Hi Desertfox.

I live in north burnaby in the area Dboy described. We love it. However, rent in this area is also more expensive, averaging around $1600 per month for 2 bed apartment. However, if you can find something I'd highly recommend this area because it has excellent amenities, great access via transit or roads, and a real neighbourhood feel, plus it's beautiful and has a great view of the north shore mountains. I love it here.

I've also lived and owned in east van and it's patchy, depending on where you are. commercial drive is a great area, very buzzy and energetic, but lots of panhandlers/dealers are also there due to skytrain stations/general neighbourhood stuff. More low income too. Again, though, a great neighbourhood feel and I have friends there who love it. Anyway, there are lots of options! Feel free to PM me if you want as we've lived all over this area.

Good luck!

Oh, I just realised you had school age kids. Then there are definitely areas of east van I would avoid. Generally the schools in north burnaby are good. In my area (I have a school age kid) we have a fine arts elementary (complete with dance & art studios), a sought after 'community' school, a catholic school and a french immersion. For kids, the heights is fabulous because there's an indoor pool, preschools, elementary schools, a huge park, athletic track, library, etc. etc. all within a few blocks of each other. And it's safe, as dboy can attest.

Okay. I think I've covered it

hey Kiwilass - where are you in The heights- we are looking at the area at the mo...

PMing you 4bells.

ta x x x

Yes a very boring area to police! Which is a good thing from your perspective. The heights is also really close to downtown Vancouver. My other half and I were looking at a house on Capitol Hill. It was listed 6 mths ago for 880,000 and is now down to 740,000. If it hits 550,000 I might bite!

I'm to going call Derek Corrigan in the am and ask him for some kind of fee for promoting the city!

You may not also be aware that Burnaby is the host city this year for the police and fire world games:

http://www.2009wpfg.ca/index.shtml

yes I am working in North Vancouver, just sat the CRNE in Oct.

Hi teressa- just wanted to congradulate you on passing the crne, im still waiting to hear if ive completed the crnbc registration. my written job offer is suppose to be on its way but awaiting the pink form to send to employer from crnbc! frustrated!!!!!arrrrhhhhhhhh

Teressa congratulations on passing the CRNE!

Kae, are you waiting your job offer by post? fraser health sent mine thru email and received it last week. I have now sent the CRNBC form 4 (pink form) to fraser health via email attachment and they will forward it to CRNBC.

We are busy tidying our house a bit and hoping to put it in the market by the end of this month.

Kiwilass, thank you so much for your information and would certainly look and consider that area in North Burnaby. Our priority once we get there would be to find good and safe neighbourhood area and good schools for the children, probably walking distance as wife not driving yet. I guess I have to start looking for schools now right? If it's not too much hassle do you have a link to the schools in that area? many thanks.

http://sd41.bc.ca/

The vast majority of people send their children to the local school. Schools tend to reflect the area they are in. If you live in an affluent area (like N Burnaby) you are, more then likely, going to find decent local schools.

Hi desertfox,

they said they (recruitment) would send it by the end of last week. ive re-sent my updated details (change of address in my profile) and my step up salary form. they said they would send or email, me sign it and send it back. ive had a problem with the form ?30 that accompanies my transcripts as one of the boxes (from england end) wasnt ticked to say i had covered the maternity aspect in my training, so now that crnbc has everything (3 weeks ago) im still waiting for a decision re completion of my registration. therefore no pink form 4 to send back, i presume this is delaying my written offer!

As for the house- we accepted an offer the 2nd week in december and moved out on 19th december!!! very quick...we were very lucky with the sale, now renting short term...it was good to de-clutter!

i think i might e-mail them to see if there is a problem.

good luck with your house sale

oops that should have been accepted an offer 2nd week in november and moved on 19th december!!!

Jonboy beat me to it!

There are lots of schools in the north burnaby area. Are your children elementary age or high school age? If you go on the burnaby school district website you'll find registration information. You're supposed to register in february (and you'd need to prove you are in catchment by providing an address) but don't worry. The schools HAVE to take children in their catchment (the same as a school zone area). I know people that have registered later and been fine.

http://sd41.bc.ca/schools/elementary/

The north burnaby district is the one at the top of the map facing onto burrard. The only school I've heard notsogood things about is Rosser. The rest are good.

I know how frustrating it is especially with crnbc, just feel free to ask for help if having problems with forms
Terese
btw thanks