US Citizens might be moving to Vancouver

[Shari 6]

Hello. My English husband just received his U.S. citizenship last month. He is now being considered for a job in Vancouver that just came up. The salary is very good but I know the cost of living in Vancouver is high.

Would some of you that currently do or did live in Vancouver give me your thoughts on the area and housing prices for renting and/or buying. We currently live on the Gulf Coast in Alabama and I know right away there will be a HUGE climate difference. We currently rent a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, one level, attached 2-car garage with a medium sized front and backyard in a subdivision for $1050.00 a month. Our electricity (no gas) averages $90 in the winter and $175 in the summer. How might these prices compare to Vancouver and does Vancouver had houses to rent or only apartments? Any information on Vancouver you could give me money-wise would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Hello. My English husband just received his U.S. citizenship last month. He is now being considered for a job in Vancouver that just came up. The salary is very good but I know the cost of living in Vancouver is high.

Would some of you that currently do or did live in Vancouver give me your thoughts on the area and housing prices for renting and/or buying. We currently live on the Gulf Coast in Alabama and I know right away there will be a HUGE climate difference. We currently rent a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, one level, attached 2-car garage with a medium sized front and backyard in a subdivision for $1050.00 a month. Our electricity (no gas) averages $90 in the winter and $175 in the summer. How might these prices compare to Vancouver and does Vancouver had houses to rent or only apartments? Any information on Vancouver you could give me money-wise would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

You could go on craigslist and get a very rough idea on what it would cost to rent a house or an apartment. Vancouver housing market is pretty $$$$. Gas is a lot more than in the USA--but cheaper than England,lol One pays a lot more in Sale tax on stuff than what you would pay in the USA--that where the $$$$ comes for the "free" healthcare,lol

Vancouver is a nice area,lots to see and do. The mountains are close by, the ocean is right there!! I resided in Victoria for nearly 10 yrs and enjoyed it. Very little snow (usually) in Vancouver in the winters, but can be a lot of grey, rainy days instead!!

[VeeNDee 44]

Hello. My English husband just received his U.S. citizenship last month. He is now being considered for a job in Vancouver that just came up. The salary is very good but I know the cost of living in Vancouver is high.

Would some of you that currently do or did live in Vancouver give me your thoughts on the area and housing prices for renting and/or buying. We currently live on the Gulf Coast in Alabama and I know right away there will be a HUGE climate difference. We currently rent a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, one level, attached 2-car garage with a medium sized front and backyard in a subdivision for $1050.00 a month. Our electricity (no gas) averages $90 in the winter and $175 in the summer. How might these prices compare to Vancouver and does Vancouver had houses to rent or only apartments? Any information on Vancouver you could give me money-wise would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

I'm from the Vancouver area (in a neighbouring suburb) and unfortunately it is one of (if not the) most expensive places to live in Canada. Around where I live you could rent a nice basement suite or apartment for $1050 a month - there is no way that would cover a 3 bedroom house, especially the size you are talking about. If you wanted to save money you could live further away from Vancouver in the suburbs area where it gets a little cheaper but then you have to deal with a long commute as well as the price of gas which is high too.

Like Flames said, it is a beautiful area to live in - the scenery of the oceans and the mountains is one that I love taking photos of, and going on nature walks in. It is the most temperate place in Canada as far as moderate temperatures go year round - it rarely snows, just a few days or a week a year usually, but it does rain quite a lot except in the summer where it is pretty dry (one of the rainiest areas of North America - hence the coastal rainforests).

If you want to buy a house in downtown metro Vancouver you would probably have to pay at least a million - your options would most likely be to rent a condo but it's still quite pricey. So, super small, or out of the city would be your best choices.

I'd suggest doing what Flames said - look up some prices on craiglist:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/

Feel free to ask any more questions... I am going to miss living here but Washington isn't all that different climate wise.

Oh one more thing - do you know where the job opportunity is? It makes a big difference if it is in downtown Vancouver or a neighbouring area (Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, etc) for pricing.

[Shari 6]

Thanks both of you. I had a thought . . . what do you think of the idea of living near the border in Washington and just driving into Vancouver for work? That way the housing may be cheaper and the gas would be cheaper. I don't really know any cities over the border and would certainly not consider as far south as Seattle as that would be over a 2 hour drive, but looks like a 1 hour drive just into Washington. Just asking. Thanks!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

A number of cross-border Canadian/American couples actually do that while they are going through the immigration process. One of the popular places for the US partner to live is in Bellingham, Washington - about 45 miles from Vancouver - and drive the distance. The amount of time spent driving would vary depending on traffic and of, course, how far you need to travel into BC, plus any possible delays at the border, but that is doable. Bellingham is also supposed to be a nice community.

Your husband should check, however, whether his job requires him to live in the area. Some employers request that so they know you are accessible to the job on short notice, if necessary.

Also, if the job is not directly in downtown Vancouver you should look at some of the other neighbouring communities near that side of the City.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Vancouver is a pretty big city! I know some of the traffic coming in and out of the city is horrendous during rush hour

[dukeandduchess 141]

I would suggest looking into living in a smaller suburb (Coquitlam, Burnaby, Richmond) because housing costs will be less, but still expensive. A 3BR home would be at least $1500 to rent, probably more. It depends on the landlord though.

[warlord 72]

We currently live on the Gulf Coast in Alabama and I know right away there will be a HUGE climate difference. We currently rent a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, one level, attached 2-car garage with a medium sized front and backyard in a subdivision for $1050.00 a month. Our electricity (no gas) averages $90 in the winter and $175 in the summer. How might these prices compare to Vancouver and does Vancouver had houses to rent or only apartments? Any information on Vancouver you could give me money-wise would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

I'm so moving to Southern Alabama now

[Krikit 1,163]

Even if you lived in Blaine, WA it would still be a crazy commute. The commuter traffic in and out of Vancouver is nuts, and the border crossings, alone, would kill you. But, I suppose, a NEXUS pass would help out in that regard. It's a tough call. You'd have to look at the numbers and the pros and cons. I would take Vancouver over Alabama any day, though.

[Shari 6]

I'm so moving to Southern Alabama now

Where are you moving to in Alabama? I lived in the Birmingham suburbs most of my life but have lived down near Mobile now starting our 4th year.

Even if you lived in Blaine, WA it would still be a crazy commute. The commuter traffic in and out of Vancouver is nuts, and the border crossings, alone, would kill you. But, I suppose, a NEXUS pass would help out in that regard. It's a tough call. You'd have to look at the numbers and the pros and cons. I would take Vancouver over Alabama any day, though.

A couple things I have seen is that in Canada they do not have any of our cell phone companies (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) and we just signed a new 2-year contract with Verizon last month that we couldn't use and would pay a hefty sum to get out of. Then I wonder what the fees are for getting a driver's license and for registering a car in Canada too.

[Shari 6]

Even if you lived in Blaine, WA it would still be a crazy commute. The commuter traffic in and out of Vancouver is nuts, and the border crossings, alone, would kill you. But, I suppose, a NEXUS pass would help out in that regard. It's a tough call. You'd have to look at the numbers and the pros and cons. I would take Vancouver over Alabama any day, though.

So what are you guessing for a commute in time? Blaine is supposed to be (by Google maps) a 30 minute drive to Vancourver. What realistically would it be with the commuter traffic you think? And again, the gas is sooooo high in Canada - YUCK! I just seems like we would have more $ living in Washington between housing costs and gas costs.

I would suggest looking into living in a smaller suburb (Coquitlam, Burnaby, Richmond) because housing costs will be less, but still expensive. A 3BR home would be at least $1500 to rent, probably more. It depends on the landlord though.

Okay, I will look into those suburbs. Thanks for the names, it helps.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I don't think Google maps factors in TRAFFIC! Its truly terrible during rush hours! Now Vancouver does have a metro, but like anywhere else that has a metro train and u live near it---more ur housing is going to cost.

[alizon 77]

A couple things I have seen is that in Canada they do not have any of our cell phone companies (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) and we just signed a new 2-year contract with Verizon last month that we couldn't use and would pay a hefty sum to get out of. Then I wonder what the fees are for getting a driver's license and for registering a car in Canada too.

I have a friend who moves back and forth between the US and Germany frequently, and he has been able to get out of US cell contracts and had his smartphone unlocked by saying he is moving abroad for good. You might need to do some complaining, but it's worth a shot. Even if you end up having to pay to get out of the contract, for me it wouldn't be worth the time, misery, and money you'll spend on gas just to keep from paying to get out of your cell contract.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I have a friend who moves back and forth between the US and Germany frequently, and he has been able to get out of US cell contracts and had his smartphone unlocked by saying he is moving abroad for good. You might need to do some complaining, but it's worth a shot. Even if you end up having to pay to get out of the contract, for me it wouldn't be worth the time, misery, and money you'll spend on gas just to keep from paying to get out of your cell contract.

Yes we gout out of our verizon contract as we moved out of the USA. Took a bit of talking, but got it done!!

[warlord 72]

Where are you moving to in Alabama? I lived in the Birmingham suburbs most of my life but have lived down near Mobile now starting our 4th year.

Oh I'm not moving, but after seeing how much you pay for your place there, I want to move there. I pay almost as much for a 1 bedroom apt here in Colorado, plus you don't get winter there. Even better and you have 'Bama Football too.