I don't know how all this has happened but one Sunday evening I found myself applying for a job in Vancouver, a couple of weeks later I was flown out for a quick chat and now I find myself stuck in a visa application counting down the weeks before I can start a new life living in Vancouver!!!

I have so much to do before I make the big leap, least of my worries is trying to sell my car or arranging shipping for the few worldly possessions I own. My main concern is where to live?

I’m going to be working in Burnaby and don’t mind an hours commute each way. I’m a 27 year old single male and will be relocating by myself so finding somewhere where I can easily meet people is a must.

At the moment downtown Vancouver seems like the obvious choice. Does anyone have any views on life in Burnaby or North Vancouver???

Please help an excited brit!!!

Hi
I am still in UK at the moment, But the advice from me, ( married with kids and a canadian born wife), is live in downtown vancouver, If I was in your position/circumstances, it's where I would be, have a great time.
Cheers
Jerry

Hi,

We looked at North Van at one point and found it to be very nice, and really appealing, if a bit steep in real estate price compared to Burnaby, you have apartments at all ranges more lower end at the Lower Lonsdale area (closer to shore/Burrard Inlet) and more upscale heading north further up the mountain side then homes and townhomes further up all very nice esp the ones nestling against the mountain right at the top - but be wary of mud slides, lower Cypress area I think> and get realtor to ensure disclosure and history of part plus future potential mudslides. We saw some really nice apartments halfway to Deep Cove quite close to shore with views over B/Inlet.

As a single dude, a nip across from Lonsdale Quay to Downtown via Seabus is a funky way to access all the funky happenings and upscale shopping of Robson plus the fine dining opportunities, while still being 'away from it all' over on North Van, and there's plenty of regular and ethnic eats in N/Van anyways.

Ski-ing up on the North Shore mtns just a few minutes away, Sea to Sky Highway takes you up country 2 hrs <?> to Whistler for world class winter snow fun. North Shore mountain biking, is the best in the world. I think being in the same position as yr good self it would be my #1 choice but that's just my 2c.

Commute to Burnaby isn't bad over the Steelworkers / Second Narrows <?> Bridge just the occasional traffic glitch due to accidents and the occasional bridge-jumping suicide case etc. Far less than 1 hour commute covered off there.

IMHO Burnaby = sprawl North Van = class

Rich.

Apparently Kits (Kitsilano) is the place to be! It's really nice there and I think a lot of young people live there. There are mountain and city views and a really nice large beach. Go check it out.

Hi Mighty Bean,

Am in similiar (ish) situation to you, have PM'd you!

Have you joined Brits2Vancouver? Post your question on there too.

The single folk and dinkies that socialise a lot together seem to to live in Kits or lower lonsdale (north vancouver).

BTW: congrats on the job offer!!!!

Clare

Thanks guys!

I'm thinking kits or lower lonsdale myself. Does anyone know how easy it would be to get public transport to Burnaby??? I'm hoping that I can survive without a car for the first couple of months (maybe longer) so easy links to transport is playing on my mind. Luckily the company I'm moving to is putting me up downtown for the first month while i get my bearings!

Added bonus if these areas are where the single folk mingle! I'll check out the Brits2Vancouver web site too!

Thanks,
An ever so grateful excited Brit!

You might want to take a short term rental - I move across in the next few days and have taken a 3 month lease out on a place in Yaletown (which is pretty good socially).

I don't have a job lined up, hence I want some flexibility in location until I get sorted.

Anyway - good luck

Hi Bart,

I'm in the same boat as you and moving over next month. Do you have a website for short term rentals? Or those anyone know of any?

Cheers,
Boylerz.

There is an easy to book over the internet one www.suitedeals.com I stayed there when I first landed.

If you join Brits2Vancouver and check the folder called accommodation under the links section you will find quite a few URLs to check out

Clare

Where is the job? If its near a skytrain station in Burnaby, you can survive without a vehicle from Kits. Kits is where all the pretty young things live. I wouldn't work in Burnaby and live in North Van without a car, as the additional commute to pick up the skytrain at Waterfront is tedious.

We lived in Kitsilano for a year (returned last August) and it was fabulous! We went apartment hunting the day after we arrived and found a great place within two days (West 5th Avenue/Yew Street). The beach was a five minute walk down the hill and we were surrounded by trendy shops and coffee shops. It's a great place to meet people as there are so many young people in the area and downtown is ten minutes on the bus.

We're leaving England again in August but this time we're off to Halifax for four years. Good luck with the move!

I did the commute from North shore to UBC (admittedly not Burnaby) for 2 years. The best bit wasn't "tedious" at all - the 15 minute cruise across the Burrard inlet is lovely, especially on those rare mornings when it isn't raining and the sun is making the towers pink. Bliss

But commuting to Burnaby - the only ones I know that do it from the North Shore tend to drive (or ride share through Jack Bell foundation)

Does it really rain that much in Vancouver?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClareBC

I did the commute from North shore to UBC (admittedly not Burnaby) for 2 years. The best bit wasn't "tedious" at all - the 15 minute cruise across the Burrard inlet is lovely, especially on those rare mornings when it isn't raining and the sun is making the towers pink. Bliss

But commuting to Burnaby - the only ones I know that do it from the North Shore tend to drive (or ride share through Jack Bell foundation)

I'm a Vancouverite just back from two years in London (I already miss British accents) and feel I can offer some sage advice.

If you're going to live in the downtown core you have two choices: Yaletown or English Bay (aka "the West End"). They are both fantastic places but for different reasons. Yaletown is new, pricey and trendy with great brewery bars and lots of squeaky-clean yuppies. English Bay is slightly older, slightly less pricey, more colourful and closer to the beach. It really depends on what your style of living is. Personally I'm an English Bay fan, and will be looking to move near the corner of Davie and Denman in the coming months (Davie and Denman is the hub of English Bay).

If you want to live satellite to the downtown core you have two (completely opposite) choices: Kitsilano or North Vancouver. These are also both great choices but for different reasons. Kits has fabulous beaches and restaurants, but without a car it would be difficult (or at least VERY time consuming) to get to Burnaby. North Vancouver would therefore be a more reasonable satellite choice for you. Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver is a brilliant place for transport, restaurants, supermarkets, parks, etc. I lived on East 1st for three years and loved it.

If you want to live halfway between Burnaby and downtown Vancouver you have two choices: the area around Main Street or the area around Commercial Drive. Main and Commercial have the best and cheapest ethnic restaurants, best fringe theatre and best indie music stores. They are similar in that they are both becoming bohemian centres of art and culture... but the downside is there is slightly more crime than the aforementioned places. One bonus of Main Street is that it has a Skytrain Station, which would be brilliant transport for you.

Burnaby is a nice place, but if you're looking to be close to the action, I wouldn't recommend it. I think you should come to Vancouver and tour the places you're considering. See how they feel before you commit because Vancouver is really diverse. There's something for everyone if you know where to find it, so if you need any further help just drop me a line.

All the best and good luck!

Kimberley
(Another Bean by nickname)