SilverBeam Homes Blog

Is Moving To Vancouver Worth It?

by Bevony on 23 November 2022 Comments Off on Is Moving To Vancouver Worth It?

Vancouver is a multicultural city with many different nationalities calling it home. You can even find entire neighborhoods that are primarily one ethnicity. The local government loves diversity and offers a number of community spaces and cultural programs to embrace the diversity and help people feel more at home. 

In addition to diversity, Vancouver has a booming economy that makes it a very vibrant place to live and work. It offers a natural landscape, providing outdoor activities for those who love the outdoors. There is extensive shopping and so much to do in your leisure time. 

No matter who you are, what stage of life you are in, or what you are looking for, chances are you can find it in Vancouver. Nonetheless, Vancouver is a very welcoming place to relocate to. 

Relocating to Vancouver

The process of relocating has its pros and cons, but it is never a pleasant process. After all, you are taking up your whole life and moving it across town, across cities, and even across countries and continents, depending on where you are coming from. 

Before you decide to move here, there are a couple things you should know. Here we’ve put together a pros and cons list to help you make your decision. 

What You Should Know Before Your Move to Vancouver

Vancouver is constantly ranked as one of the top 10 cities to live in. Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada, and it boasts a very high quality of life, but like anywhere else, it does have its downsides.

The Pros  

  • Diversity 

Here you will find a mix of English, English-Canadians, Aboriginal people, Scottish, Irish, Indians, Koreans, Chinese, Filipino, Hispanic, Iranians and much more. 

  • Lots of Nature To Enjoy 

Vancouver offers everything from beaches to mountain ranges. In the middle of the city you will find Stanley Park, which is a beautiful green space. You will find the best sunsets here in the whole of Vancouver. 

  • Booming Economy 

There are many job opportunities available in education, healthcare, technology and finance. As such, finding a job here is not such a hard task. 

  • Healthcare 

Each person that has a permanent residency permit has full access to public healthcare that covers almost everything. This is because public healthcare in Vancouver is subsidized by taxpayer money. 

  • Education 

Public education in Vancouver is free and maintains a high rank on an international level. You will find different schools offering different emphasis, with some even catering to multicultural backgrounds. 

The Cons 

  • Expensive 

The city of Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities across the world as it relates to real estate. When relocating here, you must consider the cost of housing. Half of your income may be going towards rent, or for more affordable housing options. You may have to endure long commute times to and from work by choosing to live on the outskirts of town. 

  • Earthquakes 

Vancouver is a high risk area for earthquakes, as it sits on two Northern plates. The city frequently experiences small earthquakes. 

  • Low Wages 

Salaries are low here for persons who are not skilled workers. Since living in the city is expensive, if you are earning an average salary, it can be hard to live here. 

  • Homelessness, Drug Use and Crime

You will see once here that Vancouver has a big problem with homeless people. There is also rampant drug use in some areas, like downtown Eastside and East Hastings. The crime rate in areas with high drug use tends to be high, with violence against women common. 

Advice for Moving to Vancouver 

The city has been hit by a housing crisis, and so finding a home can be the hardest part of moving to Vancouver. You can avoid moving to Vancouver and instead move to the surrounding communities of Port Moody, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, Tri-Cities of Coquitlam and Surrey. 

Most of these communities are connected to the center via a good public transportation network, so you can move around with ease even before you have gotten yourself a car. You can start out by finding a short-term rental before deciding on your permanent home. 

The market for skilled jobs is a very competitive one, even though there are new jobs being created often. Persons with specialized skills in business and technology or bioengineering may have better luck securing a well paying job. 

All in all, Vancouver is a great place to live, and we do not want to discourage you from relocating here. Once you move, you can connect with new people and find diverse communities where you can feel at home. 

Moving with Pets

As long as your pet has a valid Rabies passport, and has received all the recommended vaccinations, you can bring your furry friend with you. Moving with a pet may make it a little harder to find a home, but it is not impossible. 

Living in Vancouver 

Living in Vancouver is a very enjoyable experience. The city has a lot to offer, and as we said, it has everything from beaches to mountains for outdoor lovers. If you love a party, there are beach clubs that offer happy hour, especially in the summer months. 

The city is vibrant, and city dwellers will tell you it’s an amazing experience living here. The only hesitation would be the current housing shortage in the city, and there is also the traffic. 

Working in Vancouver

Working in Vancouver is just as diverse as the population there. The natural resources and technology sectors have been booming there. The financial sector is also a good place to find well paying jobs for skilled workers. 

Even with a decent salary, your pay could only cover the necessities, thanks to the housing crisis hiking up prices. The best advice for people looking to relocate to Vancouver is to get a well paying job, try to find your home in the suburbs, and use public transportation. 

BevonyIs Moving To Vancouver Worth It?