And if you are someone who, like other posters here, thinks they might take issue with the noise of the neighborhood – I really think that neither 4th ave nor Broadway is an appropriate choice, as both are full of good restaurants and bars, some open late like the Naam, plus major bus routes, plus tons of foot traffic to and from the beach. It’s an awesome neighborhood, and I wouldn’t trade the noise for anything… it’s a sign that kits is still alive. But if you want real quiet, I think south of Broadway would be the best way to experience Kits. Try 10th or 14th avenue… I doubt you’d be disappointed.

If you treasure quiet, I would try West 3rd, or West 5th, 6th or 7th. The latter three streets are close to Broadway.

There’s only so much a person can take and the ‘dogs in purses’ crowd is getting to me…..

Broadway has more options for fresh produce whereas 4th is better for fresh meats and seafood. It sounds like your income isn’t a limiting factor, so the Capers could make up for the mom&pop produce stores on Broadway (which also stock more foreign foods and produce).

Broadway has a little less late-night noise pollution from drunken revelers. I’m usually not around during the day, though, but the highschool kids can be a little loud during lunchbreak and after school and there is more ambulance/firetruck traffic on Broadway than 4th.

To the beaches, Broadway is only an extra 5-ish minutes so it’s really not a big deal. The cross streets from Broadway to 4th are generally nice, quiet, tree-shaded, and have sidewalks. Parking around 4th is nearly non-existent whereas free street parking is generally available on Broadway.

On Broadway the majority of “stuff” is between MacDonald and Alma, on 4th, it’s between MacDonald and Burrard.

I think the deciding factor would be the layout, size, and quality of the apartment complexes (and fixtures and stuff) that you’re choosing from.

Personally, I prefer Broadway as the businesses there fit my personality a bit better than the ‘trendier’ and more pricey 4th.

Is one concrete? Kits is home to lots of students, who sometimes forget to be considerate of their neighbours (yes I know you just finished exams, but for me it’s just another Wednesday). It doesn’t help when your windows are open in the summer, but would at least help for other building noise.

Also, which direction do they face? Aside from the general preferences on exposure, both my apartments faced the back alleys of the buildings and were pretty quiet. My neighbours who faced the busy streets weren’t so lucky. On Broadway, people in my building consistently complain about the bar patrons across the street, which I don’t hear.

Transit in Kits is also a little tricky. Broadway and 4th are major bus corridors, but there isn’t really a good North/South route. If your husband’s working at VGH and minds walking 5 blocks North/South a couple times a day I’d say go with the Broadway corridor.

And above all, welcome to the neighbourhood!

Broadway does have the B-Line, but in terms of getting downtown quickly, at least from Broadway and Macdonald vs. 4th and Arbutus (our points of reference in our debate), the 4 and the 7 provide much faster bus service than the 22, which while scenic, kinda crawls at times and is often standing room only.

Other points of comparison (this could really be quite the show-down):

Houses: Broadway.
3-story walk-ups: 4th Ave.
Safeway: both have them
Produce markets: both have them
Sushi: both have them
Second run movie theatre: Broadway (Hollywood)
First run movie theatre: 4th (well 5th Ave is close enough)
Library: score a point for family Kits
Greek places: Broadway
Wine shops: Wine cellar vs Broadway wine store (Wine Cellar wins)
New books: Duthies (4th Ave)
Used Books: Pulp Fiction + ex-Tanglewood (can’t remember the name)
Whitespot: score Broadway!
Dairy Queen: double points Broadway!
High-end eating: Lumiere (Broadway), Bishops (4th)
Tomato Cafe: Broadway…

I’m biased, I like Family Kits ™.

Gord.