With the proximity of the US border, the ocean, and the North Shore Mountains, it isn’t odd that this place is ranked as one of the best cities in North America. Living in Vancouver means that you’ll never have a dull moment since it has a lot to offer, from great beaches to endless activities that you and your family can enjoy together. Let us show you some of the city’s perks.
Living in Vancouver Canada – a Place for Everyone
Living in Vancouver BC will be an adventure of a lifetime. With a large population, cultural diversity is well established. You can meet people from all over the globe, have fantastic sushi, try local food, and find out about other people’s cultures and customs. Canada is one of the friendliest countries in the world, so if you really want to, you can have a lot of new friends in no time. With a lot of foreigners who come to stay here, expat communities will make you feel welcome and help you adjust to the new environment.
Moving to Vancity from the US – the Best Place for American Expats
Vancity has one of the largest American expat communities in the world, so what makes it so popular? For starters, it’s not like you’ll be moving across the world, and it’s easier to live abroad when you don’t have to bother with learning a new language and breaking the language barrier. English is the official language here, and the chances are high that you’ll hear Chinese or Spanish more often than French. So make sure you have all the documents needed to travel abroad and come check out why this place is so popular among expats.
Is It Expensive to Live in Vancouver?
It is fair to say that this place is one of the most expensive cities in Canada. With a lot of categories to take into consideration, we advise you to plan your budget wisely and start job hunting as soon as possible.
How Much You’ll Spend on Housing
The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city can be from $1430 to $2260 per month, and if you are interested in buying, a one-bedroom apartment will cost you around $452k. Those looking to buy a property should keep in mind that the median house cost goes from $1.2M. If you want to save some money in this area, you can always choose to go a few miles outside of downtown.
How Expensive are Basic Utilities
For gas, heating, and electricity for a two-bedroom apartment, you will need to pay from $90 to $112 per month. For the internet, add $45 per month. Homeowners have to think about water and garbage pick up, which is around $52 per month.
How Much Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Vancouver?
If you want to find out more about costs and how it’s to live in this city, watch the video below.
What Are the Best Neighborhoods?
This is one of the best places to live abroad with family, so when moving to Vancouver, you’ll have plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from. On the other hand, there are a lot of trendy hip areas that are suitable for millennials, young professionals, and singles. When moving abroad determine your budget and go house hunting around Vancouver neighborhoods.
Find Your Community
Are you moving with dogs and looking for parks and beaches, or you are a student looking to have some fun? Let us show you some of the best communities:
- Downtown – Located on the Peninsula, the biggest shopping district,
- Gastown – This part of town has an old-world charm,
- Granville Island – A place for the whole family,
- Kitsilano – Amazing beaches and interesting festivals,
- Dunbar Southlands – Great places for students.
Do You Need a Car to Get Around?
Are you thinking about shipping your vehicle overseas? That might be a good idea but be prepared for some traffic jams. The need for a personal car mainly depends on your location, but even if you do not have it, SkyTrain will take you wherever you need to be. Also, since January 2020, Uber and Lyft are finally available in Vancity, and that can certainly ease your transportation around town. Downtown is very walkable, so you can go anywhere on foot or even ride a bike since this is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.
Take a Day off and Go on a Road Trip
If you have a car by your side, why not turn it into your advantage and go on a little road trip? Here are some of our suggestions for places to visit in the vicinity:
- Whistler Ski Resort
- Victoria, the capital of the province
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- Harrison Hot Springs
- Bridal Falls
Opening a Bank Account and Getting a Credit Card Is Not Complicated for Expats
The process is really straightforward, and banks do not require much from expats or try to complicate their life by asking for a bunch of papers. In the majority of cases, all you’ll need is an ID or work permit. But some banks require a driver’s license or proof of Canadian citizenship, so keep that in mind. Another convenience that many banks offer is the possibility to open a bank account while you’re still outside of Canada, in your home country.
Is It Safe to Live in Vancouver British Columbia and Other Information You Should Know
Think about your future life in Vancity as a new beginning for you. An opportunity to start fresh and experience living overseas. Since moving overseas is a huge step for everyone, whether they are moving to another country for love or alone, there are some essential things to keep in mind:
- Safety – As a city with 2.5M people, it certainly has some crime. But in general, it is a safe place where everybody is friendly and wants to help.
- Weather – It rains a lot here because of the proximity of the rainforests, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Also, winters are not so cold in comparison to other Canadian cities, and summers are sunny and dry.
- Marijuana is legal here, so don’t be surprised if you come across shops that sell it.
- This place has fantastic air and water quality. You do not need to buy bottled water, as tap water is fresh, cold, and clean.
- This place is home to the biggest Canadian port, so that is a plus for all you need to order or ship to and from another country.
- Jobs in Canada are very competitive, but it is possible to find a job and be well paid, so be persistent and never give up.
Hire an International Moving Company and Start Your Life in Vancouver in the Right Way
Hiring a reliable international moving company for moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, will certainly reduce your moving stress levels to the minimum. You can just relax and plan what you are going to explore in your new town. Choose among many international moving services when, such as getting boxes and packing supplies or packing services for your belongings, storage for all of your items until it is time to move, or even custom crating. Schedule your free moving estimate today, and start preparing for moving internationally.
