Accommodation in Vancouver

Vancouver city centre sits between Richmond to the south across the Fraser River, and North Vancouver across the Burrard Inlet. The city centre is on the north of the peninsular, in close proximity to the suburbs that lie over the water. West Downtown Vancouver, which is the area closest to city centre peninsular, has many high-rise apartments to choose from and is the most popular residential area.

Early on, planners recognised a need for high density residences close to the main areas of commerce and zoned accordingly. The rest of the city has an eclectic mix of apartments, townhouses and single family homes. Vancouver encourages diversity, meaning expats can find the flavour of home when they scratch Vancouver's surface. Names like Little Italy and Chinatown give testament to this fact.
 

It is easy to find furnished apartments in Vancouver and it is best to rent when first arriving. This is particularly important as the housing in Vancouver is some of the most overpriced in the world. It is well worth taking time to find deals before buying. The price for housing in Hastings, which is the closest suburb to the city centre, starts at US$320,000, while apartments start at US$160,000. Furnished rentals will cost between US$1,200 to US$5,600 per month depending on proximity to public transport and facilities. Many apartment complexes have a gym, swimming pool and sauna. It is worth avoiding the downtown east-side, rough lower income neighbourhoods.
 

Although an efficient public transport system is in place, it does not yet meet the cities needs. Expansion is planned with the Evergreen line due to be finished in 2014, and the Canada line which will run from downtown Vancouver to Richmond and will be finished in 2009.
 

Vancouver will host the 2010 Winter Olympic games, and rent around January 2010 can be inflated. Of course, with so many foreign nationals in the city Vancouver could be an expat epicentre early 2010.