Thinking of moving to Vancouver - where to look?

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Powell

Only $350-$400k? .... You are so screwed!

Here are your options...

1.) 600sq foot studio condo in downtown Vancouver.
Pros: very convienient... multiple whorehouses and drug dealers on your same floor.
Cons: no closets or bedrooms

With that money you can get a nice 1 bedroom apartment nowadays, downtown!

Not going to lie, the rest is probably true. Especially since most new buildings have to have social housing components.

And I AM going to blame them for my fire alarm going off all the damn time. And no, they aren't nice unfortunate single mothers.

Never going to live in a building with that situation again, once I move on from here.

[Stingray2004]

I guess that everyone has their own preferences but I"ll chime in.

You might want to take a look at White Rock - it has the beaches, Marine Drive has the ambience of a small California beach town during the summer months with its open air patio restaurants. Another area in the locale with character is Crescent Beach.

You may also want to look at Tsawwassen with its beaches and small town feel.

Both of these areas have about 1/3 the rainfall of the North Shore and some say twice the sunshine as well. They are also a little more laid back and relaxed compared to Vancouver proper and one can be in Vancouver's southern limits within 10 - 15 minutes along the freeway outside of rush hour.

You may also want to look at neighbouring Point Roberts, Wash. (part of the Tsawwassen Penninsula), which has relatively cheaper real estate and a house will be affordable for your budget - but it all depends upon your citizenship status.

http://www.realestatepointroberts.co...asp?PageID=125

My 2 cents.

[CorporateWhore]

Thanks for all the advice guys, there is definitely something here to look into.....from all the comments here, Lonsdale and Fairview seem like a pretty good choice. There are a few yuppie neighborhoods here in NY, so Im going to assume that's what Kitsilano is like, ha. Ideally I'd like to keep the yuppie factor in check, but then I also don't need to live in some sort of multicultural wet-dream.

Is Vancouver really the druggie hell everyone says it is, or are people just over exaggerating? I really don't mind urban grit (I live in Brooklyn after all, which compared to what Ive seen of Vancouver, can look like an industrial ghetto) I just don't want some methhead fucktard jumping my girlfriend.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

I guess that everyone has their own preferences but I"ll chime in.

You might want to take a look at White Rock - it has the beaches, Marine Drive has the ambience of a small California beach town during the summer months with its open air patio restaurants. Another area in the locale with character is Crescent Beach.

You may also want to look at Tsawwassen with its beaches and small town feel.

Both of these areas have about 1/3 the rainfall of the North Shore and some say twice the sunshine as well. They are also a little more laid back and relaxed compared to Vancouver proper and one can be in Vancouver's southern limits within 10 - 15 minutes along the freeway outside of rush hour.

You may also want to look at neighbouring Point Roberts, Wash. (part of the Tsawwassen Penninsula), which has relatively cheaper real estate and a house will be affordable for your budget - but it all depends upon your citizenship status.

http://www.realestatepointroberts.co...asp?PageID=125

My 2 cents.

Awesome, thanks for all this. Something like would be really interesting to look into, and it's great to get some specific names. As much as i like living in the city, a part of me really wouldn't mind trying out life in a more quite area, but still have access to the city.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Pinion

Lonsdale was what we settled on for best bang for buck. Somewhere where parking is (mostly) free and crime is low but still has an urban feel (and relatively cheap prices). If you're into skiing/snowboarding/hiking it's probably even the best choice overall.

But Kitsilano is definitely nicer IMO if you can afford it.

Do you find it's easy to get around from Lonsdale? Is there a skytrain or something to get into the downtown, or maybe some sort of ferry?

Do you need a car in Vancouver? I actually have never had a car in my life and I'm almost 30, so I actually wouldn't mind driving around, but it would be nice to have the option of reasonable public travel (in the city that is, of course not expecting is so much in the outskirts).

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Thanks for all the advice guys, there is definitely something here to look into.....from all the comments here, Lonsdale and Fairview seem like a pretty good choice. There are a few yuppie neighborhoods here in NY, so Im going to assume that's what Kitsilano is like, ha. Ideally I'd like to keep the yuppie factor in check, but then I also don't need to live in some sort of multicultural wet-dream.

Is Vancouver really the druggie hell everyone says it is, or are people just over exaggerating? I really don't mind urban grit (I live in Brooklyn after all, which compared to what Ive seen of Vancouver, can look like an industrial ghetto) I just don't want some methhead fucktard jumping my girlfriend.

They're pretty harmless. Just don't go down East Hastings.

Dan Rather had guts, but I guess behind the scenes he probably had police escort and a large crew.

Vancouver is much more yuppie than New York... but less so than say, San Francisco.

[Canadian Mind]

To give you a good idea of Richmond, think the area from Hoboken to Fort Lee, and replace all the Hispanics with Asians. The good and the bad, and there is even tunnels and train connections.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Vancouver is much more yuppie than New York... but less so than say, San Francisco.

Eh, that's ok. I used to despise the "perfect couples with babies and designer strollers" that you find in some NY neighborhoods like Park Slope, but these days it doesn't bother me as much anymore (shit, maybe I AM getting old!). I just want a place to ride my bike, do some kayaking, and have a bbq/beer in peace.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

To give you a good idea of Richmond, think the area from Hoboken to Fort Lee, and replace all the Hispanics with Asians. The good and the bad, and there is even tunnels and train connections.

Haha, bringing up Jersey is not a good sign!

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Eh, that's ok. I used to despise the "perfect couples with babies and designer strollers" that you find in some NY neighborhoods like Park Slope, but these days it doesn't bother me as much anymore (shit, maybe I AM getting old!). I just want a place to ride my bike, do some kayaking, and have a bbq/beer in peace.

Well, I didn't say they were wealthy yuppies. They just like Apple and Starbucks, preferably together, and hate large corporations (except Apple and Starbucks) and automobiles.

The wealth part separates them from say, New York or San Francisco where the cost of living is higher.

The knowing whats best for minorities and poor people is the same, though.

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Haha, bringing up Jersey is not a good sign!

Only because of the recent string of gun violence in the whole area. It really isn't too bad.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

Only because of the recent string of gun violence in the whole area. It really isn't too bad.

At least it isn't random, though. You are very unlikely to get hurt unless you're in a gang and asking to be hurt.

Comparing any crime in Canada to anything that goes on in the USA is like comparing Apples with Rocks. Yes, not even oranges.

[NetMapel]

I would absolutely recommend the Kits area as an excellent place to live in. It's young, vibrant, relatively safe, and a good beach nearby. Not sure about the financial side of it though, as I am sure it is expensive to buy a condo or house there.

[johnjimbc]

I think the observation that it does depend on what you want your daily life and access to be is important. My suggestion is that you rent first, perhaps in the west end of downtown - somewhere central - where some good rentals can be found. And just use your spare time to explore the city as you get settled - hopping across Lion's Gate to check out North Vancouver, hopping across the Burrard St bridge to check out Kits, hopping across Cambie to check out Mt Pleasant, Fairview, and the other places mentioned. Taking Skytrain out to Richmond, Burnaby, etc. Just go hang in various places, and learn how work - and work commute - fits into the scheme of things as well. Figure out the cultural mix of each neighborhood, see how it fits and meshes with your lifestyle.

The other important thing is will you have a car? I like not using the car during the week, but I do have one which changes my perspective I'm sure. I do use it to get out and about on weekends. If I didn't have a car, I'd probably have very different perspectives on what areas would work.

I moved here under 2 years ago and was naturally drawn to downtown, having lived in other downtown areas before for several years. And I do love it - the walking is easy, variety of things to see, central location to check out other areas, etc. However, I'll be the first to say that, with the natural beauty so much a part of the Vancouver experience, I find myself sometimes on the North Shore thinking, "hmmm, maybe taking a ferry over to downtown on occasion instead wouldn't be so bad." It is that nice and that much closer to the mountains and hiking. I was in Deep Cove a few weeks ago, which I had never discovered until recently. And even there they had plenty of daily restaurants, shops, and groceries to take care of my need to feel I'm in a walkable community. From that community specifically, you would probably need a car, though there is bus service. But my point being is it was completely different from downtown yet still within relatively easy access . . . it felt almost like island living but without having to catch a ferry , which has a definite appeal to me these days.

I hasten to add that one of my favorite things about living in downtown Vancouver is that you can live a downtown experience yet get out of town within 20 minutes typically - barring back-ups on the bridges, which I've learned to avoid for the relatively short time each day when it's a problem.

I've never experienced the ability to escape the city so easily - from downtown to wilderness in less than an hour on any given day. That's pretty remarkable, and one of the big draws of the city.

My main point is just don't think you have to pinpoint a precise place before you make your move. See if there are options to give you a few months or a couple of seasons to see what really gels with your lifestyle - and realize your lifestyle could change as a result of being here. I know mine did.

[Spring2008]

Not form Vancouver, but know my way around a bit

How about downtown West-end. Relatively more affordable condos, close to the beach and stanley park.

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by johnjimbc

My suggestion is that you rent first, perhaps in the west end of downtown - somewhere central - where some good rentals can be found. And just use your spare time to explore the city as you get settled - hopping across Lion's Gate to check out North Vancouver, hopping across the Burrard St bridge to check out Kits, hopping across Cambie to check out Mt Pleasant, Fairview, and the other places mentioned. Taking Skytrain out to Richmond, Burnaby, etc. Just go hang in various places, and learn how work - and work commute fits into the scheme of things as well. Figure out the cultural mix of each neighborhood, see how it fits - and meshes with your lifestyle.

Yeah, that's a good plan. As Ive said, I've been there before and have some very vague memories of the place (most of them good), it would make sense to rent for a few months and see what area makes the most sense.

The other important thing is will you have a car? I like not using the car during the week, but I do have one which changes my perspective I'm sure. I do use it to get out and about on weekends. If I didn't have a car, I'd probably have very different perspectives on what areas would work.

I actually would like to have a car. Ive never had one before, and the idea of being able to get out of dodge quickly on weekends is really appealing. Not sure if most buildings have underground garages or not...parking can't be worse than NY though, ha.

However, I'll be the first to say that, with the natural beauty so much a part of the Vancouver experience, I find myself sometimes on the North Shore sometimes thinking, "hmmm, maybe taking a ferry over to downtown on occasion instead wouldn't be so bad." It is that nice and that much closer to the mountains and hiking.

Honestly, that's sort of my initial leaning was towards as well.....somewhere a little quieter, but with access to the city. I've done the hyper urban living thing for almost a decade now, so I don't need to live in the 50 story condo.

I hasten to add that one of my favorite things about living in downtown Vancouver is that you can live a downtown experience yet get out of town within 20 minutes typically - barring back-ups on the bridges, which I've learned to avoid for the relatively short time each day when it's a problem.
I've never experienced the ability to escape the city so easily - from downtown to wilderness in less than an hour on any given day. That's pretty remarkable, and one of the big draws of the city.

Awesome, sounds perfect. Where did you come from btw?

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by NetMapel

I would absolutely recommend the Kits area as an excellent place to live in. It's young, vibrant, relatively safe, and a good beach nearby. Not sure about the financial side of it though, as I am sure it is expensive to buy a condo or house there.

I would imagine a house is out of the question anyway....but that's ok, we currently live in a 450 square foot closet, so Im sure whatever we can afford will be bigger.

Now I just need to find a job, which I'm going to guess is harder than the accommodations.

[Jimby]

I'm enjoying life on Bowen Island which is part of the GVA and it has easy access to the city.
The ferry from Snug Cove to Horseshoe Bay takes 20 minutes for the crossing, and the scheduled water taxi service takes 30 minutes to Granville Island.
Lots of people commmute daily. My next door neighbour works at UBC.
I'm paying $1,500 a month for a 3 bedroom 2 bath bungalow with attached double garage and a nice ocean view in the Deep Bay neighbourhood, which is like suburbia except there are no sidewalks or street lights. It is a 12 minute stroll into Snug Cove where there are stores, services, and restaurants. It is about a 3 minute walk to the beach.
However as seductive as life is on the island, I don't think I can afford to buy here. The house I'm renting is a million dollar tear down. Anything less than $600,000 is a shack in the woods. There are lots of properties on the market that aren't selling, but prices remain high.

[agrant]

I can vouch for Kits. There are no substitutes.

Originally Posted by Canadian Mind

I don't mind being called white, it's the way I am.

Being called a "white boy" makes me feel as though I'm part of the same clan as the Duke boys from the Dukes of Hazard. So I'm not a fan of the term, even though there's really no other way to describe my skin colour.

[johnjimbc]

To answer your question, my partner and I moved here after living in Washington, DC, for about a decade.

We loved it there. It's one of, if not the, most underrated cities in the US. Great neighborhoods, incredible streetscapes, fantastic transit system, cultural attractions at every turn (most free), and a huge natural park - Rock Creek Park - that most people outside the area have never even heard of. But living downtown, if you really wanted to leave the city and go the mountains in Virginia or to the Chesapeake or Atlantic coasts you had to plan ahead. There was no "hey, let's drive out to the mountains today" after breakfast on a Saturday unless you had already mapped out how the day would work .

I know NYC would be that much worse, but it was still a big challenge in DC. Coincidentally, one thing I do miss about DC was being able to take the train up to the Big Apple. We absolutely loved the easy easy train access up the eastern seaboard.