Abbotsford, located in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, is one of the B.C. most agriculturally rich areas and sits 42 miles east of Vancouver.
With a population of approximately 133,000 and an area spanning 145 square miles, Abbotsford is the largest municipality of the Fraser Valley and has been
named as Canada’s most generous city for charitable donations for 9 years running.
Agriculture is a booming industry in Abbotsford thanks to its rich soils of the Fraser River and the mountains.
Farming forms a huge part of Abbotsford’s economy, particularly berry, vegetable, poultry, hog, and dairy farms and operations.
Abbotsford is one of Canada’s most intensively farmed areas, and its agriculture supports and defines the city in
many ways.
Home to Abbotsford International Airport, Tradex, Abbotsford International Airshow and The University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford is very much a hub in itself. The
city offers easy access to the U.S., with the border located just a few miles away.
Abbotsford is incredibly multi-cultural and is the third most ethnically diverse city in Canada, after Vancouver and Toronto. This has fuelled significant economic growth and
stems from an influx of migrants in the 1900s who worked in a number of industries.
The city has an oceanic climate due and enjoys fairly hot summers and mild winters. It also has its own micro-climate due to the flat prairie lands, which creates incredibly
fertile soil.
With a number of gardens to stroll around, theatre shows, sporting events and outdoor activities, Abbotsford has something for everyone. The
city also has an impressive selection of sporting infrastructures, such as ice rinks, indoor and outdoor courts, and playing fields, earning
itself the name of “Sports Town”.
Due to its central location, Abbotsford is also a hotspot for sports events, and trade and consumer shows are often held at Tradex which hugely supports the local economy. Popular
trade shows include the International Air Show, which attracts over 300,000 visitors, and the West Coast Christmas Show.
Neighbourhoods
Abbotsford has a number of friendly and diverse neighbourhoods with a range of housing options and employment opportunities. The
city can be split into the following neighbourhoods:
Commercial developments are more prominent in Central Abbotsford, but there are a number of apartment buildings, townhouses, and detached homes to choose from.
The area is also home to Mill Lake Park, which is popular among walkers, hikers, and cyclists.
East Abbotsford is comprised of a number of types of properties. The Sumas Prairie is home to a number of farms and large lots of land, McMillan is very desirable
for families and has a variety of family homes, Sandy Hill is also popular among families and has a number of good schools, and Clayburn Village is a charming and
quaint area with heritage properties. Newer areas include Mountain Village, Eagle Mountain, and Glen Mountain, which contain newer developments with beautiful views
of the Sumas Prairies. Houses in this area are much more expensive than the rest of Abbotsford, many of which fall around the $1 million mark.
Populated by both commercial properties and residential developments, West Abbotsford is a nice area with a range of family homes, executive homes, townhouses, and
apartments. Pepin Brook is a rural area with many luxury homes set on a beautiful vineyard, Bradner occupies high land above the Fraser River, and Aberdeen offers
varied real estate such as family homes, executive homes, farms, and starter homes.
As one of Abbotsford most up-and-coming areas, the U-District is growing in popularity. Situated close to the University of the Fraser Valley, this area is due to
expand in future especially among the student community.
Abbotsford’s real estate market comprises a number of types of properties to suit all budgets. Houses are significantly more affordable than big cities such as Vancouver, and many
opt for Abbotsford’s suburban and affordable lifestyle and commute to work. Roughly 60% of Abbotsford’s population work within the City of Abbotsford, while the remainder of
workers commutes to surrounding areas such as Mission, Chilliwack, and Vancouver. The area offers bus and rail routes to other cities and is located close to the Trans-Canada
Highway which offers easy access to other big municipalities as well as the U.S. border.
The majority of dwellings in Abbotsford were built between the 1960s and 1990s, with a large proportion of homes being single-detached houses, followed by row houses and apartment
duplexes. Roughly 75% of homes in the area are owned, and homes are generally larger with more land. However, Vancouver’s hot property market is beginning to have a knock-on
impact on Abbotsford, with more families moving east toward more affordable cities in the Fraser Valley. Competition for rental housing is fairly strong due to lower vacancy rates
and higher levels of homeownership.
Home Style
Average Price
Home
$748,100
Rent
$1,194
Condo
$346,350
Detached Home
$1,138,323
Townhouse
$587,348
Data source: Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB)/numbeo.com report for 2020/2021.
Education
The Abbotsford School District administers roughly 46 of Abbotsford’s public schools, including elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The city also has a few private
institutes, including St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary, Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford Christian School, and the Dasmesh Punjabi School. The University of
the Fraser Valley is located in Abbotsford, with a number of campuses around the city and surrounding areas.