I've not seen a track, but there are 400,000 sq kilometers of bush in BC. I quite often see pickups with a couple of dirt encrusted off-road bikes in the back so it must be going on somewhere.

Disturbing the peace and quiet as well as wrecking the forests.

I live on the Sunshine Coast, beyond beautiful, ideal for kids and such a laid back attitude. Although its a 40 min ferry ride to Vancouver, everyone commutes. Highly recomend it.

Are you aware that your 23 year old wouldn't be able to accompany you (and in all likelihood, your 21 year old as s/he will probably have turned 22 before you've found a job, got a LMO, visa etc)? Just didn't know if you realised that as you've mentioned taking them all with you, but only children that are under 22 can go with you on any visa, unless they are still in full time education (and have been continually since turning 22).

As for jobs, have a read of the Job Hunting guide in the Wiki, which is full of useful hints and tips.

What could be more Canadian?


<And a fine quote coming from a Pilot.........>

http://www.gkma.ca/Motocross/default.asp host to the CMRC Pro Nationals on June 5 & 6.

From my initial research hand what I have seen, the Sunshine Coast is one area I am certainly considering. I think we will end up heading for Vancouver until we secure jobs and discover the surrounding area.

But once we have fully settled in I would consider somewhere a bit more rural and laid back, so the Sunshine Coast seems ideal. You say there is a 40minute ferry ride, is this the one from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay? Are there any ferries from the Sunshone coat direct to Vancouver downtown? And if so how long do they take? What is the property price like along the Sunshine Coast?

no ferries direct, you have to get off at horseshoe bay then its about a 30 min drive downtown (traffic depending).

A friend of ours commutes from Gibsons to davie and burrard so it is possible, but sounds like a hell of a hassle to me, not to mention the expense.

Not sure about house prices, expensive I imagine like everywhere here.

I agree with Dboy. The house prices (actually checked recently cos was curious) are def. cheaper but that's because it's a hassle to get anywhere. Be a great place if you had your own business or only had to go to Van occasionally (once a week, for example) though.

I wouldn't personally choose to raise a family in Yaletown, but many yuppies do. Perhaps it's not a traditional family area, but if you're seeking a car-free, urban, downtown high-rise lifestyle, Yaletown would be a good area for families, especially with Elsie Roy Elementary school next to David Lam Park and the Roundhouse Community Center nearby. Kids in Yaletown learn to ride their bikes on the seawall, not on the streets.

We live amongst the Greeks on West Broadway. There are quite a lot of restaurants & a Greek supermarket. Once a year they hold a festival in the street & everyone eats souvlaiki & dances. I feel very at home here, just because we're all European (I'm not Greek)
http://insidevancouver.ca/2009/06/22...reet-festival/

I notice there's also an area of Greeks here.
http://www.vancouvergreeksummerfest.com/
This may be a bit more affordable than the westside. It's worth checking out when you get here.

Good luck
Helen

Edit : re posts 2 and 23 - it's a busy day!


If I were going to commute daily I would probably do it by transit. The bus service on the Sunshine Coast is timed to drop off and pick up when the ferry arrives. From Horseshoe Bay you can get a bus into downtown. Commuting by car is expensive and sometimes time consuming - a line up of several hours is not unknown on a summer Friday evening. It seems to work best for people who have some flexibility over their days or hours. If you can work from hone on Mondays and Fridays and go into town Tuesday through Thursday for example it becomes mush less of a chore.

As for prices, they vary greatly depending on water access, views and distance from the ferry terminal. You can get a one bed condo in Gibsons for well under $200,000, a single family home for $300,000-$350,000. Less in Sechelt. Waterfront is still mega bucks anywhere.

very good point. I saw an interview once about an american couple who moved there and raised two kids and the local parks etc which as much as their home as someones yard. I'm guessing they were minted though.... 3 bed in Yaletown.....

i love the west end of broadway, it never gets the recognition it deserves. Modern Burger....yum yum

Gibsons to Vancouver? - that's got to mean losing between 3 and 4 hours a day just travelling... only the crazy and the desperate put up with that kind of commute. If I had it, I'd move.