The neighbourhood is one of the oldest parts of the city, which can be seen be seen in Nelson Elementary, which is over a hundred years old, and dozens of Heritage Homes.

South Slope was originally called, "Alta Vista", meaning "High View", and offered early residents in the very early 20th century great views of the, "Fraser Valley", (Richmond and Big Bend), and was served by Royal Oak, and Highland Park stations, on the historic British Columbia Electric Railway.

Although the neighborhoods is almost all residential, there are small family-owned businesses located on the intersection of Rumble St. and Royal Oak Avenue.

There are also townhouses sprouting close to the Skytrain tracks, but are all north of the neighborhood's border (Rumble Street).

The parks in South Slope mainly consist of creeks that run from the Fraser River watershed.