Job Discussion Forums

jseens · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 21

Hello everyone,

I will be moving to Vancouver in the fall where I will be taking the TESOL Diploma program at Vancouver Community College (VCC). Does anyone have any suggestions, recommendations on where or how to go about finding accommodations? I'm very budget concious, will be in Vancouver for at least a year, and have never rented before so do not have any references:( Any help would be appreciated!

Jessica

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I think it depends on what you want to spend on rent. Some areas are dumps, like the King Edward Campus area you will be doing the diploma program at. Factor in your commute and the bus and or skytrain (rapid transit) routes. You didn't mention a car, so I assume you won't have one. Has been awhile since I lived in Vancouver, do a search for the Vancouver Sun and see what the rents are going for these days. If you have specific questions about different parts of the city, you can ask. You say you are budget conscious, but DO NOT stay in the cheapest places. There are some nice areas (to the west) within a 15-20 minute bus ride away from King Ed campus.

I really like Vancouver, very cosmopolitan city and it has everything you need.

jseens · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 21

Thanks Gordon. Sounds like you know the program and the area quite well. So if I'm going to be at the King Ed. campus can you suggest some "nice" areas/neighbourhoods within a 15 to 20 minute bus ride that I can narrow my focus on?

Did you take the TESOL program at VCC? If so, was it worth it? Helpful in getting jobs?

Thanks ever so much.

Jessica

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

King Ed is on Broadway, a major street that runs east west. I always thought a nice area to live would be around Broadway and Oak (about a 15 minute bus ride away to the west and the buses run every 5 mins). Lots of shops and cafes and stores around. Lots of apts too, but the vacancy rate is high in Vancouver so the good places get taken real fast, usually a month to 2 months early. The further west you go, the more expensive it will be, like Kitsilano which is really trendy, but expensive.
Here is a link to give you an idea of places http://homes.canada.com/vancouver/browsecategory.aspx?id=3134

I don't know the VCC TESOL diploma that much, but everything I did hear was good. I used to work at VCC, an excellent place to work.

jseens · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 21

Wonderful! Time to start my research:)

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Where are you coming from?

jseens · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 21

I'm coming from the Toronto area. I actually have lived in Vancouver before but only in residence and never paid any attention to good and bad areas for renting, costs, roomates, etc. I'm kind of freaking out about it. lol. Basically I'm clueless as to the whole process and can't imagine how anyone is going to rent to me without a job (although I do have money saved up). I'm not exactly the spontaneous type and like to have things planned out in advanced.

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

There are a couple of neighbourhoods which may interest you, that are near KEC. First is Commercial Drive, which used to be the Italian neighbourhood, and is now Latin American / left-wing / lesbian. It has a bit more than its share of druggies and street people, but some people love it. The other is the new "hip" area of Main Street, which is more middle class but very much on the arty side. You can probably think of their counterparts in Toronto.

As for finding accommodation, there is the Vancouver Sun, something called craigslist, and you might also find the UBC AMS website helpful. There is lots of housesharing in these neighbourhoods (and elsewhere), which may be cost-effective for you.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I lived near Joe's Cafe on Commercial Drive back in 89/90. Commercial Drive was great then, lots of kids and artsy people. Now, it is lots of drugs and weirdos. Interesting to walk around on a Sat. afternoon, but I wouldn't want to live there anymore.

jseens · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 21

Great ideas everyone! I never thought to check the UBC AMS site. Really I would love to live in Kits but I think it'll be a bit too pricey for me. Has anyone ever done the whole rent a room in a house thing?

Celeste · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 10:48 pm Post subject:

A lot of young people in Vancouver rent large old houses with ridiculous numbers of roommates. Check out the 'shared accomadation' section of craiglist and vancouver sun. I would say that the main street area would probably be a good bet. Anywhere from Main to Knight, South of 16th avenue and North of 41st should be okay. You are right, you probably can't afford Kits! Used to be a hippie haven, but those hippies grew up and became yuppies, and now they are the establishment. THe Main Street area could be the new Kitsilano, but without the beach.

VanKen · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Calgary, AB Canada

If I was moving to Vancouver and didn't know anybody here, I would check out these websites to find a place to live. Lots to choose from, in every price range.
http://www.myidealhome.com
http://www.homes4students.ca
http://www.roommates.com
http://www.amsrentsline.com

Gordon, I guess it has been a while since you last lived in Vancouver, eh? I'm in East Van,and it's a great place to live. The Drive is no longer the dump you describe. Main Street is the new Commercial Drive, lots of new businesses and such. New condos are cropping up everywhere! Sure, there are dumpy buildings and such (as there are everywhere) but why recommend living in expensive Kits when there are nice paces available in the community?

Jseens, you should be able to find something you like within walking disatance of VCC, no problem. The accomodation boards at King Ed are especially good for finding something closeby.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

VanKen · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Calgary, AB Canada

delacosta · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 325 Location: zipolte beach

i agree 100%-east van commercial drive area is the most amazing place to live. lots of affordable shared houses, tons of cheap ethnic restaurants. really any type of food you could imagine, bookstores, cool second hand clothing stores, organic fruit and vegetables shops, etc. it's the only place i'd live in vancouver. i also did the vcc diploma and it was a joy to walk or bike to my classes. you will most likely also have to take some courses at the downtown campus, now that's bordering the really shady area of vancouver-the downtown lower east side, but even there as long as you're not part of the scene its no problem, i've walked the area late at night, never had a problem.
there are a lot of drug addicts, panhandlers and hookers in vancouver, it's something you just have to get used to, lock your doors and windows etc...
personally i'm glad to have their presence in east van, they've kept the scared yuppies from taking over the area, add local colour, that kind of thing. they're just people fer christ's sakes, they're not cannibals who're gonna eat your children!
you can check along commercial drive, there are a lot of communal posting boards where people post looking for roomates, renting apartments, etc. now that i remember the king edrard campus also has a housing board with students looking for roomates.
let us know where you end up.