life in vancouver - summer 2016
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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
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