Downtown Vancouver is about 35 min by car, easily accessible via highway 99. Our setting is suburban with a big wooded area across the road from us and the beach 15 min walk in the other direction. We have got free tennis courts and a playground across from our front door.
To enjoy all opportunities fully we think renting a car would be best. We are only 10 km from the American border and with this only a 2 hour drive to Seattle for example. 2.5 hours in the other direction you could be in Whistler. 4 hours drive into the interior and you could enjoy wine tasting at one of the many wineries in the Okanagan Valley.