown
8) Views
What does West Van have that we don't have that makes their prices even higher- MORE VIEWS!
Barry's usual gloom and doom malarkey
Great Schools,
#1 Health Region,
Low Crime rate,
sounds good to me
What's so 'doomy and gloomy' about?
Barry asked a straightforward question essentially "Our housing prices suggest we're in demand, clearly we're doing something right so let's be specific on what it is"
For me my personal bottom line is that it's home, it's where I've grown up and have lived at various points in all three municipalities. I like having the ready access to downtown without having to cope with the 'go go go' mentality you get there. I like my open space though I'm enjoying it less than 10 years ago.
30 years ago I left for several years for grad school and returned 7 years later with a young wife and baby. Monica's from a town in Ontario that in the 1980s was a lot like North Vancouver but has lost most of its charm having developed much like Surrey has been in the 20-30 years since then. Burlington is a cautionary tale of what the North Shore could be like if we're not extremely careful.
Yes I love my community though I'm not enjoying it as much as I did. My home is my refuge not my castle and I want to go on enjoying it. At the same time I want my kids to not feel they're going to be inevitably exiled from what is their home too.
And make no mistake about it - that IS how my 18 year old son feels about North Vancouver.
Well I must say that North Van is the third favourite place I have lived over the years. My first two are Victoria and Nanaimo but work and the inevitable entrenchment which comes with a growing family has set in.
This is not to say I dislike North Van or the DNV I simply LOVE the island and in an imperfect world NV is a great place to live.
I think we should be using the words in demand rather than competitive however. Our communities tend to be in demand rather than competitive.
So far the criteria wish makes us the North Shore in Demand are:
1. Education
2. Views
3. Mountains
4. Proximity to Downtown
... anymore?
Well thank goodness, it's NOT Surrey and it's NOT Coquitlam. There's a better stock of folk here on the North Shore.
Dennis Bevington
I don't know about education - if you've got one or more special needs kids (been there done that they're all graduated now) things in School District 44 keeping them moving forward and motivated can be pretty bleak.
I certainly would not put education as one of the main reasons to live here. Other reasons for sure but not that.
"There's a better stock of folk here on the North Shore."
So, you're the creme de la creme?
Truly a legend in our own mind!
West Van has more grow-ops then North VAncouver and West VAn Police officer Fred Harding said that they do not have gangs but they certainly have gang members living there.
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