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

December 11 and 12, 2013Graduate Pathways to Success

The Lower Mainland

Cities surrounding Vancouver include:- Richmond, Delta (south)- Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge (east)- Surrey, Langley, White Rock (south-east)- West and North Vancouver (north, the “North Shore”)

Rent can be lower in these cities, but the commute to UBC will be much longer

(1 to 2 hours by transit)

Deciding where to live: Vancouver neighbourhoods

Main St. 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” both 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 homes and

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

East Vancouver neighbourhoodsEast Van neighbourhoods generally feature lower rents and a more diverse population.

Direct bus routes to UBC are available, but the commute will be longer than in western neighbourhoods (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, restaurantsPhoto 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

- Home to Vancouver’s 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 through the Graduate Studies

online forum (forum.grad.ubc.ca)

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

Online resources include: AMS Rentsline: http://www.amsrentsline.com/ - www.rentalhomes4students.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://www.translink.ca/en/Cycling/Cycling-Routes.aspx

http://www.cyclevancouver.ubc.ca/cv.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 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

Grocery Stores Around campus:

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

– Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Walmart, T & T, independent fruit stands

Organic and specialty items

- Whole Foods, Choices, Greens (these can be expensive) Fresh, local produce:

- Farmer’s markets, Granville Island Costco (requires a membership)

- bulk food

Grocery Stores

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/

Clothes Shopping

Brand-name clothing– Downtown: Robson and Granville– West 4th– Malls: Metrotown (Burnaby), Park Royal (North Van),

Richmond Centre (Richmond), Pacific Centre (downtown)

Boutiques– Main St. (new and vintage)– Commercial Drive– South Granville– West 4th

Local Attractions

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

Mountains: Grouse, Cypress, Seymour, Whistler

Parks: Pacific Spirit Park, Stanley Park and the seawallMuseums: Vancouver Art Gallery, Telus World of Science, Museum of Vancouver, Maritime Museum

Vancouver Aquarium (in Stanley Park)

Granville IslandLots 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

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 / TipsThe graduate student forum is a great place to ask questions.

http://forum.grad.ubc.ca/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=139

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 – first week of Januaryhttp://orientation.grad.ubc.ca/resources/

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/gps

www.grad.ubc.ca