Harry and Meghan in Vancouver: where in British Columbia will the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live?

Prince Harry, Meghan and Archie have reunited on Vancouver Island, but — the million dollar question is — where will they live?
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Cathy Hawker27 January 2020

Earlier this week, Prince Harry arrived on Vancouver Island where he reunited with his wife Meghan, and their son, Archie.

The announcement by the couple earlier this month that they intend on staying in Canada to raise their infant son caught the world by surprise, including those already residing in their new home.

As Harry and Meghan begin their new life in Canada, the million dollar question for them as well as the watching world is where they plan to live.

It's easy to see why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen Vancouver. It is a beautiful city with a fabulous outdoor lifestyle.

For sale for £3.6 million: this five-bedroom home in almost six acres of parkland is a private haven, perfect for the couple's new start
Sotheby's International Realty

A dreamy estate on rural Vancouver Island was their luxury home from home over their six week sabbatical but now that they need to max their earning potential they might even choose an urban city location.

Vancouver: the lowdown on Harry and Meghan's new home

Vancouver faces the Pacific Ocean with the mountains for hiking or skiing at its back and in between is a world-class city that is regularly placed in the top ten most liveable cities in the world.

The lifestyle holds enormous appeal as a cosmopolitan, cycle-friendly city with culture galore.

Many locals start the day with a quick jog or cycle in Stanley Park, the magnificent and massive tree-filled lungs of the city, then grab some food from the many farmers markets and end the day at a bar overlooking the waterfront.

The Vancouver lifestyle still holds appeal for international buyers and improvements are on-going says Kate Everett-Allen of Knight Frank.

City life: Athlete's Way, in prime Vancouver West, has a two-bedroom apartment with three balconies for sale for £2.7 million

Established prime markets in Vancouver include Vancouver West and West Vancouver, confusingly two different areas of the city.

Downtown and especially Yaletown and West End are popular for their convenience and vibrant lifestyle while Kitsalano on the west of the city is a firm favourite with families and younger residents for its proximity to great beaches (Kits and Jericho) and its on-trend yoga studios and juice bars.

“Vancouver has a number of rail and metro improvements planned including the Millennium line and a better link to the University of British Columbia. These should make getting around the city easier too and in turn may stimulate economic growth and demand within the city.”

Not that the locals will catch sight of Harry or Meghan on the metro anytime soon.

Vancouver Island: property price rises were such that the government introduced a foreign buyer's tax of 20 per cent 
Alamy Stock Photo

How the Canadian property bubble could impact the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Vancouver’s meteoric property price rises were fuelled by Chinese buyers eager to get a foothold in the market.

If Meghan and Harry choose to base themselves in British Columbia and purchase a home there they could be subject to two separate property taxes introduced as a result of the dramatic increase in international demand for homes in Vancouver.

The Speculation and Vacancy Tax is an annual tax aimed at “turning empty houses into homes for local residents and ensure foreign owners contribute fairly to the local tax system” according to the British Columbia government.

The tax applies to homes throughout British Columbia that are empty for more than 180 days a year with certain exemptions for principal residences.

For 2020 the tax is set at 0.5 per cent of a property’s assessed value for Canadian residents and 2 per cent for foreign owners. The $115 million this tax is expected to raise annually will be used to help fund affordable housing projects.

Million dollar question: the couple have said they wish to start their 'peaceful new life' in Canada, but it's not yet known where they will live Getty Images)
Getty Images

Additional Property Transfer Tax for Foreign Entities applies within specified areas of British Columbia to foreign buyers.

Since 2018 within the Greater Vancouver area this tax has been set at 20 per cent of the property’s value.

The latest figures from BC Assessment report the typical value of a family home in Vancouver dropped 11 per cent in the past year, yet are still around £910,000 (CAD$1.570,000).

Apartment prices also fell, by seven per cent, to an average of £397,500 (CAD$686,000).

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