Theresa

This is a last minute decision made by my boss. I'm so stressed. Can you help me?

karla

Hi, I live in Vancouver and love it here, I think you will to if you like the ocean,mountains, sunshine ect. If you are working downtown you may want to live in one of the condo's on the west side of downtown ( basically, anything west side is nice, east side get scummy/scary)another option is the kitsilano area, a trendy, yuppie place with lots of cool shops, close to the beach and still walking distance to downtown, the Shaugnessy/Dunbar/Point Grey area is high class and generally more expensive, a 10 minute drive or 15 min transit ride to downtown. If you have a family, you may want to live in the valley (Burnaby, New Westminister, Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Mapleridge,ect) you'll have a longer commute (up to 1 1/2 hrs each way) but it is safer and much more affordable. Some web sites to check out if you're interested in renting are www.classifiedsbc.com and www.amsrentsline.com. Keep in mind that in Vancouver proper west is good east is scary. I recommend kitsilano.

Bryan

as a lifelong vancouverite, i suggest the mount pleasant area. it's very central: you can walk downtown and there is easy access to the funkier parts of the east and west side. lots of suites in old heritage buildings if you're into that.

klam

I used to live in Vancouver, so here's my two bits...<BR><BR>If you are moving from New York City, then I suggest you live in Downtown Vancouver as you are used to the downtown hustle-bustle vibe. Some good choices would be:<BR><BR>West End: close to the beach (English Bay), walkable to downtown, lots of activity even at night. Demo: mix of large gay population, yuppies, and seniors.<BR><BR>Downtown: say Coal Harbour area. New developments between downtown and Stanley Park.<BR><BR>Yaletown: still being gentrified. A few condo-rises, lotsa loft conversions. Close to theatre, sports arena, some good restaurants. Used to be the boy stroll after dark...getting better but still some residual left.<BR><BR>Of course all the downtown locales are more expensive, but given the weak CAD$, and the high rents of NY, it will probably feel like a super sale for you!<BR><BR>If you want to live outside of downtown, I agree with karla in that Kitsilano would be a good choice. Demo: youngers, yuppies, and liberals (vegetarians, organic food eaters, etc.)<BR><BR>Generally I agree with karla in that the westside of Vancouver is nicer than the eastside. Having said that, I disagree that the entire east side is scary. There are some nice parts to it, like Fraserview. And some interesting parts like Commercial Ave.<BR><BR>FYI, Shaugnessy and Point Grey are where the "old money" tends to be...full of doctors, lawyers, and faculty-type in large mansion-type housing.<BR><BR>If you want to live in the 'burbs, consider North Vancouver. Close to downtown (just over the bridge), or take the Seabus over right into downtown, low crime, beautiful views and scenery. Feel like you've left the job stress behind when you drive home. Big enough, yet still small enough that there's a sense of community. (I used to live there, we knew our neighbours, etc.) <BR><BR>Of course with all of these areas, I am generalizing...how could one suggest an area without?<BR><BR>Best of luck with your move. Vancouver's a great place...especially if you like the outdoors. And it has lotsa good restaurants. Once you get there you will probably find it pretty small!

Robyn

Theresa,<BR><BR>That's crazy your boss is able to switch your life around at such a last minute notice! Any idea as to where you'll be working?<BR><BR>Nevertheless, here's a great page to start off:<BR><BR>http://www.vanmag.com/cityguide/default.html<BR><BR>It'll give you a taste of Vancouver and it's satellite cities. Kitsilano is definitely a great community.<BR><BR>BritishColumbia.com has an amazing and extensive "Regions and Towns" section. It's incredibly informative. Here's their section on Greater Vancouver:<BR><BR>http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/vcm.asp?regionID=5<BR><BR>If you want to read deep into each Vancouver neighbourhood (and I'm no longer talking about satellite cities such as Richmond or North Vancouver), but actual neighbourhoods within the city of Vancouver (such as Kitsilano, Yaletown, etc) - the best website for that kind of information is:<BR><BR>http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/community_profiles/<BR><BR>Definitely check it out!<BR><BR>BTW - My own personal suggestions would be Kitsilano (for a trendy, youthful, beachside neighbourhood with a great summer atmosphere), Yaletown (some people call it the SoHo of Vancouver... very upscale and trendy. Lots of new condos), and the West End of downtown (a mix of old and new apartment complexes... a funky mix of people with beautiful tiny gardens, a walk to anywhere downtown, a short walk to the beach and Stanley Park, and a short walk into the business/shopping districts.<BR><BR>BTW - Stanley Park is Vancouver's "Central Park" - 1000 acres. You'll enjoy it! And as for food, recently New York's "Fat Guy" Steven Shaw has been in Vancouver and raves about the restaurant scene...<BR><BR>http://www.canada.com/national/features/fatguy/<BR><BR>You might want to take in his opinion of Vancouver.<BR><BR>Another great website to find information on Vancouver is www.vancouver.hm or you could always check out my little personal Vancouver page at Virtualtourist up at http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/.110720/1629/?s=g<BR><BR>Hope this helps!

Theresa

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!<BR><BR>I really appreciate all your responses. I always heard that Canadians were nice and this just proves what I've heard. <BR><BR>Thanks again,<BR><BR>Theresa!

eastvaner

This is for Karla that says that East Van is scary. GET A LIFE! I have lived my whole life in Vancouver and have lived in various parts of Vancouver and I don't find the east side scary at all. It's people like you that don't know what the hell you are talking about that give East Van a bad name. Who the hell wants to live in a neighbourhood of yuppies? I for one don't. I like the East Van. You can find all sorts of people there not just yuppies. You are the type of person that now goes to hang out on The Drive because it is now cool and fashionable to hang out in " certain" ethnic areas of the city.

eastvansucks

Hi....<BR><BR>To make sure people know.... East Van is a dump and the majority of the people are Asian or Arab and are probably on welfare.

gary

Please guys - don't respond to the above. If it's not a troll it's as good as. The main differance between East Vancouver and the West side is average income and amount of greenery. The people are just as good as anywhere and therew are in fact some very lovely neighbourhoods.

heidi

East Van is great!!!! I've lived theer my entire life! We now have 3 kids and they go to a great school. The crime rate is very low as well.

kristen

East Van is not sscary..thats garbage. But if your not on a shoestring then living in Kitsilano is probably a great idea especially if your new to town.

stephie

East Van is generally fine but there are some areas that are a bit suspect. Unlike the West side... I vote for Kits or Westend (don't confuse Westend with West side...West side is Kits...Westend is downtown) If you lived in Manhattan, I think you will like Westend.

sue

i am very proud to live in the east side in a very nice neighborhoud, where i brought up my daughter, the people are real here, no phonies. vancouver is a very expensive place to live to east side is more reasonable, leaves me more money to travel! Please still consider east side, with all the various cultures.

ruthie

RELAX, you're going to LOVE it here. Live in the West End, for sure, especially if you'll be working downtown. Steps to the beach, the view is spectacular, next to Stanley Park (much bigger than Central Park), lots of restaurants, shops ...<BR><BR>Second choice would be Kitsilano -- right across False Creek from the West End. Really nice, but you'd have to walk across a bridge get to downtown. Being a New Yorker, I'm assuming you are not arriving with a car ...<BR><BR>Enjoy Vancouver! It's cheap, it's beautiful, and summer's almost here.<BR>