Of course all of this is a matter of opinion and taste, but that said, I'll tell the areas that I like and that you better like too!

Just Kidding.

If you go to the mls.ca website, there are a couple of areas I'd recommend you check out.

Firt of all, within Vanouver West (http://www.mls.ca/map.aspx?AreaID=6577) I'd suggest Point Grey (few lofts though), Kitsilano, False Creek, Downtown, West End and Coal Harbour. Or numbers 2, 5, 18, 19, 20, and 22. I'm iffy on 19, Downtown, becuase it really doesn't seem to have a neighbourhood feel to it and lacks a lot a selection of things like grocery stores, etc. Great for downtown workers though who want to be 2 blocks from works instead of 5 blocks. I live in 20, the West End, a block off Stanley Park in an area called West of Denman. It's quieter than the rest of the West End and has fewer highrises. New complexes are limited to about three stories.

Other than Vancouver proper, one of other areas in greater Vancouver (http://www.mls.ca/map.aspx?AreaID=3547) that I would recommend is West Vancouver (http://www.mls.ca/map.aspx?AreaID=6578), a rather high-priced neighbourhood, but quite nice, especially on the water. The community there is comprised in part by well-to-do retirees and hollywood celebs who people the impressive mansions along the lower marine drive. Parts of the waterfront drive are a spitting image, in my eye, to the coast between Nice and Monaco, especially when the sun is shining. One caveat: You won't find much here under $300,000, except a few mobile homes in a mobile home park under the lions gate bridge.