Best city to live in??

[BaconNeggs]

Check out Yaletown as well. It's right by downtown, but a lot of very good restaurants and nightlife there.

That is the area my penthouse is in for my all to frequent trips to Vancouver.
I chose it because everything is close and most anything i need i can walk to which is relaxing after a day of business to just go for a walk and leave the car parked. 90 seconds walking takes me to the dock for the false creek ferry if i want to cross over to say Granville island for some fresh ground coffee or looking for a painting to hang on the wall etc. The views are nice as well.

 

[rlock]

Hello All,

Thanks for all the pointers and opinions, I have perused through them all and it means a great deal to me (and it speaks well for your city) that you guys would be so willing to help out a stranger. I have been driving around with a buddy (co worker, who is local, and should be my support/subordinate so I guess he had no choice. Lol) and I checked out most of the neighbourhoods mentioned above.

I dont HAVE to live in Richmond, it's just so happened that the people that will be needing my support have offices there (The Asian market is the most prominent there) but I also have quite a bit it exposure near Oakridge (?) area and what not.

So far, I really liked mount pleasant, Olympic village and Oakridge.

I felt kits to be a be too hipster for me (lol) I love to visit Portland, but I do not know if I want to live in that kind of neighbourhood 24/7. I like how everything is "local" and "organic" but it's a bit too much too fast for me lol.

I will be taking classes for Chinese and work should be able to help too, but I did enjoy my short tour of China town - but I'll most likely visit and not live there I don't need that much excitement of the Downtown EastSide (I am assuming DTES, not something else?) I have heard things. I used to do MMA pretty avidly but, while I am not scared of those people, I do worry about parking and other issues, especially for my guests in the future.

Thanks everyone! I'll be watching this board for more tips and advice

How does false creek (Olympic village) stack up against Kitslano??
FC seems more central and Kits feels like a suburb? I feel the winding road (only have a few access points) are potential failures that can really mess me over if traffic or road conditions becomes bad.

I think Port Moody is out of my allowed range of the downtown core, but it seems quaint.. Maybe when I have a family one day? Lol

Kits is more high-end & expensive.

I would also say that False Creek is more central for getting around, but FC itself does have a lot of high-rises now.

However: Mount Pleasant (south of Broadway) is not as developed (yet), quite central and affordable.

Also, maybe Kensington / Cedar Cottage neighbourhood. Good access in all directions.

In general, Richmond is much easier to get to from East Van than the west side.

 

[johnsmit]

I don't live in vancouver
But travel over there 6 days a week
I figure where ever you live it should be by a skytrain station. Then you don't need to drive any where��
As to where to live in have not figured out which place I like yet. Yes the Olympic village are seem to look good as for glass tower that is going to be the new face of all the surrounding area. .and rows of town houses everywhere

 

[t44]

I live in Olympic village just by the main st science world station. Its a great area. lot of beggars on main st but its pretty quiet around here. A lot of good looking young chicks in yoga pants jogging in the park.

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

You guys (or gals) are amazing - if I can, I wanna buy everyone a round of beers. LOL.

I am supposed to fly at a drop of a hat whenever a contact might need me, thus the proximity to the airport requirement. But it seems like Burnaby (the furthest of the three cities) is only like, 30-35mins away according to google? So it's all pretty good.

I am sick of the downtown lifestyle, I want to not live near tall glass towers of high rises if possible.

As for scouting.. I'm here (please don't show up at my Hotel and stab me. Lol. The forum instruction says don't give out personal info, but I think I am being vague enough.. Unless you have access to the flight list with the airlines. ) tues-Thursday this week and Mon-Friday next week to figure out a living arrangement. And then by May I will be officially here. A vancouverian? A vancouverite? Anyways I am super excited. Not for the hobby (okay maybe a bit, but I was single for a while) but really for the food and the cool nature I'd surrounded by.

We got a giant lake and a waterfall in Ontario, boohoo. Lol.

Based on what you guys mentioned thus far, Olympic village and Burnaby seems to be higher on my list!

Thanks a bunch guys!!!

Ps: You can keep giving me advice /this thread alive for now since I don't have to make a decision until the 25th (for signing lease of a place that is, I already took the damn job. Lol)

Consider White Rock/South Surrey.

If you need to get to the airport, you can get there on transit really easily. If you have to go right downtown, you transfer at Bridgeport to get the Canada Line.If you're a GTA guy now, it's really not that different from doing the Go Train & TTC thing. If you're truly sick of the downtown big city lifestyle, why not make the leap? You'll FOR SURE get a lot more bang for your housing buck outside of the city. You can definitely get ocean views without being surrounded by highrises too: White Rock still doesn't have many! There are also a TON of great neighbourhoods with terrific amenities in South Surrey...lots & lots of new condos & townhouses.

Tour guide? Happy to. With the exception of 5 years of bliss on the Island, I have lived in Metro Vancouver most of my life.

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

Thanks for the replies! I posted with no expectations and got back to this thread in an hours' time with great responses!
I apologize for misusing the word "Tri-cities". I guess I am saying I ONLY have three options, which is Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond. (I asked my co worker who was originally from BC, he says work means I need to stay within MetroVancouver, which apparently different than Greater Vancouver. Also you guys got a North and a West Van?!?) do any Sp offer to be tour guides in the city?? Lol

Again, speaking as someone who's lived here my entire life, let me say this. If your friend left here before 2010 or so, discount what he's said about staying within Metro Vancouver...transit has made great leaps forward that make other communities so much more accessible!

 

[BaconNeggs]

You may want to invest in a good bullet proof vest if you move to Surrey.
Shootings there are just a normal day.
I know a few people who have moved away from there because tbey found it way too rough.

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

You may want to invest in a good bullet proof vest if you move to Surrey.
Shootings there are just a normal day.
I know a few people who have moved away from there because tbey found it way too rough.

Oh come on...

I have lived south of the Fraser River, in Surrey & South Surrey, since 1975. Never heard a gunshot, never witnessed a shooting, never felt the need to own a bulletproof vest. I have lived in Newton, I've lived in Whalley, I've lived in Clayton Heights, I've lived in White Rock, & now I live in South Surrey. Let's not forget that not so long ago, not many Vancouverites would not have been caught dead in Yaletown after dark, unless they were looking for a fix or a quickie from a SW looking for a fix.

 

[JonnyBoi]

Thank you for the input Erica!

I have heard lots of people for and against Surrey; in fact one of my new associates (she's a lady in her 50's) was telling me how great white rock and it's private school is (thinking I'd be settling down for good, which you never know with my job..)

However, I am mandated to pick between Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby, with work trying to get me to stay within Richmond.

Most likely I will consider Vancouver, it's central and beautiful!! I truly enjoy the walking around the neighbourhoods I've seen thus far (Spanish Banks seems tempting, but I am told that's basically 2months enjoyment and it's not like I'd be home all that much anyhow, hahaha). Also, if they know I am in Vancouver maybe they'd be less forcible to make me fly at the drop of a hat ...

Thus far my list goes:
Olympic Village
Mount Pleasant
Yaletown/Chinatown ish? (But the quiet areas, nearing the arena seems like a poor choice).

Thanks all! I really appreciate all your inputs.

 

[JonnyBoi]

Uh huh. And I've met Somalians who have defended Mogadishu.

Cmon bud, no need to be nasty. Surrey cannot be one of my choices anyway and trust me, we got some less than friendly comments from Toronto about our neighbouring cities too; let's all get over it.

Also I don't think it can be worse than Thunder Bay or our school-cities, every other weekend there is a body that shows up in the woods. (For the record, that's kind of why I dislike university towns, those kids are crazy lol).

 

[JonnyBoi]

My English may not be perfect, but aren't grottos naturally formed caved that has been carved by water?

Did you mean Ghetto??

Or worse yet, the "Grotto" inside the playboy mansion, which is this cesspool of hottub that is notoriously gross because it hasn't been cleaned ever but has seen more action than 10 SP's put together? Legends say if you take a tip in there you'd get a STD. Lol.

Regardless, I have no qualms with Surrey/Langey/White Rock (found out last week that someone painted a rock.. White?? There's gotta be more to that story than that right!?!?) and if Miss Phoenix is any indicator, then I'd dare say there are loads of good, intelligent people that makes up Surrey.

Don't get me wrong, I ain't white knighting. Don't have the patience nor the time - just don't like people picking on a city for no reason. I have heard Vancouver the "no-fun city", the "never get a date city" and "wet and lame city"... Etc, but I still gave you guys a chance and fell in love!

 

[BaconNeggs]

Here for an example is just talking about Jan to April 6th.
So 3 months.
Ya sounds like a gun free zone to me lol

https://www.google.ca/amp/globalnew...n-surrey-brings-the-total-to-32-for-2016/amp/

 

[JonnyBoi]

Here for an example is just talking about Jan to April 6th.
So 3 months.
Ya sounds like a gun free zone to me lol

https://www.google.ca/amp/globalnew...n-surrey-brings-the-total-to-32-for-2016/amp/

Shit in just three months!?
Yeah that's messed up. Lol. Well - it's not a valid option for me anyway but thanks for the info.

 

[summerbreeze]

Thank you for the input Erica!

I have heard lots of people for and against Surrey; in fact one of my new associates (she's a lady in her 50's) was telling me how great white rock and it's private school is (thinking I'd be settling down for good, which you never know with my job..)

However, I am mandated to pick between Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby, with work trying to get me to stay within Richmond.

Most likely I will consider Vancouver, it's central and beautiful!! I truly enjoy the walking around the neighbourhoods I've seen thus far (Spanish Banks seems tempting, but I am told that's basically 2months enjoyment and it's not like I'd be home all that much anyhow, hahaha). Also, if they know I am in Vancouver maybe they'd be less forcible to make me fly at the drop of a hat ...

Thus far my list goes:
Olympic Village
Mount Pleasant
Yaletown/Chinatown ish? (But the quiet areas, nearing the arena seems like a poor choice).

Thanks all! I really appreciate all your inputs.

I was born here and lived in a few areas but also lots of friends in different areas.

First advice I would give is rent in an area for a year before buying there.

The better areas (which are more expensive of course) have better neighbors and in general are safer.

In the business world and social world here you are judged by where you live.

In terms of working in Richmond, first pick would be Kerrisdale, second would be Oakridge (very convenient with sky train to both downtown and Richmond) Kits is nice but parking is terrible. UBC and Dunbar/Point Grey area very nice but a bit quite, slower pace.

Fairview Slopes are very handy for getting downtown and quick to get to Richmond. The bridges are terrible during rush hour especially if you are going with the main traffic vs counter. Main flow is suburb to city in the morning, city to suburb in evening rush hour.

Depending on how old you are, single, social life, outdoor activities, etc. I would recommend the younger areas if you want a bit more social interaction. Otherwise the family neighborhoods.

Happy to elaborate more if you are interested, would need some feedback of course.

I am a CBC as well so can relate in many ways to what your preferences might be.

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

My English may not be perfect, but aren't grottos naturally formed caved that has been carved by water?

Some time, over a glass of wine or other libation, I will fulfill my reputation as a modern day Scheherazade & tell you the story the people of the Semiahmoo First Nation tell of how the White Rock came to be there...Of course, I can also give you the scientific explanation (Glacial erratic, etc...) but it ain't near as sexy! ;D

 

[apl16]

Traffic sucks here. Live as close to your work as possible. On Surrey, there are some nice areas and crappy areas. It's a large city. It is prudent to rent for a while and check out many areas. Find the place that suits your needs and lifestyle.
Most people here live where they can afford it as opposed to where they want to live.

 

[summerbreeze]

most younger people starting off can afford a nice place in a not so nice area

or a, not so nice place in a nice area

not often you can start off with a nice place in a nice area, affordability wise

not so nice place might be a nice area but a hassle to commute to and from, or decent proximity or transit but rougher neighborhood

rougher neighborhood will have higher break in, more parked car damage, etc. etc.

more expensive neighborhood will have higher caliber neighbors, safer, etc

if you drive a nice car, less malicious damage or vandalism......

 

[lenny]

I have heard Vancouver the "no-fun city", the "never get a date city" and "wet and lame city"... Etc,

Past threads on PERB tend to agree ;

I will be taking classes for Chinese and work should be able to help too, but I did enjoy my short tour of China town - but I'll most likely visit and not live there I don't need that much excitement of the Downtown EastSide (I am assuming DTES, not something else?) I have heard things. I used to do MMA pretty avidly but, while I am not scared of those people, I do worry about parking and other issues, especially for my guests in the future.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Eastside

 

[JonnyBoi]

Well I plan to rent for now - but since I am not attached and have a half decent job, I'd say most of my income are disposable (or I can't afford this darn hobby); I don't enjoy drinking/smoking/partying and other usual business banal activities. I have heard good things about the snowboarding/surfing and beaches of the West Coast and am super excited to not see rain when I am there... Lol.

Least it's better than our stupid winter, argh GTA traffic ain't something to be proud of either.

As for my ride - meh - I don't need a flashy ride to impress anyone. Everything that I represent is already described on my business card, I ain't got nothing to prove to work or to the locals. But I'll most likely want a garage for my vehicle because street, overnight parking just feels like bad news to me.

The thing I am mostly excited for in Vancouver is... The food! Man you guys got some damn good selection. And the sushi, daaayyyuuummmm lol. It's not as good as Japan's but it's sure cheaper than a flight and more consistent than the East Coast.

 

[summerbreeze]

Vancouver's sushi is probably the best based on price anywhere

on the high end you have Tojo's which is as good as it gets (he flies in fish from Tokyo daily) but for the other locations, and there are plenty, the competition keeps the prices very reasonable