Vancouver - Just Got Here

guest124

scottmcb04 wrote: »

Burnaby is roughly half an hour away from downtown on the skytrain so its handy enough... its a pretty small general area as in the public transport can get ya almost anywhere in an hour(not including living in places like coquitlam and the like)

Thanks for the info!

Jamsiek

guest124 wrote: »

Thanks! But yeah, I kinda just meant area-wise, cause I've been told it's a small city so I wondered how small! I'm not from Dublin or Maynooth but have visited both often so familiar with Maynooth-Dublin commute and thought maybe the commute time (public transport) would be similar for Burnaby.

I'm not going to Vancouver for awhile yet but trying to suss out what areas are affordable but central-ish

It's not that small really but by no means huge.
It's the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Canada after Toronto and Montreal.
The public transport system is pretty good. The skytrain will get you to Burnaby in roughly 30 mins.
Good luck with the move, it's a beautiful place.

Jamsiek

Scruffy19 wrote: »

Was down in metrotown mall on sat, that place is massive! By far the biggest mall ive been in yet!

Yes it's massive, you could easily get lost in the place.

guest124

Jamsiek wrote: »

It's not that small really but by no means huge.
It's the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Canada after Toronto and Montreal.
The public transport system is pretty good. The skytrain will get you to Burnaby in roughly 30 mins.
Good luck with the move, it's a beautiful place, you will like it.

30 minutes isn't too bad! I think Burnaby will be my back up area for accommodation if I cant find anywhere central.

Thanks again for the info, I'll be asking so many more question on the lead up to the move!

kronsington

Hello all,

i arrived into VC 5 days ago and my first impressions are that the place is simply stunning. Im living in Kits and its a great area, even if I feel extremely unhealthy around most of the locals. Have spent a bit of time down at spanish banks and kits beach so far, briefly saw some of the main city at the weekend- false creek, granville, hastings- and will of course check out more as i go on. just finding my feet and getting all the essentials covered. trying to get work sorted asap. im going to a networking breakfast this friday at 7am at Mahoneys (not sure where that is)- check out VIBE Vancouver, details are there. Happy to meet any fellow boardies at any stage. Thanks

Jamsiek

kronsington wrote: »

Hello all,

i arrived into VC 5 days ago and my first impressions are that the place is simply stunning. Im living in Kits and its a great area, even if I feel extremely unhealthy around most of the locals. Have spent a bit of time down at spanish banks and kits beach so far, briefly saw some of the main city at the weekend- false creek, granville, hastings- and will of course check out more as i go on. just finding my feet and getting all the essentials covered. trying to get work sorted asap. im going to a networking breakfast this friday at 7am at Mahoneys (not sure where that is)- check out VIBE Vancouver, details are there. Happy to meet any fellow boardies at any stage. Thanks

Welcome to Vancouver, I'm going to the VIBE breakfast too.
Mahoney's is on Burrard landing, stunning views from there by the way.
Those meetings are worth going to.
The Irish really look out for each other here.

ciaran67

Scruffy19 wrote: »

Was down in metrotown mall on sat, that place is massive! By far the biggest mall ive been in yet!

Never ever go at xmas. Its bonkers.

Another area to look at is Richmond. Its got great access to downtown, up the Canada line, and the best chinese food in Canada. The middle and lower parts are just residential apart from Steveston, at the bottom, which is a kind of fishing villagey/seaside kind of vibe. You get good deals off the fishing boats on prawns and salmon. The top half is like being in Hong Kong (not a dig btw). Even the signs are in Mandarin/Cantonese. Ive got a smattering now seeing as I have so many Chinese passengers.

el diablo

Scruffy19 wrote: »

Was down in metrotown mall on sat, that place is massive! By far the biggest mall ive been in yet!

Bigger than The Ilac Centre?

By the way, West Ed Mall in Edmonton is twice as big as Metrotown.

It is the largest shopping centre in North America.

Scruffy19

guest124 wrote: »

30 minutes isn't too bad! I think Burnaby will be my back up area for accommodation if I cant find anywhere central.

Thanks again for the info, I'll be asking so many more question on the lead up to the move!

Why doesnt anyone look into North Van? I love it! Your not far from downtown (15mins on seabus), place is alot quieter imo and theres still tons of food shops etc all with-in walking distance plus you have the added bonus of being close to the mountains for summer and winter People say "aww its too expensive", theres cheaper places in lower lonsdale than there is in the west end!

ciaran67 wrote: »

Never ever go at xmas. Its bonkers.

It was bonkers the other day! On thing I hate it is people who are walking through the mall and they randomly stop and start looking around them, and you nearly walk into them - that mall is full of these people!

el diablo wrote: »

Bigger than The Ilac Centre?

By the way, West Ed Mall in Edmonton is twice as big as Metrotown.

It is the largest shopping centre in North America.

Ive actually never been to that shopping centre from my memory but id say it is! Its massive and never ending!

Just reading all this stuff about Vancouver is making me feel all warm inside...

I spent 3 months there in the Summer 2007 and this is just bringing back the memories of it, beautiful city and had some great experiences in my short time there. Probably heading to Toronto myself in February although haven't ruled out Montreal and I might have to have another think about Vancouver now..

ciaran67

Scruffy19 wrote: »

It was bonkers the other day! On thing I hate it is people who are walking through the mall and they randomly stop and start looking around them, and you nearly walk into them - that mall is full of these people!

They drive exactly the same way as well. Had my motor written off two weeks back due to some excellent driving.

Scruffy19

ciaran67 wrote: »

They drive exactly the same way as well. Had my motor written off two weeks back due to some excellent driving.

I haven't started driving yet (hopefully getting sorted in the next 2 weeks), but even just being a passenger or crossing the road at some crossing im double checking people are stopped as they have a tend to keep driving through on!

Hope ur ok from the accident. Pretty ****ty about the car being wrote off! Suppose ICBC is a nightmare to deal with regarding claims?

ciaran67

Scruffy19 wrote: »

I haven't started driving yet (hopefully getting sorted in the next 2 weeks), but even just being a passenger or crossing the road at some crossing im double checking people are stopped as they have a tend to keep driving through on!

Hope ur ok from the accident. Pretty ****ty about the car being wrote off! Suppose ICBC is a nightmare to deal with regarding claims?

Thanks mate, I'm fine cos i had my foot on the break and i might of even got it into park before he hit me, like a missile. And I saw him coming in the mirror. He went under my car. My Toyota had a crack across the bumper and his Merc was smashed to pieces. Im just gutted ive lost a motor that was never any aggro what so ever!

ICBC were really good but this might be because mine wasnt worth much.

I drive around 10 hours a day and its incredible how bad they are.

Scruffy19

ciaran67 wrote: »

Thanks mate, I'm fine cos i had my foot on the break and i might of even got it into park before he hit me, like a missile. And I saw him coming in the mirror. He went under my car. My Toyota had a crack across the bumper and his Merc was smashed to pieces. Im just gutted ive lost a motor that was never any aggro what so ever!

ICBC were really good but this might be because mine wasnt worth much.

I drive around 10 hours a day and its incredible how bad they are.

Wait and see your next motor will have loads of problems (hopefully not) but thats always the way its goes!

Theres a lot of really bad drivers about Vancouver! Theres a guy that works with me that has no window wipers in his car. He puts something on his window to allow the rain to run off and drives to work no problem! He gave me a lift one day and i was saying my prayers the whole way! Abs nuts how people think thats a legit way to drive, just asking for something to happen!

Stinjy

Reading all of your experiences is making me really excited for going over now! thanks guys

@NewsMeQuick - hope you're finding your way okay now :P if not just remember all roads going north to south have names (eg oak st, vine st) and everything running east to west have numbers which are in order.. It's so bloomin planned out! but I'm sure you're flying now

MarkJD

Hey,

Looking to work out some monthly figures to get an idea of what our outgoings might be on a monthly basis so i know what our finances will be like. Currently have Vancouver and Calgary as an option with work (getting a relocation with my current job in Ireland) so want to try weigh up everything and even monthly finances is going to play a part. Below is a quick overview of needed monthly outgoings for myself and the wife. Wanted to check if they looked right on a Monthly basis?


Rent: $2200
Food(2 People): $280
Internet/TV: $130
Car Lease: $300
Mobile(2 People): $130
Public Transport (1 Person): $100
Petrol: $120
Electricity: $40
Car Insurance: $170

Total $3470 ~

Would this seem about right for two people. Will be looking for a 2 Bed + Den that's why i have rent at that figure. Not sure if there is anything else we are leaving out or not considering. Appreciate any info.

circadian

Rent is very high, unless you're looking for a decent sized apartment downtown. I rented a decent sized 2 bedroom flat on the ground floor of a house with great landlords for $1000 a month for a few years.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/apa/4527734055.html is just an example. Close to Skytrain and buses on Kingsway.

I'd up the food budget a bit, $350 would allow for a little more headroom depending on where you shop.

Depending on where you end up working you may not need a car lease, Vancouver has good public transport. Zone 1 is about $90, Zone 2 $124 etc

It really depends on where you live as rent varies massively throughout Vancouver, personally you want to balance a decent place to live with a good price and transport links.


Also, most places are non furnished so there is an initial cost there, Craigslist is your friend however.

Faith

$280 for food for 2 people for a month? That seems extremely low. That's $35 each a week. It's doable, but seems unreasonably low.

Have you factored in any costs for socialising or eating out?

MarkJD

circadian wrote: »

Rent is very high, unless you're looking for a decent sized apartment downtown. I rented a decent sized 2 bedroom flat on the ground floor of a house with great landlords for $1000 a month for a few years.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/apa/4527734055.html is just an example. Close to Skytrain and buses on Kingsway.

I'd up the food budget a bit, $350 would allow for a little more headroom depending on where you shop.

Depending on where you end up working you may not need a car lease, Vancouver has good public transport. Zone 1 is about $90, Zone 2 $124 etc

It really depends on where you live as rent varies massively throughout Vancouver, personally you want to balance a decent place to live with a good price and transport links.


Also, most places are non furnished so there is an initial cost there, Craigslist is your friend however.

Thanks for that information. I will definately need a car. I will already have a job before going over and part of that is going to be going out to visit customers all across vancouver. Could end up being a 10 min drive / public transport job or an hrs drive to the surround areas. Thats what i need to factor for at least so getting a car will be a big priority. If i want something new im thinking a Lease might be the best option and the company i work for get discounts for leases with Ford / Lincoln / Chevrolette. Im hoping about $300 a month might get me something like a focus or similar with a downpayment.

Good shout on the basement of houses i hear they are a good option ill need to check that out.

Faith wrote: »

$280 for food for 2 people for a month? That seems extremely low. That's $35 each a week. It's doable, but seems unreasonably low.

Have you factored in any costs for socialising or eating out?

We would be doing one big initial shop for alot of dry goods (Rice / Pasta / Sauces / Spices) and look to do that every 2-3 months but the idea being that $70 would just cover meat / veg / breads / milk for the week. Would not include eating out or going out. Also to point out im going to be a remote worker so eating lunch from home most days unless im on the road where i can just expense it. Looking to get a good idea of what everything is going to cost that are musts (not including socializing as i realise thats important too) but want to deduct it all from what ill be looking to earn after taxes etc.

This is the grid of Vancouver we are going to try stick to based on what we have researched and what people have told us that are living there. Might look to live a bit further out after a year or two but definately for the first time arriving would like to stay within these areas.



Would we need to up that rent figure to $2400? Thanks again for any help.

Faith

I'd still up your food budget, as presumably you want a realistic budget in mind? I'd bring it to $100 a week to be safe. Better to overestimate than underestimate!

We're looking for a place in the same general areas, and we've budgeted a max of $1500 for a one-bed place. I imagine $2,200 will be plenty.

MarkJD

Ok great thanks

Kev_2012

Yeah pal, I'd definitely up the food budget, by a lot!
Chicken is about 13/14 dollars for 5 breasts, which is a good deal. You're taking about 7/8 for a pound of mince beef.
Cheese and dairy products are expensive too. No Frills will be your friends, it's like a Canadian Aldi/lidl.

Sometimes I find it cheaper to have out than bring food to work (the factory/warehouse have burger and fries and that for 5/6 dollars), plus many places do wings wednesdays, taco tuesdays and all that jazz.

Scruffy19

MarkJD wrote: »

If i want something new im thinking a Lease might be the best option and the company i work for get discounts for leases with Ford / Lincoln / Chevrolette. Im hoping about $300 a month might get me something like a focus or similar with a downpayment.

As far as i know Ford have a deal on the 2014 F150's for $199 a month on a 2 year lease. Cant mind what the downpayment is but dont think it was much! And after the 2 years they will exchange it for a new model! VW also have good deals on leased cars with a downpayment!

ciaran67

If you want to buy food buy it in the Chinese places or any Persian markets. Its half the price of supermarkets and fresher. I have 4 local Persian markets within 5 mins walk and all have butchers in the back... 10 bucks for 6 breasts, 7 for lamb cubed for stews, 4 for same amount of beef for stew and mince is cheap both lamb and beef. Fruit is always 2 bucks cheaper than the supermarkets. You can also get free range chickens for roasting for 10 to 12 bucks.

circadian

I second that, Asian supermarkets are cheaper. The Chinese ones tend to have Ribena and proper baked beans too.

Kits is a lovely area, you do pay a premium being there but it is very nice. I'd imagine the traffic is bad in the mornings around there due to lack of a skytrain (Canada line runs near) although working from home would be great in Kits.

guest124

Heading over in January... the nerves! Hoping accommodation is handy enough to find that time of year.

NewsMeQuick

Coming full circle, I've created my leaving Vancouver notes:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=97355692#post97355692

Nolars

What mobile network do people find the best to go with?

se02orqua5xz9v

Nolars wrote: »

What mobile network do people find the best to go with?

It depends what kind of phone you have.

Wind is apparently the best value; however, they are only available to people with iPhone 5 or newer.

I use Koodoo. I get 2GB of data a month. After tax - if you don't go over your data allowance - it comes to just under $67 (about €45).

They aren't cheap, I'm afraid.

Nolars

Haylee Tiny Stimulation wrote:

They aren't cheap, I'm afraid.

Ya the data out here is a joke

Wompa1

I actually didn't like Vancouver at all but then I didn't go there with any set plan. So much homelessness. Very sad to see, particularly in that cold but I was talking to a Canadian afterwards who said it's probably the best city in Canada for them because the weather is much milder than others.

I prefer Seattle as a city.

The Canadians are lovely, though!

liamtimdusty

Hi guys,

Moving to Vancouver alone at the end of May and am looking for some advice on where to live.
I've read a lot about Kits but this thread has changed my mind a bit. Anyone on here living in East Van?

Looking for somewhere with some nightlife at the weekends and close enough to the Beach.
I'm only 21 so would be a bonus if the area had a young crowd!

Thanks in advance for the advice!
Liam

circadian

liamtimdusty wrote: »

Hi guys,

Moving to Vancouver alone at the end of May and am looking for some advice on where to live.
I've read a lot about Kits but this thread has changed my mind a bit. Anyone on here living in East Van?

Looking for somewhere with some nightlife at the weekends and close enough to the Beach.
I'm only 21 so would be a bonus if the area had a young crowd!

Thanks in advance for the advice!
Liam

Commercial Drive is your spot then. You won't be near a beach but it'll tick the other boxes and has good Skytrain connections. If you head further into East Van (Nanaimo/29th St area) it's cheaper rent and you still have good connections to Downtown/Burnaby/Commercial.

My advice would be don't set your heart on the beach, it rains practically 9 months of the year. You should probably get short term rent near downtown and see where you end up working and then live somewhere that the commute won't be so bad, rent won't be too high with decent buses/skytrain links.