Hello!

West Vancouver is a city by itself and there are no other cities in it. But I am sure that the location nearer to the ocean must be more expensive and also safer in terms of low crime rate etc.

For more info click this link that I am attaching here as under:

http://www.vancouver.hm/canfacts.html

I am sure you will find this very useful and highly informative.

Thanks,
Me2Canada

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Pray as if everything depended on GOD
Then work, as if everything depends on you!!!

I think West and North Vancouver cities are comparatively
expensive than other cities around vancouver. Isn't it?

I read somewhere that North Vancouver has hisghest cost
of homes in Canada.

I have just come to Burnaby; came here last thursday, and found an apartment in burnaby area. It looks nice, and am happy with the place. The public transport is excellent here as well.

Jug,

Thanks for yur last response. Could yu tell me how freiendly the ppl r in burnaby, the weather there, and about the indian population and jobs around there?

Thank U

hi. i'm also new to vancouver., been here 3 months now and can give you a overview of the place.
In general here the real estate is pretty expensive compared to other parts of Canada, the main reason is compressed land, one side Fraser river and other side Mountains, and rest Pacific ocean. I saw earlier posts talking about West Van and North Van. Unless you have loads of money, those places are not affordable. If you want to buy single family house 500k. 2 bed room apt would be 1800+. I agree those places are good, but millioniares live there.

The concept here is to stay close to work. That way you won't have to travel long distances. There express highways are 1 and 99. Both of them have bumper to bumper traffic and then there are some bridges & tunnels Port Mann, Massey tunnel etc, that also takes time. God forbid if there is any accident on the way, you would take another 30 min to reach office. In general 11 miles takes 30 min to travel. The best bet is to Car pool, as there are HOV lanes which you can use, if the car has > 1 person, that would reduce the 11 mile commute by 10 min (thats gr8).

In vancouver there are lots of petty thefts, due to drug problem here. trafficking goes on in downtown eastside and lot of homes here grow marijuana. RCMP (local police) try to control that, but are very liberal. e..g police also abandon car chase if they think there is threat to people. So criminals can get away easily. The petty crimes are car breakin, to steal anything that they can sell e.g. airbag, stereo, car itself. Also house breakin, to steal valuables etc, in you go to park in the evening or early morn, there is chance a group of teenagers may come with knife to steal.

However you have to be cautious as in any big city, take home in safe areas, have secured parking either underground, or covered. and just be careful of strangers.

If you work in Downtown, you can take apts there in high rise building >5 storeys. Rent would be 1400$ for 2 bed room

IF you work in Burnaby you can take apts there, there would be townhomes (1100+$, High rise >5 storeys 1000$+, or low rise 900$+

Other good residential areas are Tri citiies (Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam). Richmond (its below sea level). Langley (its valley).

and further away there are Abbotsworth, Pitt MEadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Chilliwack. These locations are far away and you can get SIngle Family homes here for 250000 - 400000 range. But the commute would be 1 and half hours.

Good part is there is very good local train (translink) and bus service. You can take apt nearby to the station and just take the train. ITs very convenient. $2.25 is one zone ticket valid for 1.5 hrs. afterr 6.30pm and during weekends, 2.25$ ticket you can use in all the 3 zones. THe same ticket can be used for bus, train and sea bus.

Apart from all that, Vancouver has breathtaking natural beauty. The north shore mountains are beautiful. With snow covered peaks of Seymour, Cypress and Grouse mountains and then the ocean, top ski locations Whistler and many parks, lakes etc. Punjabi market in Main st and 49 st and surrey. lots of indian restaurants and grocery stores, video shops.

I cannot believe your reply....

Thaks DesifrmUS ,

Wonderful post I must say it encapsulates all that one needs to learn abt Van initially . Though I was aware as West Van being expensive and Surrey and Burnaby as Indian / Asian liveable localities I was unaware of the petty crime prevalent .It appears that a multi storeyed apartment is a better bet than an individual house .

Manasvi.