Didnt realise i was being difficult Well im happy to be 20 mins or so away from the downtown core if it means i can have my own space as opposed to a walk in cupboard on the coal harbour costing me $800 a month!

I guess i want want everyone wants - safe area, good transportation, a bit of community spirit etc But i want to maximise my money and quality of life if possible. If i have to travel 20 mins on the skytrain to van, but it means i come home to my own pad, i'll take that over the broom cupboard in the west end. Hence me asking about the greater vancouver area.

Peace!

Jack

Those who live here have given their opinion. You're more than welcome to go against it.

Coquitlam will be much more than 20 minutes and i'd think New West would be longer also.

Factor in a cost of around $10 a day to use the skytrain from afar so that could be an extra $200 or more (plus many hrs of travel time) per month that you wouldn't pay if you lived downtown. Then added cab fare if you want to stay out much after midnight.

To each his own i guess.

800 for coal harbour would be a bargin. More like 1800 me thinks

You should be aware that what you spend on transit or gas will end being more than spending a couple of hundred more downtown, not to mention the value of your time....but you are looking for a compromise on location to gain some space.

Metro town, north burnaby and the quay are in New West may suffice. Also the North Shore, which would be my first pick for close proximity to down town. Not as cheap as other burbs, but still cheaper than downtown. Lower Lonsdale is easily accessible to the city via the sea bus and buses. Nice enough area, great community, tons of Brits, British pub that's packed to gills with the buggers. The Quay is nice. Very easy access to skiing in the winter and the great outdoors anytime....does rain more though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q_TAl8pU0I

also easy access to ambleside which is pleasant although a bit sleepy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-CKan4Nq0M

other than that coquitlam, port moody (nicer), surrey, are all options. Burmaby and new west are closer and have a fair few skytrain stations

have I missed summat or do we still not know if he is single or with family . . .

Yours truly is single 30-something, so an area with lots of eligible rich females would also be ideal.

Maybe you shouldnt read this
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2.../19376641.html

Hmm, I dont agree...a 2 zone monthly pass (2 zone would get you to Burnaby) is only $110 per month. If the OP stayed within Van (i.e. Commerical) it's only around $80 per month. To me a 15/20 minute commute is not a big deal and that would easily get you to BBy or outer Van - anything more than half an hour blows imo. There are lots of young people moving to Brentwood/Metrotown.

I agree with what everyone says about the West End etc, but if the OP is really looking for a more affordable option and more space, plus easy commute to Van, he could do a lot worse than BBy/NV. Like Coquitlam, for instance. haha.

The issue with Coquitlam is the transit there is not half as good and it's just that much further from Van (if you're on transit, add another 10-15 mins at least). The only single people I know who live there are living in mum & dad's basement to save $$/cos they grew up there. Otherwise it's somewhere to go to nest when you want to have kids.

perhaps, but throw in a few cab rides......i lived in coquitlam and at the time time saved may be a couple hundred, although was a nicer, newer place....spent more on gas going back and forth...I lasted 4 months and went back downtown....

I see commerical as a very decent compromise over new west or port moody etc

I live on the border of New West and Burnaby, and having lived down by Columbia street for 8 months upon arriving, I'd definitely be more inclined to look closer to Vancouver than New West.

Generally the areas around Skytrain stations are sketchier than the leafy streets where everyone has cars.

Affordability/time of transport is definitely not a reason to avoid the burbs though (especially transit). When I worked at Coal Harbour, I had a 40-45 minute Skytrain commute (including walking time to station and to work in Van), and it cost $110 per month for the transit pass. If you are transiting, a quick hint now, keep your monthly passes, and receipts if possible, and they're all a tax credit when you are filing your return - an easy way to get money back from a cheap form of transportation.

It is definitely more happening in Vancouver, and I'd think it would be easier to forge a friend base down there - however you are probably looking at a couple of hundred more per month to live.

Vancouver not ranked as North Americas most expensive city.
http://www.vancouversun.com/business...163/story.html

A consideration for new immigrants (and some locals).

Fixer upper considerations Yahk, Sandon, Spuzzum, lots of opportunity

Op. It has been quite awhile since I lived around Greater Vancouver but if I were to do it again I would draw on the following memories:

1)Top end of Granville St (Burrard Bridge St) quiet, 'hip' little Market area that is still not too onerous on the pocket (if no car); and

2) Burnaby/E Van border only if there is a practical reason, not much to it as a bit 'dumpy'; and

3) Try White Rock, a bit like Christchurch/Weymouth without all the rubbish in the streets(if you have a car); and

4) Surrey would not give up much more than cheap accomodation, and can be a bit of rough around the edges, traditional Immigrant stock, some decent Ethnic eateries though; and

5) New West, a slightly better version of 2) above; and

6) A little jewel could be found anywhere along West Broadway which cuts right across most of Greater Vancouver, look up the little leafy side streets; and

7) Another decent area would be on the right side of the Richmond Bridge area; same as in 6) above.

8) If I was willing to commute I would just go find somewhere quiet, and cheaper, out in Maple Ridge/Mission areas to be done with it.