makeshine

Hello, I will be working in North Vancouver (Harbourside Drive). I am moving to Vancouver from the US in Jan 2012. Am a single woman in my early 30s and was wondering where I might want to live. If I live in Vancouver west end, will the commute to Harourside Drive, North Vancouver be a nightmare? Where else can I potentially live?

Thanks for your feedback

traveller69

The most important question is what is your budget. It would be very convenient to stay on the North Shore rather than the West End. North Van is a great place to live so that would be my first choice as it is so convenient to your work.

Sam_Salmon

The commute from the West End would be easy most days-delays on bridges happen but aren't constant.

OTOH Lower Lonsdale is also a great place to live.

immimi

You could live in the West End and then transfer to the Seabus
then take another bus east to Harbourside. Or if you rented
an apt. in Burnaby you could take a bus from the Exchange
over the 2nd Narrows Bridge and then transfer at Phibbs
Exchange to a bus that passes by Harbourside.


Lower Londsdale would be the most convenient place to live.
Plus it's a fun place - very convenient with lots of great
restaurants and easy access to Downtown by the Seabus.

If you are driving your own car try to avoid having to use
1st Narrows (Lions Gate) to commute - Bottleneck Central.

immimi

Oops - just read Mr. Salmon's response. Guess we've had
different experiences on the bridge. lol.

The Lynn Valley area would be another choice - great bus
service, good amenities and close to skiing, hiking, etc.

ELiz_Travels

I suggest you try to find temporary accommodation for a few weeks or months while you get to know the city. You'll know better what suits you once you've seen it first hand. Housing costs are pretty high and it would be a shame to get locked into an expensive lease only to realize you've made a mistake. I found something quite satisfactory on Craigslist a few years back, but did have someone local to check places out for me.

Sam_Salmon

Accommodation near Lower Lonsdale <i>(within walking distance of work)</i> would be ideal-not a way to save money though the area is in high demand.

makeshine

From what I have researched so far, apartments are available for about $1200 a month in both North Shore (lonsdale area) and West End. However there is better bang for the buck in the North Shore. I think I want to keep my rent at ~$1000. Any more pointers based on this? Thanks for all your replies!

immimi

I think you may find an apt. in your price range further up
Lonsdale. Lower Lonsdale is a newer, 'hipper' area but as
you travel up the hill there are lots of older units on both
sides of Lonsdale. Again, lots of smenities and an easy bus
ride to your work area.

Try North Shore News on line for listings. At least, I hope
they have a reality guide on line - or try to get copies of
the paper on the days it has a real estate enclosure.

Sorry I'm not more specific.

makeshine

What essentially constitutes Lower Lonsdale? What are the limits of this area and is it safe neighbourhood to walk anytime of the day or night? Thanks!

BAK

My experience with large numbers of young people on job assignments in new communities is that almost all benefit from being close to work. Home to work and back is a trip you take five days a week.

Home to entertainment and back to home is a trip you make, probably, less often.

I do not live in Vancouver, but am there a lot, and it is a good city for driving, if you are used to big cities. So a car to use on the weekends makes life easier and more fun, but I'd still suggest living near work.

immimi

Hmmm, Lower Lonsdale boundaries - I'm no urban geographer but
I'd say (roughly) Mahon on the West, Moody on the East and
Keith Rd. south to the waterfront.

The area is urban and has a Seabus terminal that means there
are lots of people coming across the harbour from Downtown
Vancouver - some of them may be a tad sketchy. So you would
go about your business with the same care you'd take in any
city. The main streets are lined with retail and restos
and lots of Starbuck ilks so pedestrians are always around
- and it's an area of young people so lots of action.

If I were young and moving to Vancouver to work on the North
Shore I would definately hunt for a place in or by that area.

traveller69

The lower Lonsdale area is a great spot for you. It is certainly a safe area (not too many unsafe areas in North Van) Of course any city can have a problem anywhere at any time but basically it is a safe place. There is a wonderful market Lonsdale Quay and plenty of restaurants etc in that area. There are literally dozens of apartment buildings within blocks of the Quay. The bus terminus is there as well so getting around by bus is extremely convenient. Anywhere in the Lonsdale area upper or lower is good as it is just five minutes on the bus to the upper Lonsdale area. You could aways put an ad in the local paper North Shore News under the wanted to rent section listing your priorities, rent etc and I am sure you would get responses to that. If you have any questions regarding an area just post again (I was born, raised and I won't say how many years since then in North Van so I am very conversant with it)

makeshine

Thanks for all your replies. My belongings were shipped off to Vancouver today and I am on my way! In the meantime I have also been looking into West Vancouver. Any pointers on if that's a good idea considering where I will work and if there are things to do in the West Vancouver area (walk around, restaurants, movies, shopping etc.)?

BC_Robyn

Start in Lonsdale and visit West Van to see if you like it. I too am a single woman in my early 30's, but I wouldn't recommend moving to West Van, especially as a newcomer, as I'd think it would be rather lonely. Not that there isn't a community, but West Van's known for being a community of mountainside mansion dwellers and affluent families. It's a great place to reside if you're already settled or wanting to start a family, but it would be social suicide if you're new to town, I'd imagine. Lonsdale is much more vibrant a place, especially as a single newcomer.

BC_Robyn

... saying that, West Van is lovely to visit. Park Royal Mall is there, and there are numerous parks, beaches, and trail systems. The restaurant scene isn't anything to write home about, and other than the mall, it's not known for shopping. A lovely place to visit for an afternoon, especially Lighthouse Park.

traveller69

The other thing about West Van is the transportation between West and North Van isn't great. (they are two separate transportation companies so transferring would be an issue)
If you like to walk along the water the West Van sea wall is fantastic you can go for miles and is always busy. Its beautiful on a warm evening. I would still vote for North Van so keep us informed on how you are making out and good luck in your new job.

DMcG

Hey Makeshine! You sound like what we need here! It is grey and pouring with the liquid Vancouver sunshine.
I have lived in N Van for most of my life, now in W Van, and it is definitely more expensive, however in the WV Ambleside core there is every ethnic restaurant imaginable, as well as fish 'n chips, a pub, etc. Also more restaurants, pubs, and boutique shopping in Ambleside and in Dundarave (contrary to remarks above.
There is a bus which goes all along the main drag (Marine Drive) directly to Lonsdale Quay, every half hour. If you had to transfer, they are completely compatible (WV Blue Bus and regular Transit) and their fares are the same and transfers interchangeable. Buses from N or W Van run approximately every 15 minutes along all the main routes.
Lynn Valley is a socked-in forest of fog and rain. Don't go there!
Lower Lonsdale is growing but still has a certain element of some unsavoury characters late at night. As suggested, Central Lonsdale, starting just 13 blocks up from the waterfront, to about 25th Street (Hwy 1) is affordable, safer and convenient to public transportation to the Quay.
Also easy access from these areas by one bus downtown or a couple of buses and the Seabus for clubs, and fun nighttime activity (which is nonexistent on the N Shore).
Good luck and welcome to Vancouver. You will love it!

makeshine

Wow! You guys are such fun. Thanks for continuing to respond to my post.

At the moment my company will put me up in a temp acco. for one month during which I am to find myself an apartment. The company suite is in West Vancouver along the sea wall (apparently with a view of the Lions Gate by the mall, should be fun!). I do have a car and I will be trying out various other means of transport to work just to get a feel for it.

@DMcG - When you say that the night life is dead in N Van, and to take the seabus across to Vancouver, which areas in Vancouver are you referring to? Gastown perhaps? Also since I have a car, is it advisable to drive to Vancouver for the fun activities over the weekend? (I expect to be busy at work at least 5 days a week)

Thanks for the note on Lynn Valley. There is what is called the Sunset in San Francisco akin to Lynn Valley terrible place BRRRRRR...

Will keep you all posted. More comments/suggestions/advice welcome!

traveller69

makeshine your temp accommodation is in an excellent spot for you to get acquainted with the North Shore. I think you will certainly find out all you want to know in the month you are there. The area is really not that large - nothing is really more than 20-30 mins away depending on traffic. Vancouver itself is certainly spread out a lot more so your car would be handy for some activities but for the downtown core you would probably find public transit a better option. But as I say - you will certainly feel at home after your month in West Van. Keep us up to date on your progress its most enjoyable to read and I know you will fall in love with this area.