What Expats Should Know About Vancouver, BC, Canada

by Emmanuelle Archer
(Vancouver, BC, Canada)

1. In which city are you living?

Vancouver, British Columbia, on the West coast of Canada.

2. What is the spoken language, and how much local language do you need to know for daily living?

English. Although Canada is a bilingual country, Vancouver is an anglophone city and you don't need to know any French to live here.

Vancouver is a city of immigrants, and many services are available in a number of languages, such as Cantonese, Mandarin, or Punjabi. You do need to speak English reasonably well to get a job here, though.

3. How is the weather?

Exceptionally mild for Canada - daytime temperatures usually stay above freezing in winter, and it rarely snows in the city. Summers can be hot but they're not muggy as in other parts of the country. It does rain a lot, and winters can be very gray.

4. Is this a good city for families/singles/couples?

Vancouver is a great place for children: it is safe, clean, full of parks and outdoors activities, and most restaurants are kid-friendly.

Singles, and single women in particular, have nothing to worry about: Vancouver is very safe for a city of its size, so you can walk around freely even at night. It's completely OK to go for dinner or to a movie by yourself, no one will find it strange. Many people live with roommates, so you can easily find a place to share if you don't want to live alone.

If you're looking to party, though, you may find the local nightlife/club scene a bit too quiet for your taste.

For couples, the only downside I can think of is that it can be difficult for both partners to find a good job here, and buying a home is very expensive. Other than that, the open and tolerant culture makes it easy for cross-cultural, multiracial, and homosexual couples to fit in.

5. How are the preschool and daycares?

There are plenty of options (including Montessori and French immersion preschool and childcare), although you should apply for an opening as early as possible.

6. Are their international schools/American Schools?

There is no American school in Vancouver. There are a few boarding schools, and local universities offer comprehensive support programs to international students. Be aware that most of the schools that bill themselves as "international schools" are language schools that do not offer a complete curriculum.

7. Any after school activities?

Many schools and community centres offer after-school programs. This is a very active and outdoorsy kind of city, where all sorts of sports and activities are readily available.

8. How is the accommodation?

Generally good quality and recent, but rentals can be scarce and rents are high. Many people share a place with roommates, and they're not just students - I have friends who are well into their thirties and who live with roommates.

9. How is the healthcare?

There are two major general hospitals, a women's hospital, several children's hospitals, and a number of private clinics. The facilities are modern and well equipped. The main downsides are the waiting times at the ER, and the wait list for certain types of surgery.

Provincial health coverage is mandatory, but expats have to wait 3 months before they can benefit from it.

10. Is it a pet friendly city?

Yes, in that Vancouverites love animals, there are plenty of places to walk your dog, and there are excellent pet shops and veterinarians all around the city. However, it is legal for landlords to refuse to rent to pet owners, so your accommodation choices are somewhat limited when you move here with a pet.


11. Is household help easy to find?

Yes - you can use the classifieds or ask other for recommendations. Other than house cleaning and gardening services, household help isn't really part of the lifestyle here, though.

12. How is the traffic and the public transportation (buses, trains, taxis)?

There is an extensive public transportation network that includes buses, ferries, and the SkyTrain (rapid transit). Biking and walking are very popular too. Rush hours can cause traffic jams on the main bridges but the traffic is fairly light otherwise. Parking isn't too difficult, even downtown, but most of it is metered and expensive

13. How is the communication - Cell/land phone, T.V/Cable/Satelite, Internet connection, international calls?

The infrastructure is state of the art, and communications are excellent. Cable, internet and land phone services can be bundled, and there are good deals on international calls. Cell phone plans are rather expensive, however.

14. What is the dress code to work and in public?

Casual, even at work, unless you work in a more conservative field like banking. Many people wear athletic clothes everywhere, and don't really dress up in the evening, except to go to a high-end restaurant or trendy lounge.

15. How is shopping for groceries, household items and clothing?

Excellent. There are entire streets, such as Robson St., devoted entirely to shopping. Vancouver has several shopping malls, and there are many other huge malls in the suburbs.

16. Tell us about sport, entertainment, night life, restaurants.

Vancouverites are an active, sporty bunch, and sport facilities are plentiful. The club scene is rather lacklustre, but there are many excellent bars and lounges opening lately, and the musical scene is quite active - both international acts and homegrown talents. Dining out is a favourite pastime in Vancouver, and we're blessed with an incredible diversity of very good, fairly-priced restaurants.

17. How is the expats community?

Some neighbourhoods and suburbs have higher concentrations of ethnic communities - Chinese, East Indian, Korean or Iranian. There are many cultural centres and associations, and plenty of shops and restaurants to remind you of the tastes of home. It's very easy for foreigners to fit in Vancouver, so don't expect any "expat enclaves" - newcomers just go about their lives the exact same way Canadians do.

18. Any other comments?

If you're tempted to come to Vancouver, by all means give it a try! You'll get to enjoy all the amenities of big-city life, without the crowds, the rush and the pollution. The rainy weather may not be for everyone, but if you like the outdoors, you're going to love it here. Almost everyone in Vancouver is from somewhere else (seriously: 40% of the local population was born outside of Canada), so it's very easy to fit in regardless of your background, your accent or the colour of your skin.

Emmanuelle is a French expat currently living in beautiful Vancouver, BC. Emanuelle is the president of Winning Away Ltd. an expat support and coaching company.