1. Life in Vancouver:
Finding a home, settling in, getting around and
exploring the city
December 11 and 12, 2013
Graduate Pathways to Success
2. 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)
3. 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/604neighbourhoods/
Image from UBC Housing and Accommodations,
http://www.housing.ubc.ca/off-campus-housing/deciding-where-to-live
4. 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
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
…but “East Side,” “East End” and “East Van” both mean East Vancouver
5. 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,
“April in Vancouver” by iwona_kellie;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwona_kellie/8663677472/in/photostream/
new homes
6. East Vancouver neighbourhoods
East 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, restaurants
Photo by DennisSylvesterHurd
http://www.flickr.com/photos/den
nissylvesterhurd/2619116195/
7. 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
8. Deciding where to live: Vancouver
neighbourhoods
Image from UBC Housing and Accommodations,
http://www.housing.ubc.ca/off-campus-housing/deciding-where-to-live
9. 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
10. 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.
11. 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/
12. 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
13. 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-trailsvancouver_n_3386973.html
City of Vancouver Bike Projects http://vancouver.ca/streetstransportation/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
14. 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
15. Grocery Stores
Best areas to purchase Ethnic/World Food:
Punjabi Market on South Main (Sunset neighbourhood)
Chinatown: just east of downtown
Kingsway: Asian and South Asian foods
Greektown: West Broadway
Little Italy: Commercial Drive
Richmond (Golden Village): Chinese
H-Mart (downtown, Richmond, Coquitlam) is a Korean grocery
store
T&T (downtown, Metrotown Mall) Asian foods
See also: http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2010/09/18/bestethnic-grocery-stores-in-vancouver-chefs-choices/
16. 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
17. 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 seawall
Museums: Vancouver Art Gallery, Telus World of Science, Museum
of Vancouver, Maritime Museum
Vancouver Aquarium (in Stanley Park)
Granville Island
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
18. On Campus Attractions
Museum of Anthropology – world-renowned collection with a focus on First
Nations art and culture
Beaty Biodiversity Museum – Natural history museum
Rose Garden – beautiful view of the oceans and mountains; a great place to
eat your lunch when the weather is nice
Nitobe 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 free
Chan 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
19. Resources / Tips
The 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 January
http://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 Success
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/gps