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

July 11 and 13, 2016Graduate 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 (Kitsilano) tend to be more expensive than those to the east (Renfrew) and south (Marpole)

For more information on Vancouver neighbourhoods,check out: http://ubyssey.ca/blog/find-place-live-vancouver604/

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: the western part of Vancouver that is not downtown, e.g. Kitsilano, Point Grey, Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy

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

West Vancouver: municipality to the north-west of Vancouver proper on the North Shore; public transit to UBC significantly longer due to traffic and transferring

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

Image by UBC Housinghttp://vancouver.housing.ubc.ca/other-housing/off-campus-housing/

West Side neighbourhoods

Kitsilano (Kits), Point Grey, Dunbar-Southlands, Fairview, Kerrisdale Closest neighbourhoods to UBC

Rent can be higher here, but the commute is much shorter

Quick and easy access to campus and downtown by bus Access to beaches and parks

Many basement and garden 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 Direct bus routes to UBC Longer commute (~60 minutes)

Some neighbourhoods are: Grandview (incl. Commercial Drive)

- An active artsy and community-minded area with vibrant outdoor life(marches, festivals); home to many affordable restaurants and cafes (spoken word performances)

- Home to 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 UBCApproximate time to UBC using public transit is 40 minutes

West End- Vibrant LGBTQ2IA village- Close to parks and beaches- Densely populated

- Mainly apartments and condos Yaletown

- High rent apartments and condos- Trendy, expensive 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: http://community.grad.ubc.ca/

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

Online apartment-hunting resources include:

- Craigslist; RentHello; Padmapper- UV Rentsline

- ESL Rent (management company w/ Korean, Japanese, Chinese text, but renting many months in advance)

- Walkscore (assessing how close a potential apartment is

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

The turn around time for rental units is fast – prepare ahead of time and expect to send a lot of emails

Apartments and suites will be posted throughout the month

Housing: Additional Costs Utilities: Electricity (BC Hydro), Natural Gas (FortisBC), internet, cable,

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

Laundry: In-suite, in-building, or will you have to go to a laundromat? Coin-operated or free?

Damage or safety deposit: 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: Highly recommended (minimal monthly cost), otherwise you are liable for things like fire, theft, flood, etc.

Furniture: Used via Craigslist, Kijiji, garage sales, or new via Ikea, etc.

Housing: Protecting yourself

Know your rights as a tenant: http://tenants.bc.ca/

Get your rental agreement in writing

Document all existing damage with photographs on move-in; this will help with recouping your damage deposit when you move out

Vancouver Bedbug Registry http://bedbugregistry.com/metro/vancouver/

TaxiThere is 24-hour taxi service from the airport. Fare to UBC is ~$45 CAD.

Public transportationYou 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. It will cost $5 + regular fare to take the train from the airport.

Car sharesIf you join before arriving in Vancouver, Car2Go, Evo, and Zipcar all have vehicles accessible from the airport. Companies may have different policies on membership re: international/out-of-province drivers licences. These companies also have cars on campus.

Getting to UBC/Vancouver from the Airport

Public transit U-Pass / Compass Card included in your fees; good for all zones Translink for schedules, Transit 101, etc. Google Maps can plan transit trips Major express busses that travel East/West to/from UBC:

99 B-line – To/From Commercial Station along Broadway (9th ave)

84 – To/From VCC-Clark Station along 4th ave

44 – To/From Waterfront Station (downtown) along W 4th ave

43 – To/From Joyce-Collingwood Station along 41st ave

258 – To/From West Vancouver

480 – To/From Bridgeport Station (Richmond) Keep these busses in mind when looking for housing: E/W travel is generally

easier than N/S; if you’re not near one of the main E/W roads or a Skytrain station for transit, you’ll have to transfer. Use Trip Planner or Google Maps to assess potential commutes to UBC, downtown, peak vs. off-peak hours, etc.

Public transit continued 3 Skytrain lines:

Canada Line: downtown to Richmond + airport along Cambie StExpo Line: Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, East Van + DowntownMillennium Line Coquitlam, New West, Burnaby, East Van + Downtown

Sea Bus: Connects the North Shore to downtown Vancouver

Stand up / wave to flag the bus to stop at your bus stop; once on the bus, use red stop button / cord on windows to request next stop

Only exact change if paying cash on a bus (e.g. visitors)

This map will give you a sense of the main roads and areas serviced by transit: http://infomaps.translink.ca/System_Maps/123/V-Jun%202016.pdf

Cycling in Vancouver Bike lanes/routes (Google Maps can also plan bike trips)

Best Bike Trails in Vancouver and Beyond

City of Vancouver Bike Projects

UBC Cycling Tips

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

Grocery Stores Around campus: Save on Foods; Safeway on 10th Ave

Lower priced chain groceries around the city: Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Walmart

Local produce: farmers markets, Granville Island, fruit stands

Bulk food: Costco (requires a membership)

Many chains are starting to provide grocery delivery services; keep an eye out!

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

Specialty Grocery Stores Organic/vegan/gluten-free: Whole Foods, Choices, Greens Punjab Food Center Chinatown Many East and South Asian foods along Kingsway Parthenon and Minerva for Mediterranean Various Italian bakeries, grocers, delis on Commercial Drive Chinese groceries in Richmond (“Golden Village”) Korean H-Mart (downtown, Richmond, Coquitlam) T&T (downtown, Metrotown Mall) for various Asian foods Filipino groceries/bakeries along Joyce Street Caribbean Market in New Westminster 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 / rain jacket is a beautiful thing Reduce, reuse, recycle

Be eco-friendly Embrace other cultures, share your own

Vancouver is a multicultural city on the territory of First Nations including Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh

Be open!Celebrate what makes people unique

First Nations House of Learning at the First Nations Longhouse on campus: http://aboriginal.ubc.ca/longhouse/fnhl/

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, seawall

Vancouver Aquarium (in Stanley Park)

Granville Island

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

Free festivals in the summer: 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 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 – 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 + the Chung Collection

Other 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: 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 Success: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways

UBC’s off-campus housing guide: http://vancouver.housing.ubc.ca/other-housing/off-campus-housing/

Ubyssey (student paper)’s guide to student housing (useful stats and infographics): http://old.ubyssey.ca/features/ubc-housing-numbers-573/

www.grad.ubc.ca