Moving to Surrey, BC: Which Neighbourhood Is Right for You?
Surrey is BC's second-largest city and is made up of distinct town centres. City Centre and Guildford suit condo and SkyTrain living, Newton offers the widest mix of homes, Fleetwood and Cloverdale suit families, and South Surrey has houses and oceanview condos near White Rock. Choose by housing type, commute and budget.
Updated November 5, 2026
What should newcomers know about Surrey?
Surrey is large, and its neighbourhoods feel very different from one another. The City of Surrey organizes its planning around town centres: City Centre (Whalley), Guildford, Newton, Fleetwood, Cloverdale and South Surrey. Clayton, in the east, is a fast-growing area with newer townhomes.
Getting around depends on where you live. The Expo Line serves Surrey at Scott Road, Gateway, Surrey Central and King George stations, with service to downtown Vancouver. Many residents elsewhere in the city rely on buses and cars, which is why a SkyTrain extension is under construction.
How do Surrey's neighbourhoods compare?
City Centre (Whalley)
Surrey's downtown core, with high-rise condos, shopping, SFU Surrey and three Expo Line stations. Best if you want transit-first, walkable condo living. See [movers in City Centre](/areas/city-centre).
Guildford
Towers and condos around Guildford Town Centre, with townhomes and houses nearby. Good for shopping, recreation and quick access to Highway 1. See [movers in Guildford](/areas/guildford).
Newton
Surrey's most populous town centre and the widest mix of apartments, townhomes and houses. It is culturally diverse and hosts a large Vaisakhi parade each spring. See [movers in Newton](/areas/newton).
Fleetwood
A family-focused area of houses and newer townhouses along 88 Avenue and Fraser Highway, with a station planned on the SkyTrain extension. See [movers in Fleetwood](/areas/fleetwood).
Cloverdale and Clayton
Cloverdale is a heritage town centre with larger homes and acreages east of the core. Clayton nearby has newer townhomes and two planned SkyTrain stations. See [movers in Cloverdale](/areas/cloverdale).
South Surrey
Houses and oceanview condos from Morgan Creek to the White Rock border, with Crescent Beach and Highway 99 to the Peace Arch crossing nearby. See [movers in South Surrey](/areas/south-surrey).
What is changing: the SkyTrain extension
The Dave Barrett Extension, previously called the Surrey Langley SkyTrain, will add 16 kilometres and eight stations from King George Station to Langley City Centre. The stations are Green Timbers, 152 Street, Fleetwood, Bakerview-166 Street, Hillcrest-184 Street, Clayton, Willowbrook and Langley City Centre.
Construction is under way and the province anticipates opening in 2029. If transit is a deciding factor, check TransLink and the BC government for current timelines before you sign a lease or buy.
Which neighbourhood fits my priorities?
I want SkyTrain and a condo
Start with City Centre, and look at Guildford for towers with nearby shopping.
I want a family home
Look at Fleetwood, Cloverdale, Clayton and South Surrey, where houses and townhomes are more common.
I want options across housing types
Newton has apartments, townhomes and houses close together.
I want space and character
Cloverdale has older homes, acreages and a heritage town centre.
I want to be near the water
South Surrey and Crescent Beach are the closest, next to White Rock.
How to plan your move to Surrey
If you are moving into a condo or townhome complex, ask your strata about elevator booking, move hours and any deposit before you set a date. Our strata move-in guide lists what to ask. Hourly local moves are priced in the cost by home size guide, and condo movers handle the building logistics.
Moving from another province or from the BC Interior or Vancouver Island? See our long distance moving page. Pick a quieter date if you can, and read the best time to move in Metro Vancouver.
Your first weeks in Surrey
- Update your address with ICBC within 10 days and sort out your utilities. Our address change guide walks through each step.
- If you are new to BC, check ICBC's rules for exchanging an out-of-province licence and insuring a vehicle, and apply for BC health coverage as soon as you arrive, since there can be a waiting period.
- Set up Canada Post mail forwarding and internet installation early.
- Learn your strata's rules for parking, garbage and moves if you live in a complex.
- Check the route to work at rush hour before your first commute.
Plan your Surrey move with us
Local moving
Apartments, condos and houses across Surrey and the Lower Mainland.
Condo moving
Strata elevator bookings, loading zones and careful moves in Surrey condos and townhouse complexes.
Long distance moving
Moves from Surrey to Vancouver Island, the Interior and across Canada.
Moving prices
How much do movers cost in Surrey? Hourly rates and typical totals.
Moving in: Surrey City Centre, Guildford, Newton, Fleetwood, Cloverdale, South Surrey
More moving guides
How to Book a Strata Move-In or Move-Out in Surrey, BC
Elevator and loading zone booking, strata rules, deposits and what to ask before you pick a date.
Change Your Address in BC: ICBC, Utilities and More
ICBC's 10-day rule, utilities, mail forwarding and the other places to update after a move.
Best and Cheapest Time to Move in Metro Vancouver
The best days, months and times to move, and why month-end and summer weekends book up first.
Common questions
Which Surrey neighbourhood is best for families?
Fleetwood, Cloverdale, Clayton and South Surrey are known for houses and townhomes. Newton also has a wide mix of family housing.
Which Surrey neighbourhoods are on SkyTrain?
The Expo Line serves Surrey at Scott Road, Gateway, Surrey Central and King George stations, mostly in and near City Centre. The Dave Barrett Extension will add stations in Fleetwood, Clayton and beyond.
When will the SkyTrain extension to Langley open?
The province anticipates opening in 2029. Check TransLink and the BC government for current timelines.
Do I need a car in Surrey?
It depends on where you live. City Centre can work well without a car. In much of the rest of Surrey, many residents rely on cars and buses.
How do I move to Surrey from another province?
Long distance moves are quoted for your route and inventory in writing. Send both addresses, your date and a room list to request a quote.
Get a free moving quote
Tell us where you are moving and when. We reply with a written quote, not a ballpark. Prefer to talk? Call (604) 674-7874.