Oink

Oh and make a few of these when you first get here. They'll come in handy.

jandro

I remember those when I was a university student in Ontario but the police were on to the scam.

Kopitewarrior

I've had quick look on Craiglist and there seem to be quite a few houses that are $1800 a month around main city area (not downtown obviously, but close enough). That's $600 a month each which doesn't seem too bad?

And that soda can thing is great! B.C does sure have some funny alcohol laws, but hey its better than drunken fools spilling onto the streets eh?

You guys are the best

ohcanada

I agree with most of the posts here, Vancouver is expensive to buy but I found renting affordable in Vancouver and also the surrounding surbubs with easy transit links into the city. The skytrain and bus network is good. I found out from experience that my electric and water bill was way much cheaper in Vancouver (living in the westend near the beach) than here in Calgary. Was paying about $12 a month on a 1 bed apartment compared to $250 a month out here on a two bed townehouse. Moved to Burnaby BC and was paying max of $60 per 3 months in a two bed apartment. Weather is great and the outdoors beautiful. Loads of different ethnic restuarants and provides a quick getaway to the US. Working on moving back.

Kopitewarrior

How did you find cost of living? And how's getting employment (part-time casual work mostly).

ohcanada

Cost of living was actually cheaper than I had expected, I don't drive and used to get around Vancouver and the surbubs easily with buses and trains. It's even easy to bus or train to Seattle. There's plenty fresh fruit and vege markets and there's always Wholefoods market which is not the cheapest even back in UK but you van indulge once in a while. I'm a nurse so gettn a Jon was not difficult. Depending on ur lifestyle, you could easily live on the outskirts of Vancouver ie burnaby, Richmond and some good areas of surrey and commute coz the transit system is really good.

Siouxie

If you are thinking about working in a pub/bar or a restaurant that serves alcohol, I would suggest getting your 'serve it right' certification before you come as you will stand a better chance of getting a job if you already have it (it's a requirement at most places). You can do it online and print off your test certificate.

http://www.servingitright.com/

If you are looking for a hospitality job, you could start here: http://www.go2hr.ca/jobboard or for other work look on www.kijiji.ca or https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs/

Kopitewarrior

Thanks folks. Any idea what would be a reasonable monthly budget? I was thinking $2000 max for rent between 3.

Siouxie

You could have a look at kijiji to get an idea of prices. Others will probably recommend a few sites that are good for finding rentals in Vancouver.

ohcanada

Check also Craigslist, plenty of 3 bed homes betwee $1500 and $2000.

Aviator

In uniform on East Hastings?

Londonuck

If i was looking for casual work i would be more inclined to look east. Its hard to live and have fun here on good wages let alone casual ones.

MrHyperPants

If your doing casual jobs you will get paid between $9 - $14 an hour for a 40hr week, if you get 40hrs. Which doesn't go very far. Vancouver doesnt have a nightlife. I would recommend getting an outdoor hobby. Or maybe try get a job at the ski resorts in whistler as loads of travellers there, plus bars which they are all in. But is pricey there.

As others have mentioned, check craigslist or kiji for jobs and renting. I would look at living in east van if I was you, seen as your gonna be on a budget. Loon for places rNear commercial and Broadway station. Which has good transport links.

I will post about another agencey I used later. I'm typing this on my ph and can't remember the name of them.

plus side, van is close to USA border. You can get cheap flights from Bellingham in USA to Vegas, la and san Fran.

Will write some more later.

boybiskit

" While here take advantage of what the place as to offer - easy access to great outdoor activities. And cheap sushi"

^+1
The sushi is amazing and very very cheap. I can't wait to get back to it for good come August.

3 lads in Vancouver will be fine. It's exactly what I did after uni and, 10 years later, I'm heading back again. Hope up love it as much as we did / do.