Dropping everything and moving to Vancouver! (buying a house, buying, earthquake)
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honestly at the age of 18, there is no need to worry about this and that (that includes jobs, money, housing price all that kind of stuff only people with children should worry about).
If your heart wants Vancouver, go there by all means. I don't see anything that stops you. You have one life, why not make it exciting, even mess it up a little? Nothing is more boring than a completely planned and structured life - college, white collar job, date and marry, kids and a house in the suburb with a Toyota. The next thing you know you are chained to you nagging wife and suburban life and a house with a mortgage you can't pay off until you are 55, which means you can't live without your boring job for even a month.
You are an adult, go wherever you want. You won't starve or suffer as long as you are hardworking. In fact why restrict yourself to Vancouver/Canada, which is practically exactly the same as the US? Go somewhere even more exciting if you are adventurous enough.
A stable government job? Leave it to those boring people who want their life to be exactly the same pushing meaningless paper every single day of their adult life. (I actually have one, LOL).
There's been a huge amount of negatives posted here, but my research seems to show a lot of it as utter crap. This is a bit of a story, so I hope you'll bear with me. My wife and I are moving in January, so we've done a lot of research. Our original trip 3 years ago was 2 weeks in Vancouver, a drive to Calgary (*amazing drive!*) and then 2 weeks in Calgary and a little visit to Edmonton and the mountains and then back. We decided on moving to Calgary due to better job prospects, less drama in the education system (my wife is a teacher) and lower housing prices. We did this from late November to the first week of January by the way - everyone always says how damn cold Canada is so we wanted to do it in winter to see what it was like. Vancouver is an incredible city as a tourist, great views, great people, everything you could want in the way of retail, transit, architecture, etc. Everybody should be a tourist in the city they live in as well I believe, if you wouldn't like it as a tourist you're really not going to like it as somewhere to live. We went back to Calgary this year in January/feb and didnt do anything touristy other than a bit of skiing. A few months ago, I got offered a job in vancouver that is too much fun (pay isnt great) to turn down, finally a job that i'll enjoy!
Now, we're coming from Australia - its 40 (115f?) summers here, doesnt go below 30c for several months of the year, the sun is some of the highest wattage per square meter in the world, same goes for the UV index. We are not fans of summer, heat, beaches or the aussie lifestyle. This might give some clarity to my thoughts on the weather and lifestyle. We also have 20-40km per direction commutes that take 40mins and are considered short here.
Thinks we didnt like:
* The peak hour traffic on bridges. The three times we entered vancouver, we came in during peak hour. The traffic jam is a longer version of what we get here, other than those times however we had no hassles at all getting around.
* Fuel prices were almost what we pay here, considerably more than Alberta ($1.50 vs $1 for a litre)
* Whistler really sucked compared to Banff/Sunshine/Lake Louise (warm, wet, snow was crap, expensive) -- not at all living up to it's world class reputation.
What we did like:
* Pretty much anything you need retail exists 30-70% cheaper than Australia and you don't need to mail order it, because it actually exists in the city. The diversity of everything is fantastic. That being said, you're looking at 10-15% more than the USA on most items... that being said, the USA is only an hour or so drive away.
* The weather, it doesnt melt your shoes when you walk on the road. I love clouds, snow is a novelty, rain is to a degree as well. I love it when it rains here. We've had 70 days of measurable rainfall here, but only about 15 or so of these would be considered "rainy". The idea of a city with lots of rain, moss on everything in nature, fantastic.
* The lack of dust. Everything here is covered in dust, you clean the house and the next day its like you didnt. The rain stops that.
* so many other things related to weather.
* Mountains are close by. We travel to the other side of the world to go skiing, in vancouver its just a 40 min drive. We love camping and hiking and photography - lots of this around Vancouver and BC!
* Service in restaurants is amazing, mindblowingly good. They bend over backwards to accomodate you and are happy to do it! Canadians do service awesomely. This goes for retail too - it weirded us out going into stores and having staff saying hello and actually wanting to help us out - rather than having to chase them down. Retail workers here are hide and seek specialists.
* Lots of local holiday opportunities - over here its all the same thing, and its all expensive. The idea of being able to drop over to Vancouver island for a weekend, or go into the mountains, or so many different places of great variety for very little expense. We don't go on holidays here, we don't go away for weekends unless its a camping trip (and that's all the same thing no matter where you go). There is so much to explore, so many different types of terrain and experiences.
* Cars are courteous to pedestrians. Pedestrians cross on the walk signal without bothering to look. The elderly can take their time and cross the roads without fear. Here, pedestrians have right of way but you *will* get run down if you don't look and wait. Even at a designated crossing.
* It's cool temperatures, everything is set up for it, here it's stupidly hot but you're expected to just tough through it. Its really not that cold though! We were fine in Calgary at -28c, because everything is setup for winter.
* Its very vibrant, lots of things seem to be happening all the time, people are out and about in the city at night (its a ghost town here at night). We're non drinkers, introverts, but its nice to be somewhere that isnt dead.
As far as your accommodation costs go, when I've been looking you can get a suite (someone's basement converted for a single renter) or a room in a shared house for $300-500 a month around the port moody area (close to the university there). A single bedroom apartment or studio apartment out of the city (i havent looked in the city) for $1k/month or $1.5k for a 2 bedroom apartment/condo/townhouse. To me, this does not seem overpriced. You're not buying a house so what do you care what the prices are... just how much a place for you costs to live.
As for meeting people, making friends and such - you said you're an introvert so i'm guessing the pub/club scene appears to you as much as it did to me and my wife at your age (about as much as it does now - very little). Given that you're looking at interior design I'm going to go out on a limb and say you like designing things, making things, being creative. Give Vancouver Hack Space - 270 1st Ave E, Vancouver BC V5T 1A6 a shot. Its a community of makers, creators, creative and engineering people - hacker spaces are great places for geeky people to hang out. Lots of fun tools and machines to use there too, and places to work on projects as well as lots of people to distract you.. wait, i mean help you with your projects if you get stuck.
Vancouver is more expensive than other provinces and the USA on many things, but it is by no means unlivable. The weather is "cold" compared to where a lot of people want to live - but if you like to cuddle up and get cozy or just not sweat all day and all night then cold is perfect! Its not cold indoors! The weather in summer is wonderful if you want to go outdoors and do things.
As they say, different strokes for different folks. Some people love coming to Australia and its heat and sun and beaches.. but thats not me, it might not be you either. Everybody is different, and different things are going to suit different people. I think that vancouver is a great place for geeky, creative, introverted people to live!
There's been a huge amount of negatives posted here, but my research seems to show a lot of it as utter crap. This is a bit of a story, so I hope you'll bear with me. My wife and I are moving in January, so we've done a lot of research. Our original trip 3 years ago was 2 weeks in Vancouver, a drive to Calgary (*amazing drive!*) and then 2 weeks in Calgary and a little visit to Edmonton and the mountains and then back. We decided on moving to Calgary due to better job prospects, less drama in the education system (my wife is a teacher) and lower housing prices. We did this from late November to the first week of January by the way - everyone always says how damn cold Canada is so we wanted to do it in winter to see what it was like. Vancouver is an incredible city as a tourist, great views, great people, everything you could want in the way of retail, transit, architecture, etc. Everybody should be a tourist in the city they live in as well I believe, if you wouldn't like it as a tourist you're really not going to like it as somewhere to live. We went back to Calgary this year in January/feb and didnt do anything touristy other than a bit of skiing. A few months ago, I got offered a job in vancouver that is too much fun (pay isnt great) to turn down, finally a job that i'll enjoy!
Now, we're coming from Australia - its 40 (115f?) summers here, doesnt go below 30c for several months of the year, the sun is some of the highest wattage per square meter in the world, same goes for the UV index. We are not fans of summer, heat, beaches or the aussie lifestyle. This might give some clarity to my thoughts on the weather and lifestyle. We also have 20-40km per direction commutes that take 40mins and are considered short here.
Thinks we didnt like:
* The peak hour traffic on bridges. The three times we entered vancouver, we came in during peak hour. The traffic jam is a longer version of what we get here, other than those times however we had no hassles at all getting around.
* Fuel prices were almost what we pay here, considerably more than Alberta ($1.50 vs $1 for a litre)
* Whistler really sucked compared to Banff/Sunshine/Lake Louise (warm, wet, snow was crap, expensive) -- not at all living up to it's world class reputation.
What we did like:
* Pretty much anything you need retail exists 30-70% cheaper than Australia and you don't need to mail order it, because it actually exists in the city. The diversity of everything is fantastic. That being said, you're looking at 10-15% more than the USA on most items... that being said, the USA is only an hour or so drive away.
* The weather, it doesnt melt your shoes when you walk on the road. I love clouds, snow is a novelty, rain is to a degree as well. I love it when it rains here. We've had 70 days of measurable rainfall here, but only about 15 or so of these would be considered "rainy". The idea of a city with lots of rain, moss on everything in nature, fantastic.
* The lack of dust. Everything here is covered in dust, you clean the house and the next day its like you didnt. The rain stops that.
* so many other things related to weather.
* Mountains are close by. We travel to the other side of the world to go skiing, in vancouver its just a 40 min drive. We love camping and hiking and photography - lots of this around Vancouver and BC!
* Service in restaurants is amazing, mindblowingly good. They bend over backwards to accomodate you and are happy to do it! Canadians do service awesomely. This goes for retail too - it weirded us out going into stores and having staff saying hello and actually wanting to help us out - rather than having to chase them down. Retail workers here are hide and seek specialists.
* Lots of local holiday opportunities - over here its all the same thing, and its all expensive. The idea of being able to drop over to Vancouver island for a weekend, or go into the mountains, or so many different places of great variety for very little expense. We don't go on holidays here, we don't go away for weekends unless its a camping trip (and that's all the same thing no matter where you go). There is so much to explore, so many different types of terrain and experiences.
* Cars are courteous to pedestrians. Pedestrians cross on the walk signal without bothering to look. The elderly can take their time and cross the roads without fear. Here, pedestrians have right of way but you *will* get run down if you don't look and wait. Even at a designated crossing.
* It's cool temperatures, everything is set up for it, here it's stupidly hot but you're expected to just tough through it. Its really not that cold though! We were fine in Calgary at -28c, because everything is setup for winter.
* Its very vibrant, lots of things seem to be happening all the time, people are out and about in the city at night (its a ghost town here at night). We're non drinkers, introverts, but its nice to be somewhere that isnt dead.
As far as your accommodation costs go, when I've been looking you can get a suite (someone's basement converted for a single renter) or a room in a shared house for $300-500 a month around the port moody area (close to the university there). A single bedroom apartment or studio apartment out of the city (i havent looked in the city) for $1k/month or $1.5k for a 2 bedroom apartment/condo/townhouse. To me, this does not seem overpriced. You're not buying a house so what do you care what the prices are... just how much a place for you costs to live.
As for meeting people, making friends and such - you said you're an introvert so i'm guessing the pub/club scene appears to you as much as it did to me and my wife at your age (about as much as it does now - very little). Given that you're looking at interior design I'm going to go out on a limb and say you like designing things, making things, being creative. Give Vancouver Hack Space - 270 1st Ave E, Vancouver BC V5T 1A6 a shot. Its a community of makers, creators, creative and engineering people - hacker spaces are great places for geeky people to hang out. Lots of fun tools and machines to use there too, and places to work on projects as well as lots of people to distract you.. wait, i mean help you with your projects if you get stuck.
Vancouver is more expensive than other provinces and the USA on many things, but it is by no means unlivable. The weather is "cold" compared to where a lot of people want to live - but if you like to cuddle up and get cozy or just not sweat all day and all night then cold is perfect! Its not cold indoors! The weather in summer is wonderful if you want to go outdoors and do things.
As they say, different strokes for different folks. Some people love coming to Australia and its heat and sun and beaches.. but thats not me, it might not be you either. Everybody is different, and different things are going to suit different people. I think that vancouver is a great place for geeky, creative, introverted people to live!
Funny that you're from Australia. My mom lived there for a few years when she was my age. She lived in Melbourne but she didn't like it and returned home. Keep in mind that this was the mid 80's, so I'm sure the city and culture have changed by now...(?)
I agree with you on weather. I love dark, misty mornings and the freshness of rainfall. It will be a big change for me coming from DC (hot, humid summers & cold winters) let alone you coming from Australia where it feels like the Sun is right on top of you! I am very glad to meet a fellow introvert. You're right; bars and clubs are not my scene.
Good for you Joan - Moving to and living in different places is good for the "soul". Especially since you are planning on studying and working in a creative / design-related profession. Later on, even if you are living elsewhere, you may find your time in Vancouver inspires a colour palette or triggers an approach to solving a design challenge for a client.
Best of luck!
I agree! .. and with the others supporting your desire to try Vancouver.
Sounds like you have your heart set on this move and I say go for it too, if you can.
I won't dispute the fact that Vancouver has gotten very expensive, but there's a whole city's worth of people living here and loving it, that aren't what you'd call wealthy. If you wish to live here, you will find a way.
Agree with an earlier post, if you're not interested in buying real estate, there are affordable rentals, or when you're young, options to sharing accommodations, etc. Good sources are posted around the universities, cafe's etc.
With the reasonably mild winters and gorgeous scenery, it's easy to enjoy lots of outdoor activities without spending tons of money. Walking/biking the beaches and seawalls, hiking, mountains, parks, etc.
It does rain, you will need an umbrella! .. and grey and dreary most of the winter, but still doable to get outdoors and do things. Spring, summer and fall here are great, for the most part. We say when the sun shines for a day, we forget about all the rain we might just have had!
I love it here, and live on the north shore where the mountains meet the ocean. The city has changed granted since I was your age, but enjoyed at the time all sorts of different sharing of accommodation scenarios to help make things more affordable at the time. Also helps open you up to a whole new network of people to meet, as will your schooling.
Over the years have seen many comments about how cold Canadians are, especially us evil Vancouverites. To that I say, get out there, look someone in the eye and say hi! That's all it takes to get a conversation going. It's a big impersonal city, you must make a move if you wish to engage, if your smile hasn't done it for you already.
Don't be put off by the one or two haters of Vancouver on here, 'same person - different nic(s)' has been spouting the same doom and gloom about the place for years now. Still can't figure out why he or she is still here? .. or living somewhere else? .. but feels the need to drop from time to time, to inform us of all our downfalls, city and people wise.
I say if it's your dream, and school of your choice and have the funds to live on, go for it! You're young and now's the time to live your adventures. Good luck!
If you like the northwest lifestyle I can tell you for my personal experience that Seattle is very similar to Vancouver but with vastly greater job opportunities and an actual lower cost of living (lived in Vancouver, moved to Seattle)
But I do not know about interior design schools here.
Honestly Saturno is right.
Pretty much everything you can experience in Vancouver, you can experience in Seattle. Plus you are American right? You will have better job oppurtunities in Seatle over Vancouver. Another thing you have to think about is cost of living, and the cost of the school you are attending.
What exactly are the job oppurtunities (with interior design), in the Vancouver area?
My guess not much. I'm not trying to knock your degree. I know some people who work for hotels who do very well with that type of degree. But honestly your employment prospects will be severely lacking in a place like Vancouver.
Honestly I am not going to sugar coat anything. Moving to Vancouver for a person in your shoes is a bad choice. I doubt you will have as many job oppurtunities.
With that being said. Yes Vancouver is a beautiful city, and yes it has some great attributes (the mountains are a bit closer). But honestly IMO you can experience all of those things in Seattle.
P.S. if you have a lot of money, and your job allows you to work from home (I.E. Tech Industry), than maybe it would be a great city. Otherwise you might be setting yourself back financially long term. Just something to think about.
Pretty much everything you can experience in Vancouver, you can experience in Seattle. Plus you are American right? You will have better job oppurtunities in Seatle over Vancouver. Another thing you have to think about is cost of living, and the cost of the school you are attending.
What exactly are the job oppurtunities (with interior design), in the Vancouver area?
My guess not much. I'm not trying to knock your degree. I know some people who work for hotels who do very well with that type of degree. But honestly your employment prospects will be severely lacking in a place like Vancouver.
Honestly I am not going to sugar coat anything. Moving to Vancouver for a person in your shoes is a bad choice. I doubt you will have as many job oppurtunities.
With that being said. Yes Vancouver is a beautiful city, and yes it has some great attributes (the mountains are a bit closer). But honestly IMO you can experience all of those things in Seattle.
P.S. if you have a lot of money, and your job allows you to work from home (I.E. Tech Industry), than maybe it would be a great city. Otherwise you might be setting yourself back financially long term. Just something to think about.
Dude, did you even read the previous posts? The OP simply wants to take some time off and maybe a gap year before pursuing other studies. No, she clearly stated that she's not going to settle in Vancouver forever. No, she's not planning to purchase real estate. It really doesn't hurt to experiment a little and make some mistakes at this age.
Dude, did you even read the previous posts? The OP simply wants to take some time off and maybe a gap year before pursuing other studies. No, she clearly stated that she's not going to settle in Vancouver forever. No, she's not planning to purchase real estate. It really doesn't hurt to experiment a little and make some mistakes at this age.
yep, that's why I suggested somewhere farther, like Europe or Asia.
Canada is almost identical to America. One experiences little new by moving to Vancouver.
yep, that's why I suggested somewhere farther, like Europe or Asia.
Canada is almost identical to America. One experiences little new by moving to Vancouver.
DING DING!!
Might as well move somewhere truly "foreign" (if all you want is a temporary change of culture).
Just saying.
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You're right; bars and clubs are not my scene.
