Living in Vancouver offers everything you can imagine, which is why so many newcomers choose it every year. There’s a high living standard, great job opportunities, great schools, many fun things to do – and that list is not complete. Read on to find out more things that confirm why Vancity is a desirable destination for newcomers.
Vancity is ranked as one of the most livable cities, and it is among the best places to live abroad. There are many reasons for that – once you get all of your documents needed to travel abroad and arrive here, you’ll soon realize that it’s one of the top-rated destinations for living overseas. Let’s go a bit more in detail about what you can expect when living in Vancouver, BC, after figuring out how to immigrate to Canada.
Living in Vancouver Means Residing in Some of the Best Neighborhoods in Canada
Are you trying to find out is Vancouver a good place to live in? Then we have some good news for you – Vancity has many amazing and diverse neighborhoods and areas you can choose from. We selected six you should consider after moving to Vancouver:
- Kitsilano/Point Grey – This area is a mix of shops, stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and residential houses. There are only a few buildings with apartments, and they are mostly low-rises. There are also several beaches and yacht clubs. Families and students usually choose this neighborhood.
- Pleasant – If you’re moving to Canada and looking for an older residential area with not that expensive rents, Mt. Pleasant is the perfect place. Olympic Village is a recently built area that has become popular for people to move to. There are many restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops on every corner.
- Kerrisdale – Finding a single-family home will be easy in this neighborhood. It is less trendy than Kitsilano, and there are no beaches, but there are many nice houses and mansions.
- Downtown – This area of Vancity is very big, and it’s filled with malls, restaurants, and apartment buildings. It is very well kept all the time and is one of the most expensive Vancouver neighborhoods.
- East Vancouver – In this area, you can find the lowest average rent in Vancity. It’s not the cheapest place to reside in Canada, but it is certainly the most affordable in this city. It’s not near the water, there isn’t that much new construction, but you’ll be only 15 minutes from Downtown.
- Burnaby – Known as one of the best places to reside in CA, Burnaby is on this list because of its proximity to the Downtown. Using Skytrain, you can commute only 25 minutes and be in the center of Vancity. Being its own town, Burnaby has everything from big malls to great restaurants and stores.
Is it Expensive to Live in Vancouver?
Before you start dealing with learning how to reside abroad in Vancity, you have to see how expensive is the cost of living in Vancouver. You’ve probably heard that life here is pretty pricey, and many people who are moving abroad alone look for roommates so that they can pay the rent.
According to Numbeo, a single person needs around $950 per month, while a family of four needs $3,500 – without counting the rent. The monthly rent varies depending on the location and the size of the apartment, so it can be anywhere from $1,600 to $3,500 and up.
What Salary Do You Need to Live in Vancouver?
Having in mind the average monthly costs and rents, you can see that it would be enough to have a salary of $2,600 to reside comfortably here. If you’re sharing expenses with someone, even better. However, if you’re supporting someone who isn’t working and you have to pay for everything, you might need much more. Luckily, the average monthly salaries in Vancity are $3,700 after taxes.
You Can Find Work in a Bank, IT Industry, Tourism, Real Estate, and Many More
Jobs in CA are one of the most inviting things for newcomers. It isn’t hard to find work in Vancouver, so if you’re preparing your relocation questions to ask the employer, check where you can work when you arrive:
- Vancity has a booming tech scene, so if you’re interested in working in the tech industry, check out the BC tech jobs website.
- If you’re in financial services, it would be best to get a job at the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia or HSBC Canada,
- Vancity Community Investment Bank and HSBC Bank are two top institutions if you’re looking for working in a bank.
- Ledcor Group of Companies and 2. Charlwood Pacific Group are recommended for real estate agents,
- Craigslist is also an amazing source of employment opportunities,
Watch the video below to find out some useful tips on finding a job in Vancity.
Amazing Transportation Is One of the Pros of Living in Vancouver, Canada, but You’ll Need a Compass Card
Life in Vancouver is good and easy, and one of the reasons for that is great public transportation. Many people don’t even own a car, and it is not just because of the expensive car insurance and congested traffic. Public transportation here is reliable, clean, and it runs almost during the whole day. The public transit service is called Translink, and it offers a wide range of services for Vancity residents.
If you wish to use public transportation here, you have to purchase a reloadable Compass Card and pay your fare. Your card is valid for 90 minutes, and you can use it for buses, trains, SeaBuses, and all other transportation options there are. You can also get a monthly pass and avoid thinking about how much money you have left on your card.
Both Education and Healthcare Are on a High Level
If your reasons to move are getting a great education and free healthcare, you know that Canada has your back. There are two major universities – Simon Fraser University and The University of British Columbia (UBC). There’s also the British Columbia Institute of Technology for polytechnic education, several community colleges, and a private entertainment arts school called Vancouver Film School. As for the lower education, keep in mind that your kids will attend the school where you choose to live unless you choose private education. There are many publicly funded high schools with the top academic performances, such as Semiahmoo Secondary, Surrey, and Lord Byng.
As for healthcare, the universal thing that applies for the whole country is valid here as well – BC residents get world-class healthcare. Once you get a BC Service Card, you will have medical coverage in any hospital in the city. It is also a lot cheaper than in the US. If you’re applying for permanent residency, you can qualify to enroll in the British Columbia Medical Service Plan – the public health insurance. The enrollment period lasts three months, so it is essential that you have some other type of healthcare coverage during that time. That will probably be covered by your employer or a private health insurance provider.
Vancity Doesn’t Disappoint Even When it Comes to Fun Things to Do
Don’t let the rain stop you from having fun in Vancity. This place has so many things to do, so it is completely worth moving across the world. After all, you’re coming to one of the friendliest countries in the world with the prettiest nature and incredibly diverse people. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, your fun will never end. You can go camping, hiking, skiing, and spend time on one of the many beaches.
Each season brings amazing things to do, so you can be sure that it will never be dull. Some of the best places to visit are the Capilano suspension bridge and regional park and Lynn Canyon Park and suspension bridge. If you’re scared of heights, be sure to check out Locarno and Jericho Beaches, as well as Seawall.
For all food lovers, this place is like heaven. The diversity of eateries will leave you speechless. You can find all kinds of food – from Asian to Western, Mexican, Indian, and many more.
Moving to Vancouver Offers One of the Best Options for Road Trips
Another fantastic thing about Vancity is its location. It is right next to the American border and close to many other beautiful places. If you own a car, you can invite some friends (or go alone if that’s what you prefer) and go on a road trip. The state of Washington is right around the corner, so you can hop to Seattle anytime you want.
Another option is going on the Sea to Sky Highway that offers you one of the most magnificent views of coastal mountain scenery. Vancouver Island is also close, and it’s beautiful for exploring. If you’re an adventurer and you love spending nights under the stars, relocating to Vancity will be an amazing choice.
Is Living in Vancouver Worth It?
You’re probably asking yourself this after reading our article. The expenses you’ll have are on one side, while on the other is everything that this cost brings. You will have clean air, a good lifestyle, many fun activities, close proximity to nature and the ocean, as well as amazing and friendly people. On the other hand, the rents are very expensive, and if you plan to work for a minimum wage part-time while studying, you probably won’t be able to afford life here without any financial support on the side. Before you learn how to keep in touch with friends and figure out how to live in another country, put everything on a scale and decide for yourself if the price of the Vancity lifestyle is really worth it. We think it is.
Your Move Will Be Much Easier With an International Moving Company
The relocation stress you will experience after moving internationally is not a thing that should be taken lightly. International moving can be very complicated, especially if you plan on taking your household items with you. International moving by air is faster, but it is also more expensive. Having someone that can help you to organize your move will be extremely beneficial, so consider hiring a professional company that can provide you with everything from packing services to efficient overseas vehicle shipping. In case you need it, you can also ask for the service of custom crating and a free storage unit for a month. Shop around for quotes and get the most cost-effective deal for relocating to Vancity.
