Hi Guys,

We keep seeing threads about Ontario with nice pics and how wonderfull it is. Have not seen many threads about Vancouver. The ones I have seen seem to knock it. All I seem to hear is that it has nice scenery, it rains a lot, and thats about it.
We were out there June last year and liked what we saw.
We are taking 3 kids with us so we want lots of things to do for them. The family we got living in Vancouver say it's great and lots to do (but of course, they would be biased).

So come on, anyone got some nice info on what Vancouver (especially the Maple Ridge/POCO/Whonnock area) has to offer for a young family.

Cheers,
SS
:confused

There are valid reasons for knocking Vancouver. Ontario and Alberta have more job opportunities than you would ever find in BC. Unless you are in the trades, mining, logging or the service industry, it can be tough to find employment in Vancouver. Yes, the mountains are nice, very nice scenery, but the stories about the rain are true. If you want to monitor the rain situation, take a look at this web cam every so often...

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fea...s.htm?CMBC0016

For Kids, there would be lots of activities... biking, skiing, snowboarding, etc. Unfortunately, a lot of people head to Vancouver and become quite disappointed when they realize a very poor quality house will cost them about $400,000 anywhere near Vancouver. They become even more disappointed when they can't find a job to support that house.

As for the family living in Vancouver, yes, they would be biased. It could be pouring rain outside for 2 weeks straight, but if you mention that to a Vancouver local, they get quite defensive and almost hostile. Not sure why, but I've encountered that quite frequently.

Regardless, Vancouver is definitely NOT a place to just pack up and go to, it's necessary to visit before you make such a large move.

Very good points. Although I hear that the economy in Vancouver is improving to some extent. It rains damn near every day there in the winter!

This site has a few photos of places in the fraser valley. A good resource, although some of the photos look a little dodgy.
http://fraservalleyguide.com/MapleRidge.html#Places

I love Vancouver. The opportuity is there for the taking and the opportunity is going to rise over the next 5-6 years.

Granted house prices are ridicouls but having come from the UK it doesnt make a bit of difference to us.

It does rain here, but unlike the UK, the rain is quite pleasant....and when it is warm here it is very warm.

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with a lot of potential to grow (which is is). There are some horrible areas but this is apparent in any major city.

I cant comment on other areas as i have not had the chance to explore yet. However, i would recommend Vancouver for a younger family who enjoys city life and the opportunity that comes with that.

Gaynor

Theres always the Island to consider as well. If you can find a decent job, and like the outdoors, then the island is agreat place to live and raise your kids.

Hi Spongebob,
What type of work would you say is more abundant on the island?
I work in care, what's the situation with regards hospitals and the care industry in general over there?...... any ideas?
Cheers, Katy

The health care system has been in a bit of turmoil as of late. The HEU which is the Hospital Workers Union called a strike 2 weeks ago which caused a lot of grief across the province. This also effected union run care homes as well. They where striking because the health care system in BC is costing a lot of money , ageing population, etc and the goverment wanted to save some money by demanding the HEU take a pay cut and accept some contracting out of jobs to private companies. The unions didnt want this so they striked. They have now accepted pay cuts of 11 % and some contracting out of jobs so they have all gone back to work but understandbly are not happy chappies.

So to cap it all, care work (which did pay $19 an hour) may end up going private and be on $10 an hour if Mr Campbell gets his way. The nurses are on a good rate here and are always in demand. The doctors wanted to strike for more cash but lost some face with the public so they called that one off.

A bit of a hornets nest at the moment for health care really.

This site givea little info on what they are predicting which way jobs will go in BC by profile.

http://www.workfutures.bc.ca/

This is the site for the health authority that covers vancouver island.

http://www.viha.ca/


If you are a nurse in the UK you may find these useful.

Canadian Nurses Association
http://www.cna-nurses.ca

Registered Nurses Association of B.C.
http://www.rnabc.bc.ca

British Columbia Nurses' Union
http://www.bcnu.org

Thanks for the in depth feedback and all the links! Sounds like BC health workers are having their fair share of problems.... 11% is a chunk and a half of anyones' wages, never mind someone who's on a pretty basic wage to start with!
I'm not a nurse myself, i come under the "community/ social services worker" description on the NOC list, so i'll have to look more thoroughly at the "work futures" website you listed, to see how likely it is i could get into that line of work on the island.
Thanks again for the reply & info.
Katy

What you have to realise is that even the lower skilled jobs such as cooking and cleaners where on $19 bucks an hour because it was union, up to 9 weeks holiday a year and only needed to do a 36 hour week.

They are the highest payed workers for there job description in all of canada. So you have to understand the story from both sides of the fence.

Glad the links were of help.

Hi Sunny Sussex
I will send you a PM too - as there is a Brit family who do rent out their suite to families who are over here on an investigatory visit, and it is the area you mentioned.

Do visit before committing yourself

I really cannot understand the comments about the rain, it dosen't rain that much - but then again, I'm from NW Britain, and my southern family used to moan about the weather when they visited me in the UK!! Anyhow the weather in the areas you mentioned are better than downtown or north shore. There is someone who is going back to brtiain (can't remember who - it is back a few messages) and the weather did get him down

I think it is great for kids (but then again, I think you can say that for the entire of Canada!!)

Good luck

Clare

I'll post some aerial photos from my latest stint in Vancouver when I get home. May help explain why I'm a fan.

I'd agree with most of the posts here, it certainly has it's foibles and ideally you want some experience staying and/or working there before committing to a move. Isn't that always a good idea though?

Cheers, Iain

Here are some nice aerial photos of Vancouver. Admittedly this is the area where my sister lives and I think its one of the nicest in the whole of Vancouver - lovely and green - near enough to downtown etc. but not too near - near enough to the beach etc.

http://www.globalairphotos.com/galle...couver/Central

take a look - the photos are neat even if you aren't thinking of moving to Vancouver!!

Ok, some Vancouver photos. First is the view toward downtown and the North Shore from Queen Elizabeth Park. Second is an aerial shot of the North Shore, I believe part of the partially-snowed Grouse Mountain ski area is top right. Third is an aerial shot of the sunset over Bowen Island from about 3,000ft above West Vancouver.

Cheers, Iain