good news! (for me anyway ) i'm heading out to vancouver at the end of january for a week to see family and attend some interviews. there's one i really want but as i'm out there i'll take the general advice of networking and setting up as many meetings and interviews as possible.

i'm really excited about this and hopefully it marks the first concrete milestone on my path to immigration.

if anyone in the vancouver area would like to meet up for a coffee while over there then feel free to let me know it'd be pretty cool to talk with people who've actually made the transition about things like home sickness, general life in vancouver and whether it's been the right choice for them.

hopefully i'll be staying somewhere near the drive (any recommendations for affordable bedbug and idiot free hotels/hostels would be warmly welcomed


phase one: begin!

Hope your trip goes well and don't forget to let us know how you got on.

Emma.Giles

I love your avatar... The Big Lebowski is one of my all time favourite movies... the Dude would be proud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp3DE...eature=related

Not sure of any hotels near the drive. There are some b and b though:

http://www.thedrive.ca/BBs.shtm

beyond that, I'd look at Broadway (Holiday Inn) ....otherwise stay downtown

the dude abides

thanks guys i think the b'n'b option is a tad too expensive for me, i really only need somewhere to sleep at night and leave some stuff; it doesn't have to be particularly swanky or have a view. i had a look at some hostels but the the ones down at the cheaper end of the market seem to be in the downtown eastside area and above late bars. that'd be great if i was a hedonistic bunac type but i do like to sleep...

i've found a days in to the south of commercial drive that looks ok and not too expensive, i'll have to check public transport links though.

i'm really looking forward to going, i've only been out there in the summer so it's going to have a different kind of vibe about it.


i'll keep people posted...

Make sure before you leave Van airport that you have or buy a raincoat, hat/cap and an umbrella and perhaps galoshes.

Yes, the DTES places are probably best avoided. If you are looking for somewhere cheap, but clean and safe, and don't mind being downtown have a look at the YWCA hostel http://www.ywcahotel.com/.

If you mean the one on Kingsway @ Victoria Drive you will be OK for public transport. You are within 10 minutes walk of Nanaimo Skytrain station and there are plenty of buses running up and down Kingsway.

It is not the prettiest part of town but OK. Lots and lots of Asian restaurants along Kingsway.

thanks johnboyE, i hadn't thought about the YWCA, i guess i just figured it was for female travelers.

i'm liking the idea of being close to plenty of asian food though anyone know any good little bars and places for some live music/open mic evenings on commercial drive? i've had a look at the drive's website (the rather orange and green thing ) but a little local insight from on here would be appreciated.


ta

the Havana and the Libra room are always good bets on the drive for music, also Timbre. As for Asian food....pick any part of the city.

Be sure to try some Vietnamese Pho whle you are here.

Apparently, the Westin Bayshore is doing some cracking deals this winter. That's a nice clean hotel without being too fancy.