Accommodation in Vancouver
Thanks to its extensive and reliable public transit system, its clean air, laid back atmosphere and spectacular beauty, Vancouver is consistently voted one of the world’s 'most liveable cities' year in and year out; all factors that make the search for accommodation in this Canadian city a highly motivated endeavour for expats.
That said, Vancouver also happens to be one of the most expensive cities and claims the highest housing prices in Canada: the average home in Vancouver costs twice that of a comparable home in Toronto.
The sea and mountains limit the amount of new housing that can be constructed in Vancouver, leading to numerous high-rise apartments and condominiums, and high density living. In addition, increased foreign ownership is reducing the available residential inventory: these wealthy buyers are avidly buying up properties, as second homes for their family, or possibly for children who are attending school in British Columbia.
There are strategies in place to try to make housing in Vancouver more affordable, such as co-operative housing, high-rise condominiums, legalised secondary suites and concentrated development in the city centre to avoid the urban sprawl.
There is a large variety of accommodation available in Vancouver, and options for both unfurnished and furnished housing exist; however, most accommodation is listed as unfurnished. That said, even unfurnished accommodation for rent often includes appliances (such as a refrigerator and stove), with newer rentals possibly even including a washer, dryer, microwave and dishwasher.
The best way to keep up to date with what's available in Vancouver is to peruse online listings.
Popular Rental Sites for Vancouver
Expats may also want to consider enlisting the services of a local real estate agent. These professionals are familiar with the market, as well as the process of leasing and buying property in Vancouver. Furthermore, many agents host accommodation listings on their web sites.
Renting is definitely more affordable than buying property in Vancouver. In terms of apartment/condominium rentals, the monthly rental prices in the city of Vancouver in 2010 were:
Although an efficient public transport system is in place, it does not yet completely meet the city’s needs. Expansion is planned, with the Evergreen line due to be finished in 2014.
According to a 2010 Royal LePage House Price Survey, the average prices for a standard two-storey house vary across the city of Vancouver, depending on the neighbourhood:
Newer condominiums abide by tougher building codes, to protect buyers from what were known as 'leaky condos'. In years past, developers did not take into account Vancouver’s rainy climate, and condos were not built to withstand the city’s wet weather. The resulting water damage has cost billions of dollars, with some buildings requiring expensive 'envelopes', or the complete replacement of their exteriors. Laws have changed to protect condo/strata buyers from this problem.
That said, Vancouver also happens to be one of the most expensive cities and claims the highest housing prices in Canada: the average home in Vancouver costs twice that of a comparable home in Toronto.
The sea and mountains limit the amount of new housing that can be constructed in Vancouver, leading to numerous high-rise apartments and condominiums, and high density living. In addition, increased foreign ownership is reducing the available residential inventory: these wealthy buyers are avidly buying up properties, as second homes for their family, or possibly for children who are attending school in British Columbia.
There are strategies in place to try to make housing in Vancouver more affordable, such as co-operative housing, high-rise condominiums, legalised secondary suites and concentrated development in the city centre to avoid the urban sprawl.
Finding accommodation in Vancouver
There is a large variety of accommodation available in Vancouver, and options for both unfurnished and furnished housing exist; however, most accommodation is listed as unfurnished. That said, even unfurnished accommodation for rent often includes appliances (such as a refrigerator and stove), with newer rentals possibly even including a washer, dryer, microwave and dishwasher.
The best way to keep up to date with what's available in Vancouver is to peruse online listings.
Popular Rental Sites for Vancouver
- Viewit.ca
- Vancouver.kijiji.ca (like an online classified)
- Renters.ca (best for those interested in buying property)
Expats may also want to consider enlisting the services of a local real estate agent. These professionals are familiar with the market, as well as the process of leasing and buying property in Vancouver. Furthermore, many agents host accommodation listings on their web sites.
Renting property in Vancouver
Renting is definitely more affordable than buying property in Vancouver. In terms of apartment/condominium rentals, the monthly rental prices in the city of Vancouver in 2010 were:
- 900 CAD in the North Delta
- 900 CAD in Surrey
- 2,000 CAD in Vancouver West.
Although an efficient public transport system is in place, it does not yet completely meet the city’s needs. Expansion is planned, with the Evergreen line due to be finished in 2014.
Property prices in Vancouver
According to a 2010 Royal LePage House Price Survey, the average prices for a standard two-storey house vary across the city of Vancouver, depending on the neighbourhood:
- 450,000 CAD in the North Delta
- 790,000 CAD in North Vancouver
- 780,000 CAD in Richmond
- 415,000 CAD in Surrey
- 750,000 CAD in Vancouver East
- 1,450,000 CAD in Vancouver West
- 1,040,000 CAD in West Vancouver
- 64,000 CAD in the North Delta
- 340,000 CAD in North Vancouver
- 290,000 CAD in Richmond
- 195,000 CAD in Surrey
- 423,000 CAD in Vancouver East
- 725,000 CAD in Vancouver West
- 450,000 CAD in West Vancouver
Newer condominiums abide by tougher building codes, to protect buyers from what were known as 'leaky condos'. In years past, developers did not take into account Vancouver’s rainy climate, and condos were not built to withstand the city’s wet weather. The resulting water damage has cost billions of dollars, with some buildings requiring expensive 'envelopes', or the complete replacement of their exteriors. Laws have changed to protect condo/strata buyers from this problem.
