Moving to Vancouver
Aug 24th 2017, 2:30 pm
#31
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
Thank you Engineer_Abroad. It really is opening my eyes a bit on Vancouver as city, it really sound like such a breathtaking place and unfortunate that with crime levels and housing prices that it takes this away.
Where would you recommend in Canada for a young family with children under five? I seem to be edging more and more towards Toronto after hearing so much Negativity toward Vancouver.
Where would you recommend in Canada for a young family with children under five? I seem to be edging more and more towards Toronto after hearing so much Negativity toward Vancouver.
Aug 24th 2017, 2:39 pm
#32
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
As others have said whether you will enjoy Vancouver or not is all dependent on how much money you earn. For a 1 bed apartment expect to pay between 1500 and 2500 CAD a month so the salary is going to influence whether you are struggling or thriving.
Vancouver also has some of the lowest salaries of the big Canadian cities so it can be a double edged sword. That being said it is in a beautiful location, there are few places in the world were you get sea to mountains in a single vista and Vancouver is stunning. Unfortunately as others have said this has been attracting a lot of attention from property speculators and as such house prices have been soaring (think 10-20% year on year). This has led to some real inequality in the city with a huge homelessness problem and the associated low level crime and drug use.Most of this is confined to the low east side but it is obvious anywhere in the city. The city and provisional government (new NDP government) have only really started to change things very recently so we are realistically 3-4 years away from any true change.
I find people are friendly but not personable and the growing sense of the city as a playground for the rich has not helped this. many long term Vancouverites are feeling majornalised.
That said I enjoy the craft beer scene here as well as quick access to some of the worlds best kayaking and hiking locations. One real benefit is you are only 30-45 mins from the backcountry which feels like a million miles away from the city.
I think I heard it described best as Vancouver is an ok city in a great location. If you picked up Vancouver and moved it to say Alberta or Ontario people you not give it a second glance.
I've been here for a year and 9 months and still enjoy the city but there are some issues that seriously irk me and given a chance I would move out of the lower mainland.
Vancouver also has some of the lowest salaries of the big Canadian cities so it can be a double edged sword. That being said it is in a beautiful location, there are few places in the world were you get sea to mountains in a single vista and Vancouver is stunning. Unfortunately as others have said this has been attracting a lot of attention from property speculators and as such house prices have been soaring (think 10-20% year on year). This has led to some real inequality in the city with a huge homelessness problem and the associated low level crime and drug use.Most of this is confined to the low east side but it is obvious anywhere in the city. The city and provisional government (new NDP government) have only really started to change things very recently so we are realistically 3-4 years away from any true change.
I find people are friendly but not personable and the growing sense of the city as a playground for the rich has not helped this. many long term Vancouverites are feeling majornalised.
That said I enjoy the craft beer scene here as well as quick access to some of the worlds best kayaking and hiking locations. One real benefit is you are only 30-45 mins from the backcountry which feels like a million miles away from the city.
I think I heard it described best as Vancouver is an ok city in a great location. If you picked up Vancouver and moved it to say Alberta or Ontario people you not give it a second glance.
I've been here for a year and 9 months and still enjoy the city but there are some issues that seriously irk me and given a chance I would move out of the lower mainland.
Thank you.
Aug 24th 2017, 2:41 pm
#33
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Location: Vancouver BC
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
Thank you Engineer_Abroad. It really is opening my eyes a bit on Vancouver as city, it really sound like such a breathtaking place and unfortunate that with crime levels and housing prices that it takes this away.
Where would you recommend in Canada for a young family with children under five? I seem to be edging more and more towards Toronto after hearing so much Negativity toward Vancouver.
Where would you recommend in Canada for a young family with children under five? I seem to be edging more and more towards Toronto after hearing so much Negativity toward Vancouver.
If I could move I would be heading either across to the Island or to Atlantic Canada. However, as others have said you go where the work is and my work is here in Vancouver.
Don't get me wrong the city has its bad points (but so do all large cities anywhere). I would suggest you come out for a holiday and see what you think. I fell head over heels for Vancouver and still think the city is a lovely place to live and am hopeful for the mid to long term future. I just think it has an identity crises right now and needs to find itself again.
Aug 24th 2017, 2:48 pm
#34
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Location: Vancouver BC
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
Crown corporations and rampant corruption/miss-management at tax payers expense (BC hydro, ICBC, BC ferries, translink etc.), lack of competition in almost all sectors (more Canada wide I know), accepted levels of corruption in the provincial government, sense of entitlement that many people have here, a 'melting pot' where no one wants to melt, high property prices and rents, lack of protection for renters, draconian alcohol laws.
Last edited by Engineer_abroad; Aug 24th 2017 at 2:53 pm.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:07 pm
#35
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
In your opinion, Would me and my partner (Me: IT - Computer Sciences Degree, Partner: Veterinary Nursing Degree) be able to live comfortably in Vancouver having a combined wage? We should both technically have good jobs?
Aug 24th 2017, 3:14 pm
#36
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
Don't forget to add on a big chunk to the proof of funds amount required, to allow for the cost of setting up home in a new country, and in case it takes one or both of you quite a while to find work.
Good luck.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:14 pm
#37
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
http://britishexpats.com/forum/canad...nt-get-759654/
so I'll leave that city alone. Toronto's different in some ways though. The features of Toronto as I see it are:
- genuine multi-culture. One year one of my children was in a school class in which no two children had the same combination of passports. There's no ethnic majority.
- in light of that, it's not "Canadian" in any specific way, it's a lot like Pittsburgh (not that there's anything wrong with that)
- fabulous food in restaurants or shops, almost anything can be purchased from a native of the country of the cuisine. Mexican food's a bit lacking.
- diabolical traffic. Either live within the city (427/DVP/401/lake) and don't leave or don't live there and don't try to go.
- pollution, foul air in the summer and lots of shit in the lake.
- work, lots of it. Some jobs very well paid.
- housing no longer cheap, it's less costly than Vancouver but that's not saying much. A differentiator is that, in Toronto (like London or San Francisco), it's possible to pay for the expensive house by making lots of money in that location.
- ugly built environment. Vancouver's ugly too but, at least, the view is nice if you can't see the buildings.
- no scenery to speak of.
- crumbling infrastructure, ineffective corrupt government. When I arrived the Gardiner Expressway was under temporary repair and plans were afoot for a long term solution. That's the current status, 30 odd years later. A fortune has been made in patching it up.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:16 pm
#38
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
What are you hobbies? What are you into? Do you want to live in burbs or downtown? Will you use transit or own a car? Expected salaries?
Sorry but this only a question you can answer with your own research.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:28 pm
#39
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
lack of competition in almost all sectors (more Canada wide I know),
sense of entitlement that many people have here
Unless you mean campaign managers feel entitled to the CEO position in the Power or Liquor board once they got their 'client' elected to office.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:29 pm
#40
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Joined: Mar 2014
Location: Okanagan
Posts: 4,899
Re: Moving to Vancouver
OP - 1. Have you actually visited Canada? If not and you are serious in your thoughts
then it is crucial
2. What is your motivation to move? What is wrong with where you are now?
then it is crucial
2. What is your motivation to move? What is wrong with where you are now?
Aug 24th 2017, 3:34 pm
#41
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
I get the impression the Canada wide bit applies to the first part, not just lack of competition.
I'm curious about that one. I get the impression that people in Canada - even Brits - don't like to use the word let alone feel it.
Unless you mean campaign managers feel entitled to the CEO position in the Power or Liquor board once they got their 'client' elected to office.
I'm curious about that one. I get the impression that people in Canada - even Brits - don't like to use the word let alone feel it.
Unless you mean campaign managers feel entitled to the CEO position in the Power or Liquor board once they got their 'client' elected to office.
Second bit is certainly true but I do feel like Vancouverites have a chip on their shoulder about just how important they are. I was listening to a story on news of the other day about residents of a condo unit complaining to the media because they had been fined by the strata for not following the bylaws. I mean how entitled can you get then you think rules are for everyone else but not you.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:34 pm
#42
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Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 116
Re: Moving to Vancouver
I've been in Vancouver now for five years and absolutely love it here. As other posters have stated, the housing here is very expensive so I think how livable you find it will depend a lot on your household income. We bought a one bed apartment last year in Kitsilano and it has increased around 20% in one year which is just insane! It does look like a correction may be on the cards, but Vancouver is a desirable place to lives so who knows.
If you're the kind of person that loves the outdoors, you can't get much better than Vancouver and most of these activities are free. We take our dog to the doggie beach, we walk the trails in UBC, we hike the North Shore mountains and we play tennis - all of these activities cost nothing. If you however enjoy culture, Vancouver is sorely lacking.
I would really access what kind of lifestyle you desire. We recently decide we wanted to start a family and we seriously contemplated moving to Kelowna due to the house prices here. After some deliberation we decided to stay put in Vancouver because having a house is something we are willing to compromise on to stay in Vancouver and have access to the great outdoors here.
If you're the kind of person that loves the outdoors, you can't get much better than Vancouver and most of these activities are free. We take our dog to the doggie beach, we walk the trails in UBC, we hike the North Shore mountains and we play tennis - all of these activities cost nothing. If you however enjoy culture, Vancouver is sorely lacking.
I would really access what kind of lifestyle you desire. We recently decide we wanted to start a family and we seriously contemplated moving to Kelowna due to the house prices here. After some deliberation we decided to stay put in Vancouver because having a house is something we are willing to compromise on to stay in Vancouver and have access to the great outdoors here.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:43 pm
#43
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
I am afraid that is way too a subjective question for me to even think of taking on.
What are you hobbies? What are you into? Do you want to live in burbs or downtown? Will you use transit or own a car? Expected salaries?
Sorry but this only a question you can answer with your own research.
What are you hobbies? What are you into? Do you want to live in burbs or downtown? Will you use transit or own a car? Expected salaries?
Sorry but this only a question you can answer with your own research.
The average Computer Systems Technician(IT Technician) salary in Canada is $64,649 per year or $33 per hour. Entry level positions start at $45,000 while most experienced workers make up to $91,000.
Our hobbies include sightseeing, walks, camping, both avid cyclists, animals, we're thinking of owning our own car, maybe a rust-bucket at first, looking after our baby boy and I think we would both love to learn horse riding and skiing, we both would love to try new things and get out doors as much as possible.
We've always combined our wages together and payed off bills that way, easiest way tbh. We aren't to bothered about people, we do tend to stick to ourselves but my partner loves to go to mum and baby groups as well as walk the dog (when we had a dog).
Last edited by ChrissRoss; Aug 24th 2017 at 3:46 pm.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:47 pm
#44
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
...I was listening to a story on news of the other day about residents of a condo unit complaining to the media because they had been fined by the strata for not following the bylaws. I mean how entitled can you get then you think rules are for everyone else but not you.
Aug 24th 2017, 3:54 pm
#45
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Re: Moving to Vancouver
I've been in Vancouver now for five years and absolutely love it here. As other posters have stated, the housing here is very expensive so I think how livable you find it will depend a lot on your household income. We bought a one bed apartment last year in Kitsilano and it has increased around 20% in one year which is just insane! It does look like a correction may be on the cards, but Vancouver is a desirable place to lives so who knows.
If you're the kind of person that loves the outdoors, you can't get much better than Vancouver and most of these activities are free. We take our dog to the doggie beach, we walk the trails in UBC, we hike the North Shore mountains and we play tennis - all of these activities cost nothing. If you however enjoy culture, Vancouver is sorely lacking.
I would really access what kind of lifestyle you desire. We recently decide we wanted to start a family and we seriously contemplated moving to Kelowna due to the house prices here. After some deliberation we decided to stay put in Vancouver because having a house is something we are willing to compromise on to stay in Vancouver and have access to the great outdoors here.
If you're the kind of person that loves the outdoors, you can't get much better than Vancouver and most of these activities are free. We take our dog to the doggie beach, we walk the trails in UBC, we hike the North Shore mountains and we play tennis - all of these activities cost nothing. If you however enjoy culture, Vancouver is sorely lacking.
I would really access what kind of lifestyle you desire. We recently decide we wanted to start a family and we seriously contemplated moving to Kelowna due to the house prices here. After some deliberation we decided to stay put in Vancouver because having a house is something we are willing to compromise on to stay in Vancouver and have access to the great outdoors here.