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Vancouver - Just Got Here

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    #62
    ciaran67
    Registered Users Posts: 1,578 ✭✭✭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. :(


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    #63
    Scruffy19
    Registered Users Posts: 237 ✭✭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?


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    #64
    ciaran67
    Registered Users Posts: 1,578 ✭✭✭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.


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    #65
    Scruffy19
    Registered Users Posts: 237 ✭✭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!


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    #66
    Stinjy
    Registered Users Posts: 785 ✭✭✭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 ;)


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    #67
    MarkJD
    Registered Users Posts: 802 ✭✭✭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.


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    #68
    circadian
    Registered Users Posts: 6,914 ✭✭✭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.


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    #69
    Faith
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,655 Mod ✭✭✭✭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?


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    #70
    MarkJD
    Registered Users Posts: 802 ✭✭✭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.

    4b6c1ccb2a631b30f9686f27c5e8216d.jpg

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


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    #71
    Faith
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,655 Mod ✭✭✭✭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.


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    #72
    MarkJD
    Registered Users Posts: 802 ✭✭✭MarkJD


    Ok great thanks


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    #73
    Kev_2012
    Closed Accounts Posts: 976 ✭✭✭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.


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    #74
    Scruffy19
    Registered Users Posts: 237 ✭✭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!


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    #75
    ciaran67
    Registered Users Posts: 1,578 ✭✭✭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.


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    #76
    circadian
    Registered Users Posts: 6,914 ✭✭✭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.


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    #77
    guest124
    Registered Users Posts: 350 ✭✭guest124


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


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    #78
    NewsMeQuick
    Closed Accounts Posts: 643 ✭✭✭NewsMeQuick


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

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


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    #79
    Nolars
    Registered Users Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭Nolars


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


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    #80
    se02orqua5xz9v
    Closed Accounts Posts: 119 ✭✭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.


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    #81
    Nolars
    Registered Users Posts: 2,892 ✭✭✭Nolars


    Haylee Tiny Stimulation wrote:
    They aren't cheap, I'm afraid.

    Ya the data out here is a joke


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    #82
    Wompa1
    Registered Users Posts: 8,166 ✭✭✭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!


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    #83
    liamtimdusty
    Registered Users Posts: 108 ✭✭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


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    #84
    circadian
    Registered Users Posts: 6,914 ✭✭✭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.


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