Living in Guildford Surrey BC Canada [Surrey BC Neighbourhood Tour]

by Alex Dunbar

Living in Guildford, Surrey, BC, Canada: Everything You Need to Know 🏙️🌲

Are you considering a move to the Guildford community in Surrey, BC? Whether you're looking for affordable housing, a family-friendly neighbourhood, or proximity to shopping and transit, Guildford might be the right place for you—but it's not without its challenges. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from housing prices and crime rates to schools, parks, and amenities, so you can make the best decision possible.

📍 Location Overview

Guildford is located in the northeast corner of Surrey, bordered by the Fraser River to the north, Langley to the east, and the communities of Whalley and Fleetwood to the west and south. It includes several sub-neighbourhoods:

Guildford Proper (around the Guildford Mall)
Fraser Heights (north of Highway 1)
Port Kells (primarily industrial)
Boulevard Heights (western fringe of the community)

🚗 Travel Times to Major Areas

15 min → Costco Surrey
20 min → Langley
40 min → Downtown Vancouver
20 min → Burnaby
10 min → SkyTrain (Surrey City Centre)
10 min → Surrey Memorial Hospital
45 min → Vancouver Airport
30 min → US Border
40 min → Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal

🏘️ Housing Market

Guildford offers a mix of housing types, from detached homes and townhomes to condos and basement suites. There’s ongoing development, especially near commercial hubs, and Fraser Heights has newer luxury builds.

Average Benchmark Prices:

Detached Homes: $1.23M
Townhomes: $674K
Condos: $531K

Townhomes and detached homes are more affordable than the Surrey average, while condos tend to be slightly higher.

💰 Rental Market

Guildford offers a decent range of rental options, with older buildings balancing out the newer, premium-priced ones.

Average Rental Prices:

1-Bed Condo: $1,600
2-Bed Condo: $2,200
2-Bed Basement Suite: $1,800–$2,000
3-Bed Townhome: $3,000

Rental inventory is limited in Fraser Heights due to the prevalence of detached homes.

🌳 Parks & Outdoor Spaces

Guildford is home to some of the most popular parks in Surrey:

Surrey Bend Regional Park: Trails, nature playground, riverside views
North Road Park: Pool, fields, playgrounds
Hawthorne Park: Spray park, gardens, picnic spots
Green Timbers Urban Forest: 1,100 acres of trails, forest, fishing, and nature
Tynehead Regional Park & Hatchery: Educational salmon hatchery with family trails

Looking for adventure? The area is also close to one of the region’s largest treetop adventure courses, featuring dozens of aerial challenges for thrill-seekers of all ages. Whether you’re hoping to spot salmon on a gentle family walk or test your limits high in the canopy, there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast here.

For those after a more traditional day at the park, Green Timbers offers fishing at the lake, while Hawthorne and North Road Park are local favourites for summer picnics and playground time. Many parks in Guildford are also equipped with sports fields, spray parks, and extensive walking and cycling paths, making it easy to stay active year-round.

🏫 Schools & Daycares

Public Elementary Schools:

Erma Stevenson
William F. Davidson
Hjorth Road

Public Secondary Schools:

Fraser Heights Secondary
Johnston Heights Secondary
Guildford Park Secondary

Private Schools:

Pacific Academy: K–12, IB Program, prestigious private Christian school

There are also numerous daycares, especially near the commercial core.

🏋️ Recreation & Amenities

Guildford Rec Centre: Olympic pool, gym, weight room, and programs for all ages
Fraser Heights Rec Centre: Community fitness and sport programs
Port Kells Pool & Park: Family-friendly outdoor pool and sports fields
Surrey Nature Centre: Interactive trails and ecology programs at Green Timbers

If you’re searching for a one-stop spot for family fun, the local leisure complex delivers with everything from skating and swimming to drop-in fitness classes. Guildford’s recreation centres are true community hubs, offering activities for every age and interest.

Many neighbourhoods also benefit from nearby playgrounds, picnic shelters, and dedicated off-leash dog parks, so everyone—including your four-legged family members—can get in on the action.

🛍️ Shopping & Grocery

Guildford Town Centre: 200+ shops, including Walmart, Apple, Hudson’s Bay, Sephora
Grocery Options: Walmart Supercentre, TNT Market, Save-On-Foods, Superstore, Bi-Lo, Hanam Supermarket

🥕 Markets in Guildford

Guildford isn’t just about big-box stores—local markets and specialty grocers round out the neighbourhood’s shopping options. You’ll find several Asian supermarkets and multicultural grocers, perfect for everything from fresh produce to hard-to-find sauces and spices. The neighborhood’s Hanam Supermarket is a go-to for Korean staples, while T&T Supermarket is a favourite for a wide selection of Asian groceries and fresh seafood.

During the summer, you might also stumble upon pop-up produce stands and seasonal farmers’ markets—great for grabbing local fruit and veggies. Combined with the range of mainstream grocery chains, Guildford residents rarely have to venture far for fresh food or international ingredients.

🍽️ Restaurants & Entertainment

Local favourites include:

Boston Pizza
Sabai Thai
Red Robin
Earls
Steve’s Poke Bar
Marcello’s
Famoso Pizza

Plus, Landmark Cinemas 12 offers recliner seating and 3D movies right beside the mall.

🏥 Health & Safety

Closest Hospital: Surrey Memorial (under 10 mins away)
Medical/Dental Clinics: Plentiful around the mall area
Crime: Higher near Guildford Mall, much lower in Fraser Heights

🚶 Walkability, Transit, and Commuting

Walk Score: 51 – somewhat walkable (best near the mall)
Bike Score: 49 – mostly flat and wide roads
Transit Score: 43 – good access to buses and the Guildford Exchange

Guildford doesn’t have a SkyTrain stop, but the Surrey City Centre stations are just minutes away.

🧭 Who Is Guildford Best For?

Young Families: Affordable homes, great schools, rec centres
Students & Young Professionals: Proximity to transit, rental options
Commuters: Easy highway and SkyTrain access
New Immigrants: Diverse, welcoming, and culturally rich

⚠️ Things You Might Not Like

Traffic Congestion: Especially near 152nd and the Port Mann exit
Higher Crime Around the Mall: Typical of commercial hubs
Low Walkability in Outskirts: You’ll likely need a car if you’re not near the core