Oakridge

Oakridge is a multicultural residential and commercial district situated within Vancouver City. In 2001, it had a population of 11,795 and of those persons, 50 percent claimed Chinese was their first language.

The district of Oakridge is a rectangle section which is bordered by a major thoroughfare on the west, the Main Street to the east. The border in the north is marked by West 41st Avenue and Oakridge's southern end is marked by West 57th. Cambie Street and Oak Street are two of Vancouver's busiest roads and they also run north-south through Oakridge. This allots for copious amounts of traffic in evening and morning rush hours. Oakridge comprises 401 hectares in total.

One of the last places of Vancouver City to be left in its natural state was the Oakridge area. The exceptions include a golf course constructed near Cambie and West 41st in the year 1926 and a few boarding schools and hospitals built prior to the second World War.

Development began to expand into the woody areas of Oakridge after the war. The Jewish community of the city moved south along Oak Street. The Jewish Community Centre was constructed at the intersection of West 41st and Oak Street during the post-war years. During the 1950s, the CPR or likewise referred to as Canadian Pacific Railway opened its lands in the area to development. Single family houses occupied a lot of the location. During the year 1959, the Oakridge Centre shopping mall was built at West 41st and Cambie. This provided a centre point for the ensuing residential boom.

Oakridge is considered to be a rather young community. It is constantly evolving and growing in terms of its makeup and features. The premier shopping centre within Vancouver, the Oakridge Centre mall is among the biggest draws bringing individuals into the area.