januarymix

Advice please, folks.

Preferences:

1. Easy to get to downtown with transport (ie direct connections, if it is a longer commute can be OK as long as it is an easy ride i.e. I don't have to stand and sweat for an hour)
2. Neighbourhood is considered safe, educated i.e. I can walk alone at night without feeling it is unsafe
3. Rents are not extravagant
4. Hobbies: parks, mountains, cycling
5. Prefer local amenities like supermarkets, doctors available

foreigngirl

we live in Coal Harbour (Vancouver). Looks like it ticks all your points, but depends on what you mean by 'rent is not extravagant'.
And also depends on what type of accommodation you like. If you're into modern condos in glass, high-rise towers, then Coal Harbour will be fine for you.
1. It's right in downtown, so walkable everywhere (I think it has a walk score of 97)
2. I used to have a stalker in the UK, so I'm very obsessed with safety. I've never felt scared where we live. Well, once I ventured down East Hastings by mistake and that was a bit scary.
3. Yes, depends on what YOU see as 'extravagant'. But keep in mind that there's no council tax here and if you work in downtown, you won't need to commute. And we've got all our bills included in rent, apart from Hydro, which is around $10-15/month. And we also have a gym and pool, etc., so no need to get membership.
4. Burrard inlet is right on your doorstep. Stanley Park is an 8-minute walk. English Bay a 10-minute walk. We can see Grouse Mt from our window and it's a 20-minute drive.
5. There's an Urban Fare, and a Shoppers Drug Mart. A 10-minute walk gets you to a Safeway. In terms of doctors, I go to Stein which is in Bentall 5, a 7-minute walk.

januarymix

Very helpful!!

Thanks foreigngirl. If you don't mind posting your rental range, that would help. Actually I am not familiar with detailed rent prices, but I guess I mean good value for money, and not upper range. (If not comfortable, that's cool also )

Thankyou!

Mikeypm

If you fancy Vancouver you could try East Van near commercial as there are good transport links with the skytrain and bus on the doorstep. You can get to downtown by public transport in 10 mintutes or so. Plenty of different shops including independtly owened stores. its a very relaxed area and I would be more than happy to walk around it at night

Rents in this area your looking at around 1100 to 2000 depending on whether bills are included and whether your going for one or three bedroom suite.

Ive seen a two bed suite for 1450 including all bills and cable and internet. depends what you mean by extravgant

foreigngirl

Coal Harbour is anything from $1500 to $15,000 or more per month. Have a look on Craigslist, just type in Coal Harbour in the search box.

As far as I know Coal Harbour is the most expensive area for rent in Vancouver. We initially thought it would be temporary and then we'd move somewhere else (our contract was for 6months), but having looked at other areas (Yaletown, North Van, etc.) we feel we're getting the best value for money here, mainly due to the location that you can't beat anywhere else. The only area we would consider is somewhere near English Bay, but prices are very similar to what we're paying now, so it's not really worth the move.

januarymix

Thanks Mike, it helps to see the ranges too.

Oh yes, I forgot: bedrooms would be 2.

I also don't mind a house but maybe for rental flat is best.

januarymix

Wow in that case I would prefer the lower end of it! I will search as you suggest.

Anyway that helps a bunch foreigngirl. Merci beaucoup!!

Mikeypm

A suite gets you the best of both worlds as its not a flat among many and the issue of communal areas etc and its not a full house so not the issues of a house.

foreigngirl

No worries. I know that Coal Harbour isn't liked much on this board, but it was recommended to me when I first started doing my research (can't remember who it was now) and I fell in love with it. Turned out that my partner had already been around there (he was on a trip there at the time) and loved it too.

januarymix

Oh I have not heard of the terminology "suite". I will google it, Mike. (You're right about issues associated with houses)

januarymix

How nice. I have a pretty open mind in relation to this stuff.
I will check out the area

Mikeypm

Coal Harbour seems nice enough, but I would prefer to be a bit further out of town.

januarymix

Mike

Have you started looking for a place yet?

I would love to buy but obviously cannot. Also I saw that they say houses can average a mill. That's insane.

foreigngirl

It was first recommended by Alan2005.

Mikeypm

Vancouver has been hit by both the winter olympics and by asian investment which means property is a preimum and a mill would not be that far off. A suite is basically when a residential house has been split into self contained for want of a better word flats. So it maybe one upsatirs suite and on downstairs suite or if its a really big house split into three suites.

I have already found a place to rent