Moving to Vancouver, BC

[Gex]

Hi Guy's,

 

So I'm looking at immigrating in the next 3-5 years, I've been doing a lot of research and planning some trips to various places including Vancouver.   

There may be an opportunity for me to work in Dubai in the next year or so, but I don't plan on being there for much longer than 2 years if I go.

 

I've lived in the UK for 4 years and I'm not really interested in Europe.

 

Out of all the places I've researched Vancouver just sticks out at me, I really like Singapore too which I have visited but Vancouver is perhaps a bit more Western compared to Singapore, despite it being very multicultural, but I really like Asian culture and Asian people in general I guess.

 

I would like to hear from anyone who lives there or been there, good or bad.

 

Yes - I know property is expensive there, 4th highest in the world actually.

[Yoinkerman]

Vancouver is nice as a pedestrian. Not somewhere to raise a family because it's so expensive. You'd have to move to Surrey with Linus.

[Gex]

Vancouver is nice as a pedestrian. Not somewhere to raise a family because it's so expensive. You'd have to move to Surrey with Linus.

Well I'm currently single and don't plan on raising a family anytime soon but I guess you have to think of these things.

 

If money wasn't an issue, would it be ok for a family, there so much to do especially from an outdoor activity point of view it would seem like a great place? 

[Yoinkerman]

Well I'm currently single and don't plan on raising a family anytime soon but I guess you have to think of these things.

If money wasn't an issue, would it be ok for a family, there so much to do especially from an outdoor activity point of view it would seem like a great place?

Yeah

[Misanthrope]

It's expensive but well worth it if you get situated: gorgeous city, lots of things to do. Plus you can always try nearby cities like Victoria on Vancouver Island that place was pretty nice as well. I say take an extended vacation there if at all possible.

 

But yes traffic is kinda rough (compared to my city is actually not too bad but for someone used to different traffic patterns and such it will be heavy and slow) but they're getting there with public transport so pretty easy to move around on the skytrain: My uncle used to live all the way in Surrey but right next to a skytrain station (or metro station or whatever you call it) and you could be in downtown in under 30 min, pretty reasonable

[Jumper118]

if you can actually get a work permit in canada then you might as well. 

[KayTees]

Getting a job here is fucking terribad. Living expenses are pretty high standard. Moving out to Surrey isn't a bad idea but there's some pretty reckless shit that goes down there. As for rent, for maybe 600-800$, you'll get a basement with 1 bedroom, and bathroom and maybe a living room? Getting settled in Vancouver isn't easy as its pretty complex so you would have to plan ahead unless you know someone here. As for job, again, its all about connections here. The easiest job from the top of my head would have to be McDonalds but fuck, I made a promise to myself that I would never work retail or at McDonald's. I lived up to my words. Also, the transportation in Vancouver is pretty good, it takes you pretty much all over the lower mainland and pretty fast. We have a subway like system called "SkyTrain". Its late but if you want to know more feel free to msg me, it's kinda late rn and I'm on my phone heh @Gex

[Gex]

Getting a job here is fucking terribad. Living expenses are pretty high standard. Moving out to Surrey isn't a bad idea but there's some pretty reckless shit that goes down there. As for rent, for maybe 600-800$, you'll get a basement with 1 bedroom, and bathroom and maybe a living room? Getting settled in Vancouver isn't easy as its pretty complex so you would have to plan ahead unless you know someone here. As for job, again, its all about connections here. The easiest job from the top of my head would have to be McDonalds but fuck, I made a promise to myself that I would never work retail or at McDonald's. I lived up to my words. Also, the transportation in Vancouver is pretty good, it takes you pretty much all over the lower mainland and pretty fast. We have a subway like system called "SkyTrain". Its late but if you want to know more feel free to msg me, it's kinda late rn and I'm on my phone heh @Gex

Thanks, really appreciate it.

 

Luckily the job part not a huge concern for me, the reason I'm actually asking is because the company I work for might open an office there and and would be potential to get a transfer.

The cost of housing does matter but not as much in this situation as when the company decides to relocate people they generally have to keep them in the similar conditions.

For example if I live in a 2 bedroom apartment in the city here, then they generally make sure that you are able to afford something similar after you have been relocated.

 

So I'm basically more interested in stuff like, public transport, weather, what are the people like, cost of electronics, cost of food etc. 

[SeriouslyMikey]

Take... take me with you. 

[KayTees]

Thanks, really appreciate it.

Luckily the job part not a huge concern for me, the reason I'm actually asking is because the company I work for might open an office there and and would be potential to get a transfer.

The cost of housing does matter but not as much in this situation as when the company decides to relocate people they generally have to keep them in the similar conditions.

For example if I live in a 2 bedroom apartment in the city here, then they generally make sure that you are able to afford something similar after you have been relocated.

So I'm basically more interested in stuff like, public transport, weather, what are the people like, cost of electronics, cost of food etc.

public transport is great to an extent, weather? Prepare for a fuckton of rain. People? Multiculturalism, a lot of Chinese (moi) cost of food? Depends what you like, electronics? Expensive as fuck, only 2 stores that sell good branded and not bootleg PC parts if that's what ur asking. There's BestBuy NCIX and Memory Express. Oh and if you're planning to order stuff from US to Canada, shipping prices are not tolerable (FrozenCPU, Buffalo NY? to Vancouver, tried to order a fan grill that's worth 6$, shipping is 20$)

[Gex]

public transport is great to an extent, weather? Prepare for a fuckton of rain. People? Multiculturalism, a lot of Chinese (moi) cost of food? Depends what you like, electronics? Expensive as fuck, only 2 stores that sell good branded and not bootleg PC parts if that's what ur asking. There's BestBuy NCIX and Memory Express. Oh and if you're planning to order stuff from US to Canada, shipping prices are not tolerable (FrozenCPU, Buffalo NY? to Vancouver, tried to order a fan grill that's worth 6$, shipping is 20$)

Holy balls! didn't think the shipping situation was that bad!

 

Multiculturalism is awesome, probably good thing I have a thing for Asian women #dannieriel  

 

NCIX prices seem pretty good, but that could just be because electronics in my current country is just retarded.

 

Thanks for the advice though, I need to plan a trip to go there sometime.

[KayTees]

Holy balls! didn't think the shipping situation was that bad!

Multiculturalism is awesome, probably good thing I have a thing for Asian women #dannieriel

NCIX prices seem pretty good, but that could just be because electronics in my current country is just retarded.

Thanks for the advice though, I need to plan a trip to go there sometime.

Oh, Vancouverites, prepare to see a fuckton of Lamgorhinis Ferraris and loads of Exotics. Watch this if you wanna fit in. How To Be A Vancouverite: http://youtu.be/pc-tVZq9a4Y

[Picklenuttz]

"Vang Couver"....who the fack says that.

[Gex]

Oh, Vancouverites, prepare to see a fuckton of Lamgorhinis Ferraris and loads of Exotics. Watch this if you wanna fit in. How To Be A Vancouverite:

Haha is it just me or do people in Vancouver always say the women are better in Toronto, and people in Toronto always say the women are better in Montreal?

[KayTees]

Haha is it just me or do people in Vancouver always say the women are better in Toronto, and people in Toronto always say the women are better in Montreal?

Welp, those are the 3 major cities in Canada. Vancouver, the frontier of the West. I've been to both Toronto and Montreal, Montreal is similar to Vancouver, Toronto... Idk why but it looks like the ghetto east vancouver until you hit Downtown

[Afiqos4253]

Hi! A little bit late to the topic aren't I hehe. I'm Singaporean and it's nice to meet you here on LTT forums!

 

If you're planning on immigration, you might want to scout ahead for a place to live. Buying a house is pretty expensive as our population increases, with a 3-room flat costing upwards of SGD$300,000. Rent however, will depend on the area that you live in and the person whom you rent from. 

 

As for bills (electricity, water etc), mine comes up to around SGD$150+ for electricity and around SGD$200+ for water. Do note that I live in a 5-room flat with 4 other people. 

 

Good and affordable food is always available, I can help you with that. 

 

As for transportation, public transport is always available almost anywhere, just that adult fare is a little expensive (Around SGD$0.79 if you use an EZ-Link card<-- Fare card)

Don't even dream of getting a car cause the Certificate of Entitlement, the piece of paper that allows you to drive your car in SG is around $70,000 for an average car such as the Toyota Picnic.

 

Making friends should not be a problem, cause there is the South African embassy where you can attend events and meet other South Africans if they organise any events, if not you can find interest groups such as Tech groups and get to know people from Singapore! 

 

If you need more information, do not hesitate to ask more questions here, I will be more than happy to help you:)

[Afiqos4253]

Hi Guy's,

 

So I'm looking at immigrating in the next 3-5 years, I've been doing a lot of research and planning some trips to various places including Vancouver.   

There may be an opportunity for me to work in Dubai in the next year or so, but I don't plan on being there for much longer than 2 years if I go.

 

I've lived in the UK for 4 years and I'm not really interested in Europe.

 

Out of all the places I've researched Vancouver just sticks out at me, I really like Singapore too which I have visited but Vancouver is perhaps a bit more Western compared to Singapore, despite it being very multicultural, but I really like Asian culture and Asian people in general I guess.

 

I would like to hear from anyone who lives there or been there, good or bad.

 

Yes - I know property is expensive there, 4th highest in the world actually.

 

Just quoting so you get a notification:)

[Delusional Phil]

"Vang Couver"....who the fack says that.

I do ... It's not that different from " Van Couver " .