@traveller69 - Hey, thanks for taking an interest in my adventure. I will be sure to post on how things go for me over the next month.

I am starting to drive towards Vancouver tomorrow 6 AM (hopefully) from San Francisco. Will stop at Crater Lake OR, Portland OR, Olympia WA, Seattle WA before I enter Her Majesty's Kingdom of Canadiana on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day depending on when I get to the border.

In the meantime, I wish to know what you folks think about engaging a real estate agent to find an apartment (reasonable yet nice) in the North Vancouver (lower/central lonsdale area)?

Hiring real estateagents to find rentals is not all that common, at least in most of Canada.

In vancouver tehre are two types of apratments; buildings owned by an individual or a company, renting individual suites to people,all of whom pay rent to the same landlord.

And tghere are a lot of condominium buildings, where individual suites are owned by people (not usually companies) who donot live in the suites themselves, and instead rent them out like conventional apartments. You pay rent to the individual owner of the suite, or to some sort of management company.

Vancouver's agreat city, once you get past the rents. And that may not be too much of a shock, depending where you come from.

Hi makeshine - wow its getting closer - must be exciting!!

Just curious why the stop at Crater Lake as it takes you out of your way - maybe you just want to see it?

There are some good rental agencies in North Van and I would recommend Crest Realty http://vancouverrentalproperties.com/ you can plug in your criteria and they will show the properties available. I looked at their website and you just choose North Vancouver it doesn't specify area but when the pictures and descriptions they give you the address. Most of the ones they are showing say rented but it will give you an idea and there are some available as well. Its a good place to start and probably if you contact them in person they will have some that haven't made the website.

Have a safe drive and look forward to your next installment.

Just so you are aware, Harbourside Dr. is not really walking distance from Lower Lonsdale. This is a relatively new area just beyond the Northshore Automall. A number of businesses and new buildings
have sprung up here in the last few years and I expect there will be even more development in the future. There is a large new office building which is also home to a high end spa as well as professional
offices. There is no accommodation in the immediate area but lower Lonsdale or the quay would be a
short 5 minute drive. There are some new condos on Marine Dr (very busy but very central,and just as close to your workplace as Lower Lonsdale.) There are parts of Lower Lonsdale that are less desirable. Close to the Quay is a new and growing area but is expensive. I would avoid 3rd St east of Lonsdale. There are lots of apartments in that area but it is not the best area for a single woman. Skip Lynn Valley,it is very family oriented and it rains more. Frankly, you will be spoiled by living near the water in West Van!

@traveler69- yes Klamath detour was definitely to see the lake. I was greeted by a snow storm
And couldn't even see my hand in front of me. Not since living in Minnesota have I experienced a 180 degree spin and turn while driving. Quite exciting overall.

@pirouette-when you suggest not to love east of lonsdale on 3rd is it just on 3rd or 2nd as well? Also is it because it is not very safe or because of it not being single friendly? Thx.

makeshine - I heard about the weather in Oregon and was afraid you may run into some snow on that route but glad you enjoyed it and are safe.

To answer your question re east 3rd - I think you will see when you get there bur 3rd is a main street going east and west so it is quite busy. A lot of the condos etc are quite old in that area and I also wouldn't recommend it for that reason. But - you will get a good idea when you see the area and you will know where you want to live. Just enjoy your drive and tour around the area when you get there. Lower Lonsdale used to be all industrial so there are some remnants of that now in certain spots. Then came the sea bus so the area changed with the addition of major office buildings, the market, lovely hotel etc and new condos. So you will see pockets of old and new. As I say just enjoy your drive and then see for yourself when you arrive what appeals to you.

Keep posting!!!!

I don't think there's anywhere on the North Shore that could be deemed "unsafe". Even if you were to stroll around Vancouver's Downtown Eastside where open drug use is rampant, it's not unsafe (the area isn't known for violence, shootings, muggings, rapes, etc.) The North Shore is predominantly an affluent, family-friendly area - the parts that are single-friendly will be obvious.

Got into town 20 mins ago, Yay! The suite is unbelievably cute with a view of the bridge all lit up and festive. Hungry, tired, grimy... but excited!

What a start though! New year, new job, new culture, new country, new everything.

Thanks for all your wisdom. Will continue to report progress with hunt for living space and such. The battle starts tomorrow. Happy New Year to y'all.

...what a terrific start to your NewYear!

Enjoy - and do let us know how you're doing.

I am so happy to hear you have arrived safely. As the mother of a very independent daughter my maternal instincts kick in so I was very relieved to hear you there safe and sound! I really commend you starting a new job in a new city and country. I hope you will continue to keep us updated on your progress in finding the perfect new home.

There are restaurants, tourist attractions etc that we can recommend as you get settled as well. The fact that you have a car is great as you will be able to get around to the out of the way places.

I am staying tuned.

Pah! Had to go back to the border today to get some release forms stamped and the 90 min wait did not help. What a drag...

BUT! I went to the Park Royal Mall for a 'spot of late lunch' at the food court, walked around for a bit and bought some grocs at Osaka Market for the suite. Not used to malls closing at 6 PM. I am more accustomed to starting for the malls around that time (Am looking at some serious lifestyle changes).

Couldn't get a cellphone plan for the iPhone at the mall as I need to get it unlocked before I can use it. Any suggestions between Rogers and Telus?

Hopefully I get to see some apartments tomorrow.

Sorry about the border thing - you never know how its going to be. But at least you have that behind you. I use Telus for cell phone and its fine - I don't know if there is a difference maybe look on line at their plans.

There is a restaurant that is a real institution in North Van that is not far from you (its on the way from West Van to your new office) called the Tomahawk. They specialize in hamburgers that are probably unlike any you have had. They have the largest collection of indian artifacts with totem poles outside. It is a family owned restaurant (since the 40's) and the grandsons now run it. Just about every star who has filmed in Vancouver has been there so its worth a visit sometime. They have other food and their breakfasts are humongous. As you drive along Marine Drive in North Van turn right on Philip Ave and you will see it on the left.

I hope the apartment hunting goes well. Pick up a copy of the North Shore News and see what is advertised in there.

Good Luck - I will look forward to the next installment.

Have had the most exhausting week of my life yet.

Good news - Found a place! Took up a furnished condo at Woodcroft for $1200 a month (all utilities incl Heat, water, hydro, gym, pool, laundry), which I thought was a good deal. Have a 6 month lease. That gives me a little time to figure things out. I like the location, its close to work, amenities are good, gated community, highrise living, and its in a wooded environment which I have always loved. So that's taken care of for the time being.

Bad news - Can't get a cellphone plan! I have no established credit history and it is a bloody nightmare to get anything done despite a well paying job with a reputable Canadian firm and paperwork to prove it. Lost ALL my contacts during phone unlocking. Putting a positive spin on it though and thinking that it means flushing my contacts out and creating new ones. The people I love and want to stay in touch with are still accessible through email, so they will make it back on my phone in a short while.

I have signed up for a prepaid phone with Bell for the moment...

Meantime got my BC ID, SIN, Bank account, applied for a credit card, did a little bit of driving around the neighbourhood (know the lay of the land on the North side of the Lions Gate). Raring to explore Vancouver City over the next few weeks.

Going to try Tomahawk's for Saturday morning brunch.

What do people here normally do to call folks in the US using cellphones (during nights and weekends), use calling cards?

Right now am considering Bell because they seem to have a good deal on a plan for unlocked smartphones although suggestions were for Rogers or Telus. I also like that plan for the fact that it will be a month to month plan so it doesn't lock me down for 3 years.

And yes, I would love travel tips for in and around the area which I intend to explore over the coming weeks.

I know this thread has taken more of a social tone than a travel tone, but I do appreciate all of your patience and input. Thanks again and I look forward to more pointers on living in the area and traveling in the area.

Wow you certainly have been a busy girl but you have accomplished a lot. Woodcroft is a perfect spot for you so I'm glad you found your new home. Six months will certainly give you plenty of time to get to know the area and find other accommodation if you want but it is hard to beat where you are now.

Ok - re cell phone. We spend half of our life (winters) in Southern Arizona and the rest at home in BC. What has bee great for me is Magic Jack. I am sure you are familiar with them and the new ones don't require the computer to be on you can just plug a phone into the modem. (I use a cordless so you don't have to be sitting by the computer) I set mine up with an Arizona phone number so I can call anywhere in the US and Canada. When I am back at home I just put call forwarding onto my Canadian number so my daughter and American friends dial the US number and it is forwarded to me at home. Sounds confusing but it works so well. So if you get one you can choose any number - US or Canadian doesn't matter where you live. You could do the same thing get a US number and call forward it to your Canadian phone. (you should have a land line for that. If you have any questions about it just ask. Enjoy your brunch at the Tomahawk - the specialty there is Bacon and Eggs Yukon style - you might need a doggie bag!!! If you have any other questions or concerns and don't want to post them you could email me at [email protected]

Check out Ayoubs up on Lonsdale-a true gem.


http://www.ayoubs.ca/

Went to Tomahawks yesterday for brunch. Had a veggie burger and yam fries. Scrumptious! The way they chop lettuce and lay it in the bun is awesome and the bun itself is something fine.

I am sure to go back and try their omelette and other non meat stuff. And to browse through their incredible antique collection!

Thanks for that tip.

Start work tomorrow and signing on the lease for the apartment as well. Yay!!

Wow - movin' right along!!

Woodcroft is really well situated - good area.

Congratulations on everything you have accomlished is such a short time. I wish you all the best in your new job and your new home. I'm glad you like the Tomahawk - it is such an interesting place. Not to give away my age or anything but I grew up with the "son" of original owner not the "grandson"!!

Take care and if you have any more questions you know where to find us.

Congrats at last you got nice accommodation near your work.

Thanks for everything traveller69. :)

Work is good so far. Busy but mostly with orientation and getting settled in and that sort of thing. Hopefully will get to start on some real work soon enough.

Special friend visiting in 2 weeks (last weekend in Jan). He wants to see the city of Vancouver. Will be here Friday night through Sunday night. Any tips and suggestions on what we can explore together in the area?

It's all new to us both.

Thanks a bunch!