Mikeypm

If you willing to make a big commute then you can buy a place out on the sunshine coast for about 300,000

januarymix

Good for you I'm sure you must be excited.
Yeah but 1 mill whoah! Oh thanks for the suite explanation, that makes sense, I had never heard of that before and Google wasn't that helpful too for once :O

Cheerio.

januarymix

I'll google it. I wouldn't mind buying but it probably doesn't make sense at the beginning..pros for buying is just that sense of "oh home!" but the negative is it might take a little longer for me to figure out the home concept, especially after reading here. But definitely hope to buy eventually.

The rain in Vancouver is probably the biggest turn off about it, personally speaking.

Mikeypm

The rain is what makes it so lush, plus even when it rains when you look out and see Grouse Mountain etc it makes it a lot better than the view I have currently of the manchester skyline.

Mikeypm

Yes pretty stoked but just awaiting the LMO to put eberything into place now. To be honest I had never heard of the whole suite thing until my sister moved to Vancouver.

januarymix

Yeah I will have to see if it affects me too much or not.

Checking out places on Craigslist now, thanks for the referrals foreigngirl & MikeyPM!

januarymix

Aviator

Well you look out and see the grey clouds that engulf Grouse, you know it is there, you just cannot see it.

januarymix

Calgary feedback also welcome!

JonboyE

If you are keen to be downtown look at the area known as the West End. It is between Coal Harbour and English Bay. The rental stock is more older units - less steel and glass - but the rents are a bit cheaper. It is still walking distance to just about anywhere.

Definitely rent at first. It takes about a year to get to know Vancouver and the suburbs, and the type of housing available and what suits.

The Sunshine Coast is lovely, and the ferry ride to and from Horseshoe Bay is stunning. However, the commute to downtown is brutal if you have to do it every day. If you can work from home and visit the office once a week or so it can be ideal.

Rain? It bothers some people, but not me. It can persist down in November and December. This is when the bulk of Vancouver`s rain falls. We try and take a break somewhere warm and dry in December. Spring is not that different to the UK. We are now approaching summer when we can expect three months of dry, warm, sunny weather. Where you live can also make a big difference to your rain experience. Near to the mountains is significantly wetter than the south of the region.

januarymix

Many thanks, Jonboy!

I don't want downtown per se, but for work purposes at the beginning, I prefer an easier commute. The rest of your post, very helpful, as usual. I am quite apprehensive about liking it but I'll never know until I try it. Cheers for the leg up.

Almost Canadian

I don't think you will like Calgary

Lychee

Commercial Drive and Mount Pleasant/Main Street are areas outside of downtown (but quick easy commutes) which will be cheaper than downtown, but have a sense of community with shops, restaurants, a vibrancy to the street, etc. South Cambie as well.

Downtown Vancouver is also good, but rents typically are the most expensive, especially in Yaletown and Coal Harbour. Everything else is also expensive (groceries) but you don't have to commute. The West End is typically better value for money.

I've rented in Yaletown ($$$$$), South Cambie ($$$), and now Commercial Drive ($$) and it's astounding how much cheaper living only a 20 minute bike ride from downtown can make. The community is certainly more eccentric, but it's older and more established. I'm glad I made the move two years ago.

adele

I rent in Fairview (a block from Cambie and Broadway) and love it - so close to downtown, transit, seawall, stores, and yet it's still quiet and leafy. I hop on the Canada Line to get to work in the centre of downtown and get off 2 stops later - door to desk in 15 mins. I do NOT miss the Huddersfield - Leeds commute at all!

My OH lives just off Commercial Drive a few blocks from Broadway, that's a really convenient area too, and a bit cheaper - East Van is mostly cheaper than the west side. Main St. would be another good, affordable choice. Check out Padmapper and Craiglist to get a feel for the rents for basement suites, apartments, rooms etc. in the different areas.

januarymix

Thanks Lychee and adele!!