Hi,

We're off to Vancouver in May as PR. We think we're pretty decided upon renting in False Creek, but I happened to see a nice rental property in Collingwood village for way less than False Creek rentals. I take it that's due to proximity to downtown or is Collingwood not such a nice area?
From previous recce trips, I vaguely recall around Trout Lake and Burnaby being family friendly, plenty of green space but must have bypassed Collingwood?

Thank you
B

False Creek is central, near Granville Island, near downtown; Collingwood is a bit of an no-man's land. Renting in FC is a good idea until you get a feel for the different parts of Vancouver, because even if you don't end up staying in FC (it is expensive) then you at least have some experience of living there. Burnaby is more of a family area, but there are plenty of other family areas too, you really have to live in the city a while to get a feel for it. Especially as areas can be so far apart.

I'm jealous you're going to be renting in FC, can't persuade the OH to move back downtown

Collingwood. It's not exactly a no-man's land, there are amenities over there and it's close to Skytrain, ethnically more Asian (Philippino, chinese etc). It's not a bad area just kind of meh. We looked into buying there at one point but it just lacks character and is...meh. It would probably be fine to live there though. You should probably check it out yourself.

That's what I meant by no-mans land, "just kind of meh". I also agree with your ethnic synopsis, though after all the stick I got on the Richmond thread I thought I best not bring that up! As you say, it's not a bad area and has some amenities, but it's not going to give a stellar first impression of what Vancouver has to offer.

Meh... That's such a great word! I know exactly what you mean. We loved false creek out of everywhere we looked at, so I should probably stop looking at other rentals now - it's like an addiction! thanks for your reply

thank you for your reply, your right about the expensive part! looking forward to being able to check out other places properly once we've settled in

I remember a few years ago some poster saying that it rained more in the Okanagan than in Calgary. I pointed out that just outside Osoyoos is a real, live, all signing and dancing, desert that was recorded as such in every respected geographical and meteorological publication. Calgary, whilst having very low precipitation compared to much of BC, was not in a desert. Seeing as a desert is defined by the amount of precipitation it receives it was not necessarily true to say that it rained more in the Okanagan than in Calgary.

The poster was annoyed with me and said that he went to Osoyoos once and it rained as if this was all the proof that was required. His personal experience trumped facts.

Now, I know a lot of what goes on around here is regular posters waving our willies at each other. However, there are still newbies who are actually looking for useable information. What is more useful for a potential resident of Osoyoos: that it is in a desert, or that it rained one Saturday a few years ago?

As for the Joyce/Collingwood area, it's OK. Actually, it's fine. But it is a bit meh.

Speak for yourself mate.

ExKiwilass

You may touch your nose with your thumb and wiggle your fingers.

I'd also consider Mount Pleasant, nice area around Main and walkable to False Creek and the seawall. You might get a little more bang for your buck renting wise. I lived there for 4 years and really liked the area.