Life in Vancouver:Finding a home, settling in, getting around and exploring the city

July 7 and 8, 2015Graduate Pathways to Success

Metro Vancouver

http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/PublishingImages/MetroVancouver-Municipalities-Population.jpg

UBC

Deciding where to live: Vancouver neighbourhoods

Main St. (red line) divides the city into east and west

Western neighbourhoods tend to be more affluent; neighbourhoods to the east are more economical

The Downtown Eastside (just east of downtown surrounding East Hastings St.) is not considered to be a desirable neighborhood due to crime, drug use, homelessness, etc.

For more information on Vancouver neighbourhoods, check out: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/tag/604-neighbourhoods/ Image from UBC Housing and Accommodations,

http://www.housing.ubc.ca/off-campus-housing/deciding-where-to-live

Neighbourhoods: Know your “Wests”

Pay attention to these names, as they refer to very different areas!

West Side: (ex. Kitsilano, Point Grey, Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy)- the western part of Vancouver that is not downtown

…but “East Side,” “East End” and “East Van” all mean East Vancouver

West End: the western, more residential section of the downtown area

West Vancouver: to the north-west of Vancouver on the North Shore; not a suburb of

Vancouver- transit to UBC will be longer and require transferring

West Side neighbourhoods

Kitsilano (Kits), Point Grey, Dunbar-Southlands, Fairview, Kerrisdale

Closest neighbourhoods to UBC

Rent can be higher here than neighbourhoods to the east...but the commute is much shorter

Quick and easy access to campus and downtown by bus

Safe

Access to beaches and parks

Many basement suites and small, low-rise

apartment buildings

Mix of well-cared for older + large, new

homes“April in Vancouver” by iwona_kellie; http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwona_kellie/8663677472/in/photostream/

East Vancouver neighbourhoods Lower rents and a more diverse

population. Direct bus routes to UBC Commute will be longer (approx. 60

minutes)

Some neighbourhoods are: Grandview (incl. Commercial Drive)

- A diverse, bohemian area; home to many affordable restaurants- Little Italy: Italian coffee shops, pizza, fresh cheese markets

Mount Pleasant

- Popular with young professionals, first-time home buyers & artists

- Main St. is popular for vintage clothing shopping, restaurants

Photo by DennisSylvesterHurdhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dennissylvesterhurd/2619116195/

Downtown neighbourhoods

Easy access to transit, including direct buses to UBC

Approximate time to UBC using public transit is 40 minutes

West End

- Vibrant LGBTQ village

- Close to parks and beaches

- Densely populated

- Mainly apartments and condos Yaletown

- High rent apartments and condos

- Trendy restaurants, bars, and boutiques

Deciding where to live: Vancouver neighbourhoods

Image from UBC Housing and Accommodations, http://www.housing.ubc.ca/off-campus-housing/deciding-where-to-live

Finding roommates and rental spaces Try connecting with other graduate students in your program

Current or graduating students in your program may know about available rooms / apartments

Online resources include: AMS Rentsline: http://www.amsrentsline.com/ - http://renthello.com; Craigslist; Padmapper; - www.eslrent.com (International students)

Be cautious and beware of scams: do not send money, banking or personal information

The turn around time for rental units is fast

Apartments and suites available to rent will be posted throughout the month

Housing: Additional Costs Utilities (BC Hydro, internet, cable, cell phones, land lines)

Some apartments or basement suites will include specific utilities in the rent, others will not

Laundry (Is it coin-operated or free? Will you have to go to a Laundromat?)

Damage or safety deposit: this should be no more than half a month's rent and will be refunded when you move out if you leave the apartment or suite clean and have not caused damage. Ask for a receipt when you pay this.

Renter’s insurance is highly recommended (minimal cost)

Furniture-used: Craigslist, Kijiji, garage sales-new: Ikea (2 locations), etc.

Housing: Protecting yourself

Know your rights as a tenant: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/

Get your rental agreement in writing

Document all existing damage with photographs: This could help you get your damage deposit back when you move out.

Vancouver Bedbug Registry

http://bedbugregistry.com/metro/vancouver/

Public transit

U-Pass is included in your student fees and is good for all zones. See: http://www.upass.ubc.ca/

Only exact change if paying cash on a bus (e.g. visitors) Translink: http://www.translink.ca/

See for schedules, maps, Trip Planner, Transit 101, etc.

- Google maps can also plan transit trips Major express bus lines: 99 B-line (express along Broadway), 44 (express

UBC to downtown on W 4th), 84, 480 Skytrain: Canada Line (downtown to Richmond and airport), Expo Line

(Surrey, New West, Burnaby, Vancouver), Millennium Line (Coquitlam, New West, Burnaby, Vancouver).

Sea Bus: Connects the North Shore to downtown Vancouver Stand up / wave to stop bus at bus stop Red stop button / cord on windows to request stop

Cycling in Vancouver Bike lanes/routes: http://

vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/cycling-routes-maps-and-trip-planner.aspx

Best Bike Trails in Vancouver and Beyond http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/08/best-bike-trails-vancouver_n_3386973.html

City of Vancouver Bike Projects http://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/separated-bicycle-lanes.aspx

AMS Bike Coop Get a good lock and always use it. A U-lock is best. Helmets are mandatory and lights are strongly recommended Do not ride on the sidewalk unless signs are posted allowing you to It’s easy to combine cycling and transit: buses have bike racks on the front

and the Canada Line has designated spaces for bikes

Taxi

If you want to take a taxi from the airport to UBC, there is 24-hour taxi service from the airport. The fare to UBC is around $45 Canadian dollars. Possibly worth the extra cost if you have a lot of luggage.

Public transportation

You can also take the Canada Line, a rapid-transit system that runs frequently from the airport to downtown Vancouver. There will be signs within the airport directing you to the Canada Line. From the Canada Line, you will need to get off at Broadway City Hall and take the “99 UBC B-Line” bus west to the UBC campus. UBC is the last stop on the 99.

Getting to UBC from the Airport

Grocery Stores Around campus:

– Save on Foods; Safeway on 10th Ave Lower priced groceries around the city:

– Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Walmart Organic and specialty items

- Whole Foods, Choices, Greens Fresh, local produce:

- Farmer’s markets, Granville Island,

fruit stands Costco (requires a membership)

- bulk food

granville island berries by jordan junck, https://www.flickr.com/photos/fairviewcondo/

Groceries

Best areas to purchase Ethnic/World Food:

Punjabi Market on South Main (Sunset neighbourhood)Chinatown: just east of downtownKingsway: Asian and South Asian foodsGreektown: West BroadwayLittle Italy: Commercial DriveRichmond (Golden Village): ChineseH-Mart (downtown, Richmond, Coquitlam) is a Korean grocery storeT&T (downtown, Metrotown Mall): Asian foods See also: http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2010/09/18/best-ethnic-grocery-stores-in-vancouver-chefs-choices/

Culture of Vancouver Get outdoors

Go for a hike, lounge on the beach, take a walk… Explore

So many things to see and do! Be prepared for the rain

A quality umbrella is a beautiful thing Reduce, reuse, recycle

Be eco-friendly Embrace other cultures

Vancouver is a multicultural city Be open!

Celebrate what makes people unique

Stanley Park Totem Poles by David Davies https://www.flickr.com/photos/davies/890775216/in/photostream/

Local Attractions

Beaches: Wreck Beach (clothing optional), Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach, Kits Beach, English Bay, 1 + 2 Beach

Mountains: Grouse, Cypress, Seymour, WhistlerParks: Pacific Spirit Park, Stanley Park and the seawall

Vancouver Aquarium (in Stanley Park)Granville Island

Museums: Vancouver Art Gallery, Telus World of Science, Museum of Vancouver, Maritime Museum

Lots of free festivals: Italian Days on Commercial Drive, Greek Day on W. Broadway, Khatsalano music festival in Kitsilano, Car Free Day on Main St and Commercial Drive…and more Vancouver Science World by Franco Ng,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/franco_ng/

On Campus AttractionsMuseum of Anthropology – world-renowned collection with a focus on First

Nations art and culture

Beaty Biodiversity Museum – Natural history museumRose Garden – beautiful view of the oceans and mountains; a great place to

eat your lunch when the weather is niceNitobe Japanese Memorial Garden – authentic Japanese garden and Tea

house

Botanical Garden

Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery – contemporary art

School of Music – check their website for events; some are freeChan Centre for the Performing Arts – music and theatrical performances;

students under 25 can get discounted tickets

UBC Library: Rare Books and Special Collections and the Chung Collection

Resources / Tips

Rent varies across the city, but our cost calculator can give you a rough idea about how much living and studying in Vancouver will cost: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/tuition-fees-cost-living/cost-living

Orientation events for Graduate Students: http://orientation.grad.ubc.ca

Other ideas for places to go and things to do: http://www.tourismvancouver.com/

Take a free workshop from Graduate Pathways to Successhttps://www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways

www.grad.ubc.ca