Tirytory

Ugh! And the difference between you and them is?

Oink

It doesn't work that way here. Everywhere is new so anything outside a city centre will be at best be a soulless sub-divivsons of newish houses interspersed between strip malls and big box stores. Apart from the natural landscape, the place is really a long series of connected ugly buildings. Think of Hounslow but without its charm.

scrubbedexpat091

At 170k may not be able to own in Vancouver (not sure if its enough to own or not) but you should be able to find a suitable rental and just live downtown, otherwise all the suburbs are pretty much the same just have a different name.

Alan2005

Renting in kitsilano might be right up OP's alley.

BristolUK

I suppose that's a variation on the $60k is do-able.

nativenewyorker

You really have to come and try these different areas for yourself, but I can pretty much guarantee it will be very different to what you are used to. We were in North Vancouver to start with and absolutely hated it, others on here love it. We live in Maple Ridge now and love it, others hate it, so it is very much a case of each to their own. Surrey has some very nice areas so don't discount it based on what you read on here from a handful of people. My best advice would be to try and get a short term rental so you can really get a feel of all the different areas for yourself before committing to one area. Good luck!

JonboyE

If you can't get by on $170k you have problems. It is more than enough.

Which just proves that you should be cautious about believing idiots on the internet.

Claireblou

Thanks all.

Tirytory. I'd like to think the difference between me and them is I would be a self sufficient immigrant. Emigrating because Canada needs my husbands skill set. Self sufficient. I'd expect the refugees to be claiming benefits. Probably not fluent in English. Different religion and culture you get the general gist. Thanks anyway your comment was so helpful.

Tirytory

I think you have said all you need to...

dbd33

Something you don't seem to grasp is that in Canadian cities it's common, even usual, not to have fluent English. I'm not sure what religion you would expect non-refugees to have but, here, there's no prevalent religion. If you wanted to pick somewhere in the UK with a similar population mix to where I sit (small town Canada) it would be Brent.

Vancouver does not, imo, have a diverse population by Canadian standards but it's way less white and anglophone than you seem to expect.

christmasoompa

Blimey. Just be aware that whilst you might think there's a difference between you and 'them', when you move you'll all be viewed as immigrants, no matter what language you speak.

You'll find far higher numbers of immigrants in Vancouver than in Hertfordshire (Vancouver is the most 'Asian' city outside Asia, something like 45% of those that live in metro Vancouver iirc), so if that's an issue for you then I'd suggest Vancouver really isn't for you.

el_richo

You'll struggle to find places such as Harpenden, etc in and around Vancouver. Mountains are nice but at sea level the areas aren't comparable at all i'm afraid. Strip malls are so ugly for one. If i had to choose with the outskirts of Vancouver / Fraser Valley or Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire would be a no brainer.

Surrey is a bit like areas in south london where you have Dulwich Village nestled nextdoor to Peckham and Herne Hill. Nice pockets but some horrible areas.

I really think you should look to rent a nice apartment downtown near the ocean and beaches for at least the first year. There are a ton of family things to do on your doorstep, lots of families and some beautiful areas.

We have a 3yr old and there's always something going on in our community.

Look around the areas on South side of False Creek from the Olympic village at Science World across to Granville Island or Kitsilano. Also look at the West end closer to Stanley Park and English Bay. Personally, with kids, South False Creek is excellent. I pick my son up from daycare each day on the aquabus, although i think i enjoy that more than he does.

Alan2005

I hope OP sticks around for a bit as it looks like they will fit right in. I'm not even being sarcastic.

Claireblou

Thanks for the info. Just to clarify in my definition there's a difference between immigrant and refugee. That was my only point in reply to the original poster whom asked what the difference between me and a refugee was. I'm happy for a diversity of immigrants (I will be an immigrant) I don't however want to move next door to 4000 + Syrian refugees. (A previous post mentioned this had occurred in Surrey. ) either way this is off point so moving on thanks for some helpful info

Tirytory

You're a better class of migrant... I know I got it.

Edit that ... In reality you are a more fortunate migrant. Class is determined to be something else ....