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Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by wonderwoman1st
(Post 10170737)
For the hassle with traffic, the North shore is much easier to get there from, just avoid going during rush hour a.m and p.m regardless as the highways in Vancouver and North Vancouver were all a pain at rush hour regardless with line ups in traffic, avoid that lions gate bridge at all costs, as well as the traffic downtown.
North Shore is convenient for commuting to the North Shore and above.
Originally Posted by vash2009
(Post 10171130)
Just thought I'd post an update for those with a ready cuppa who wants to read. Went to Spanish banks and mulled things over as suggested. Loved the place!
Also went to see a house for rent in shaughnessy just to see what $3800 a month would give you......rubbish I say.They played off the fact that they were in the District of the shaughnessy elementary school (which we were interested in) Have booked some places to view tomorrow in Port Moody,they looked alright on Craigslist, and getting 3 br for about $2500. Did some research on Port moody and seems to be a developing area for families, so let's see. Cheers everyone My only gripe with Port Moody is the fact that like the North Shore, it's next to the mountains so you get a higher rain fall. Well worth a look if the house is in the right area though. There's a 2 bed apartment going in my building right now for a similar price, if that suits. Perfect views of the water, city, and mountains through floor to cwiling windowns, nice sized balcony, and lots of green space nextdoor. Hubby would be able to walk to work in 20 minutes or take transit in 10. You're south of downtown so don't have as much traffic to deal with and Granville Island and parks are a short walk away. Also if you're thinking North Shore, i like Deep Cove http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nv...129234247.html |
Re: We have arrived
Port Moody is a nice area with some lovely family homes. Probably much better for children than an apartment in a city centre imo, but each to their own.
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Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by nativenewyorker
(Post 10171273)
Probably much better for children than an apartment in a city centre imo, but each to their own.
We live on the sea wall 5 mins from downtown, the beach, granville island, next to a few parks, 10 mins to Stanley park and aquarium, 25 mins to the ski hills, pedestrian only areas so no worries about cars, great day care and schools. So I'm not sure what you mean? It's not better, just different. |
Re: We have arrived
Granted everything is on your doorstep, but children especially if young like playing in the garden or with their friends which they are unable to do if they live in an apartment, especially one on a high floor. As I said this is just my opinion, each to their own, but in my view apartments are for young couples without children or the elderly, rather than families.
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Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by nativenewyorker
(Post 10171416)
Granted everything is on your doorstep, but children especially if young like playing in the garden or with their friends which they are unable to do if they live in an apartment, especially one on a high floor. As I said this is just my opinion, each to their own, but in my view apartments are for young couples without children or the elderly, rather than families.
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Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by vash2009
(Post 10169537)
thanks guys. Jonboy, OH works in downtown Van, I intend to work after my kids (10 yrs and 3 yrs) have settled in school
-currently using transit but hope to buy a car soon.We rent on the day we ned to doalot of driving around. -30 mins to an hour commuting -outdoor stuff like cycling and going to the beach in our spare time and kids sports. -need a 3 bedroom house/condo as a garden is a preference. - rental budget- $2300 thereabouts. did go to real estate agents, but of no help really,all they were telling us were about properties $1m and over in shaugnessy as the elementary school and secondary school in that area are "supposedly very good". No rental properties. Estate agent did hint that property prices were expected to fall soon due to some new legislation (which totally flew over my head as his english was not very good). I find this experience daunting, how on earth did you guys do it an dwhat gave you the motivation? Will not think of going back to UK as OH has a very good job with a reputale company and the thought of hitting the UK job market again is a no no. Although I completely understand why, you must make a mental shift away from the standing UK dilemma of more $ = better house in better area = better school. It is simply not required in Canada and is one of the biggest 'relievers' that I believe parents would take away from their relocation. Put the area before the house in your planing and the school will just follow by default...not school - area - must then find that house. FROTSUK |
Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by nativenewyorker
(Post 10171416)
Granted everything is on your doorstep, but children especially if young like playing in the garden or with their friends which they are unable to do if they live in an apartment, especially one on a high floor. As I said this is just my opinion, each to their own, but in my view apartments are for young couples without children or the elderly, rather than families.
There are many thriving families around us with kids playing out and having fun. Our friends have their kids on the beach with friends in a matter of minutes or playing in the garden attached to the apartment. They all played boche this evening out there with a picnic after a wander around Science World just down the sea wall. It's surprising how many kids are learning to ride bikes out here recently too. It's a perfect place for it. We have lots of space in our apartments and tons of garden to play in. I still don't agree with you but like you say, to each his own. :) |
Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by FirstRatofftheShipUK
(Post 10171431)
Some very important advice to take on board, and has been mentioned a few times.
Although I completely understand why, you must make a mental shift away from the standing UK dilemma of more $ = better house in better area = better school. It is simply not required in Canada and is one of the biggest 'relievers' that I believe parents would take away from their relocation. Put the area before the house in your planing and the school will just follow by default...not school - area - must then find that house. FROTSUK I realize I am generalizing, but the vast majority of Vancouver families don't choose where to live based on the school; they choose where to live based on whether they like the neighbourhood or not. What public school a child goes to in Vancouver does not influence their social status. The local public school (where the vast majority send their children) will be good; it will reflect the local neighbourhood demographics. The schools in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood aren't necessarily any better than the schools in Port Moody for example, but the school in Shaugnessy would certainly have more of an allure simply because students come from affluent families in the nearby houses (houses which most cannot afford). But my point is that the school is not the reason why families move to Shaugnessy; Shaugnessy is the reason why people move to Shaugnessy. The education in a Port Moody school will be equivalent to the education one gets in a Shaughnessy school, as all public schools follow the same curriculum as outlined by the BC Ministry of Education. What makes a school better than the other in Vancouver (and the Lower Mainland) is often marginal (one school may offer an advanced biology class that the other school does not), or may be superficial (newly-built school vs. old deteriorating school) - but it is rarely worth basing one's move around; the education children get in the public schools are fairly equal from one school to the next. |
Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by nativenewyorker
(Post 10171273)
Port Moody is a nice area with some lovely family homes. Probably much better for children than an apartment in a city centre imo, but each to their own.
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Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by nativenewyorker
(Post 10171416)
Granted everything is on your doorstep, but children especially if young like playing in the garden or with their friends which they are unable to do if they live in an apartment, especially one on a high floor. As I said this is just my opinion, each to their own, but in my view apartments are for young couples without children or the elderly, rather than families.
We have a garden and spawn rarely plays in it, with or without friends. Her idea of a good time is to go to the park to play with friends or play on her ipod touch. It aint the 80s anymore. Lots of parks in the downtown area and loads of kids to play with in them. If they are steps from your building who cares? Children will enjoy wherever they live as long as they have access to the outdoors, which they do in spades in downtown vancouver. Hell I'd move there if the OH would let me. |
Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by Lychee
(Post 10172196)
Completely agree here.
I realize I am generalizing, but the vast majority of Vancouver families don't choose where to live based on the school; they choose where to live based on whether they like the neighbourhood or not. What public school a child goes to in Vancouver does not influence their social status. The local public school (where the vast majority send their children) will be good; it will reflect the local neighbourhood demographics. The schools in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood aren't necessarily any better than the schools in Port Moody for example, but the school in Shaugnessy would certainly have more of an allure simply because students come from affluent families in the nearby houses (houses which most cannot afford). But my point is that the school is not the reason why families move to Shaugnessy; Shaugnessy is the reason why people move to Shaugnessy. The education in a Port Moody school will be equivalent to the education one gets in a Shaughnessy school, as all public schools follow the same curriculum as outlined by the BC Ministry of Education. What makes a school better than the other in Vancouver (and the Lower Mainland) is often marginal (one school may offer an advanced biology class that the other school does not), or may be superficial (newly-built school vs. old deteriorating school) - but it is rarely worth basing one's move around; the education children get in the public schools are fairly equal from one school to the next. Real estate agents like to talk up the school thing - they love the fraser institute rankings for that reason too. It's just a sales tactic. The irony is, that Shaugnessy school will have teachers employed by the same school board as that east side school in a poorer area. The teachers all belong to the same union with the same annoying union rules about seniority etc - which means you're not necessarily getting better teachers just because the school is in a wealthier area. Equal chance of getting shit ones actually. |
Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by el_richo
(Post 10171434)
I accept your view.
There are many thriving families around us with kids playing out and having fun. Our friends have their kids on the beach with friends in a matter of minutes or playing in the garden attached to the apartment. They all played boche this evening out there with a picnic after a wander around Science World just down the sea wall. It's surprising how many kids are learning to ride bikes out here recently too. It's a perfect place for it. We have lots of space in our apartments and tons of garden to play in. I still don't agree with you but like you say, to each his own. :) Loads of kids around... |
Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by Kiwilass
(Post 10172253)
Thats' what I see too when I visit my friends downtown.
Loads of kids around... There's a couple of families in the gardens next to it sitting on blankets with a picnic and the kids are running like good'uns laughing their arses off. The kids park I can see across the water is full of kids playing too. The only benefit I see between living in a large house is you can pop to the other side onto a different floor if you need 5 minutes peace and quiet :) We'll be bringing ours up here because it will give them better opportunities ;) |
Re: We have arrived
I am glad we had a back garden when junior was younger. Boys in the 5-9 age range have a LOT of energy they need to burn off. Parks are OK but you have to supervise them. With a back garden you can send them out with a football to run around while you concentrate on more important things like watching TV and drinking beer.
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Re: We have arrived
Originally Posted by JonboyE
(Post 10172368)
I am glad we had a back garden when junior was younger. Boys in the 5-9 age range have a LOT of energy they need to burn off. Parks are OK but you have to supervise them. With a back garden you can send them out with a football to run around while you concentrate on more important things like watching TV and drinking beer.
No doubt I'll eat my words in 5-9 yrs ;) |
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