Moving to Vancouver

CONSIDERING A MOVE TO GREATER VANCOUVER, BC?

Congratulations!   Whether you are planning on moving to Vancouver BC for lifestyle or relocating to Vancouver BC for work purposes, you are in for a treat.   Here is the COMPLETE GUIDE to moving to Vancouver, BC (British Columbia)!

Vancouver BC is consistently ranked in the top 5 “most livable cities in the World”.   For many years, it was ranked #1, but in recent years has dropped a little in the rankings, primarily because of traffic congestion (a lot of people are relocating to Vancouver BC!) and the cost of living.  Yes, life in Vancouver is EXPENSIVE with a Capital E … but many find that the rewards are worth it!   Here is an excellent summary of why people move to Vancouver BC.

We created this comprehensive guide to help you with your move to this beautiful city.  Preparation is the key;  let us help get you oriented so you land on your feet!

1.  First Steps:  establish yourself as a resident after relocating to Vancouver, BC.
   (a) Apply for Medical Coverage through the Medical Services Plan (MSP), provided by the government of BC .
   The online application will take you about 15 minutes to complete.   There is normally a 3 month waiting period before coverage begins, but this is waived in some circumstances. Check the website to see if you qualify.
   (b)  Apply for a driver’s license through the Insurance Corporation of BC. Your driver’s license will also double your portal to accessing medical health services using a Personal Health Number on the back of the card.
   (c)  If you don’t drive, obtain a BC Services Card instead .   A driver’s license or BC Services card will generally be required to access any government run services in BC (and many private ones as well).
2. Change all your officially listed addresses to your new address in BC.
   I recommend using an online platform called MovingWaldo. MovingWaldo is Canada’s favourite app for address changes. It is completely free and it allows users to notify over 700 public and private organizations about their new address simultaneously. Before moving forward with this, create a checklist of the addresses that need to be changed.
3. Decide where you want to live after your move to Vancouver BC!
   Greater Vancouver neighbourhoods are many and varied – that’s a big part of the charm of living here!   We have put together a comprehensive pictorial and video tour of the Communities.   On each community page, you will see photos, recreation opportunities, and also the types of homes that can be found there & the market statistics. Which brings you to your next step:   find an empathetic Realtor who can assist you in finding a great place to live!   We have helped many people relocate to Vancouver BC from all over the world.   Give us a call – you’ll be pleasantly surprised! Would you like to understand how to go about purchasing a home?  Start here on our Buying a Home  page.  There are many resources available on this website to show you the homes available and all the related information: Mortgage Calculator,  Affordability Calculator,  Property Transfer Tax Calculator,  other details in regards to home ownership in our Real Estate 101 Blogs,  Professionals who can help with the transaction, and  Useful Links for related organizations.   But better yet, give us a call and we’ll walk you through the process!
4. Want to Rent rather than Buy after relocating to Vancouver BC?
   Looking to rent a home?  Unlike in other parts of Canada, Realtors have only been permitted to assist in rentals since 2018.  As a result, relatively few rentals are listed through Realtors, with most rentals being found through either Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
   Rental housing is governed in BC by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA).   The RTA enshrines many powerful rights for the renter.  For example, evicting a renter is quite difficult, and the renter has many remedies.   Typically, landlords will sign leases for 6 months to a year, after which the rental changes to a month to month tenancy.  The RTA specifically prohibits landlords specifying an end-date for the tenancy (a “fixed term tenancy”).Renters will be required to make a security deposit, which the RTA specifies may be a maximum of 1/2 of the monthly rental.  The landlord is required to do a walk through where the condition of the unit prior to rental is established, and a walk through at the end of the tenancy.  Only reasonable charges for damages are permitted by the RTA.

4. What is the cost of living in Vancouver, BC?
   Unfortunately, in moving to Vancouver BC, you are moving to one of the most expensive cities in Canada.   Indeed, Vancouver is one of the most expensive places in the world relative to the local wages.   WorkBC, a branch of the government, has put together a cost of living calculator to help you determine your financial needs.
5. How do I enrol my children in school in BC?
   British Columbia’s schools are among the finest in the world, and many international immigrants either send their children here to study while they work in their home countries, or relocate to Vancouver BC specifically for the schools.  For those looking for the best of the best, the Fraser Institute ranks schools throughout the province based upon a variety of criteria.Private schools typically dominate the first few places, but there are truly outstanding public elementary (Grades 1-7) and secondary (Grades 8-12) schools as well.  Many parents choose their neighbourhoods based on the school rankings!   For more information about schooling in British Columbia, visit the Education and Training sections of the Government of BC website.Metro Vancouver’s universities and post-secondary institutions are known worldwide. The University of British Columbia is one of the top ranked schools in the world!  There is also extensive support for international students and for those wishing to learn English as a second language.
6. What is public transit like in Vancouver BC?
   Metro Vancouver has a fantastic public transit system and there are numerous options for public transportation. These include buses, community shuttles, SkyTrain (a fully-automated rapid-transit system with various lines), SeaBus (a passenger-only ferry service connecting the cities of Vancouver and North Vancouver), and the West Coast Express (a commuter rail service servicing the communities east of Vancouver). Uber and Lyft now operate in Vancouver.  There are also many car-sharing options, including Zerocar (a Tesla-only car share), Evo, Modo and others.  Bicycle sharing has come to Vancouver as well, and electric scooters are expected shortly!
7. Where do I get gas and electricity in Vancouver BC?
   Electricity in British Columbia is provided by a publicly-owned company, BC Hydro. All residential customers are charged a certain rate per kilowatt-hour of electricity up to a certain level of consumption, and then a higher rate is applied.  The intent is to encourage conservation.The delivery of natural gas in British Columbia was deregulated in 2002. You may choose your own natural gas retailer, with the largest being Fortis BC. Other reputable residential natural gas providers in the province are Access Gas Services, Direct Energy, Just Energy, Planet Energy, and Summit Energy.
8. How do I get internet and a cell phone plan in Vancouver BC?
   There are dozens of internet service providers you can approach regarding your internet needs in Metro Vancouver. Two of the most popular internet service providers in the province are TELUS and Shaw.You also have no shortage of options for cell phone carriers in the city. The two largest are Telus and Rogers, but there are numerous smaller providers who can offer more economical service (such as Fido – which is a discount service owned by Rogers).  In general, you will find cell services in BC to be disappointingly expensive and very restrictive compared to most other parts of the world.
9. What options do I have for food, alcohol, and, other amenities in Vancouver BC?
   Food – BC is a foodie heaven, with an enormous range of locally-sourced food options, ranging from fresh or farmed salmon, oysters, shrimp and other shellfish to an impressive and delicious range of locally grown fruit!   Restaurant choices are almost unlimited, with practically any kind of ethnic food readily available.   Farmer’s markets are common, and very popular, providing direct-from-the-farm produce to the home.
   Alcohol – Spirits are sold exclusively in Liquor Stores operated by the BC Government.   Sales of beer and wine are also permitted in specialty stores. Recently, cities in BC are experimenting with permitting the consumption of alcohol in limited public areas, including beaches and parks.   However, options for the purchase and consumption of alcohol are very limited compared to the permittivity of Western Europe.

Check our other blogs under Real Estate 101 – that might give you answers about buying or selling a home.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.