PickYourPlace Launches in Vancouver, BC

The story of PickYourPlace began in 2018, during my own search for a new home. Like many of you, I spent countless hours on real estate websites, scrolling through listings and trying to piece together what life would actually be like in different neighborhoods. But something was missing.

Most platforms focused solely on interior features, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, the standard checkboxes we've all come to expect. While these details matter, they didn't answer my real questions: How safe is the neighborhood? How long will it take to get to work? Where are the nearest schools, parks, and cafes? Some platforms tried to provide this information through vague neighborhood ratings or complex indices, but I wanted real data to make my decision.

After purchasing my home, life got busy but I kept thinking about this idea for a few years. In 2021, I finally built the first prototype of what would become PickYourPlace. The goal was simple: to create a tool that helps you find not just a house, but a place that truly feels like home—whether you're renting or buying.

Since launching, PickYourPlace has helped thousands of users make informed housing decisions. We've had over 3,400 visitors performing more than 17,000 property searches, with momentum growing each month. In fact, February 2025 has been our busiest month yet, with users conducting over 8,700 searches. Today, I'm thrilled to announce that PickYourPlace is now available in Vancouver, BC.

A Different Kind of Tool

So what makes PickYourPlace different? While other platforms might tell you a neighborhood is "good" or "family-friendly", we show you exactly why. Want to know how long it takes to walk to the nearest SkyTrain station? We'll tell you down to the minute. Wondering about neighborhood safety? We'll show you actual crime statistics, not just a vague "safety score". Looking for a vibrant community? We'll map out every nearby restaurant, park, and community center.

We help you explore properties and neighborhoods through four comprehensive lenses.

1. Property Value Lens

• View municipal property assessments and track how values have changed over time
• Explore property details including type (detached, townhouse, etc.), age, and lot size
• See renovation history and improvements made to properties
• Track neighborhood development and growth trends
• Filter properties by:
  • Value ranges (from affordable to luxury)
  • Property types (detached, duplex, townhouse, apartment)
  • Age (new construction to historic properties)
  • Lot size (compact to acreage)

2. Safety Lens

• Access detailed crime statistics and trends
• View flood risk assessments
• Check proximity to emergency services (hospitals, clinics, fire stations, police)
• Analyze street lighting coverage
• Explore traffic safety data for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles
• Compare crime rates across different categories and neighborhoods

3. Access to Opportunities Lens

• Discover nearby amenities like schools, shops, recreational facilities, and restaurants
• Calculate travel times by walking, cycling, driving, or public transit
• View proximity to essential services
• Explore trails and cycling infrastructure
• Find amenities within your preferred travel time (5-30 minutes)

4. Census Lens

• Understand neighborhood demographics and population trends
• Explore housing statistics and trends
• View economic indicators like income and employment
• Discover cultural diversity and languages spoken
• Analyze commuting patterns
• See family sizes and household compositions
• Understand education levels in the area

How to Get Started

1. Visit PickYourPlace website
2. Enter a Vancouver address or click anywhere on the map
3. Explore the property and neighborhood through our different lenses
4. Use our filtering tools to find properties matching your criteria
5. Compare different neighborhoods based on your priorities

Why Vancouver?

Vancouver's diverse neighborhoods, dynamic real estate market, and rich open data make it an ideal city for PickYourPlace. Whether you're new to the city or a long-time resident looking to move, our tool helps you:

• Discover up-and-coming neighborhoods
• Compare different areas of the city
• Make data-driven decisions about where to live
• Understand neighborhood characteristics beyond just property values

Looking Forward

This Vancouver launch is just the beginning. We're continuously adding new features and improving our platform based on user feedback. Try out PickYourPlace and let us know what you think – your input helps shape the future of the platform!