Thinking of Moving to Langley/Vancouver area?

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Ragnar

Vancouver is the most international city on the west coast of North America. It has a pulsing beat that is unmatched by any of its American neighbors to the south. Its entertainment runs from the raunchy nude bars of the Cecil and the Drake to the sophisticated venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Theater. You can dine from the grease dripping food of the White Spot to the gormet taste of Hy's Encore. In short, this is a city that has it all. Its Amsterdam without the smell of urine in the streets. That being said, there is a downside to Vancouver and the lower mainland. You need to understand that the lower mainland (that area roughly from Vancouver to the Fraiser River Delta and south to the border) is the southern California of Canada. As such it has all the attendent problems that come with swelling population and scarce land. In the last few years land prices have soared and land use practices have destroyed what were once charming neighborhoods. New immigrants, many from Asia, have bought existing houses, torn them down, and built "mega-houses" which are completely out of proportion with the other houses in the neighborhood. The result is a housing market that is somewhat in flux. Langley is connected to Vancouver via highway 99 as well as small surface streets. Commuter traffic is brutal, and extremely unpredictable. The main streets out of the city to the south, Granville and Oak, can be easly brought to their knees by the slightest traffic accident. One option to commuting, is to find a less expensive community along the skytrain route which winds from the city down through New Westminster. Before you get too far along in your plans, buy a months subscription to the Vancouver Sun and Georgia Strait. Look at the prices for apartments, gas, houses, and other costs, then compare them with what your potential salary might be. You may find you're better off staying south of the border. I hope this helps a bit.

NiceGuy72

UBC & Kits etc. can cost big $$$, Housing can be cheap in Langley compared to other areas. It is a good central point for exploring, eating, going to school, paying less for gas, not to mention shopping galore. Do you already have worked lined up?

tess

Vancouver is very expensive to buy a house. Langley is cheaper, but still quite expensive. If you live in Langley & work in Vancouver, you're going to face long waits in rush hour traffic. You'd have to cross the Port Mann Bridge & its a real bottle neck.
The only bad thing I can say about living in Vancouver/suburbs is the weather...it rains alot. However they have quite mild winters & very little snow.
Vancouver is a very beautiful city though with the ocean & the mountains.

old lady

Lots of goods - good climate, good medical system, good schools. What part of California are you from? If you're in Northern California, the weather will be much the same as what you are used to -- possibly a bit warmer in the winter. There is a lot of hiring going on right now, but most of it is in the minimum wage bracket. If you have a skill or special training you can bring with you, that would be a big help toward finding a job.
Langley is very nice area - close enough to the city if you want to go see or do something special (Chicago, the musical, is on right now -- along with a dozen other stage shows) but far enough out to be away from the ratrace.

Pichi

First, do you have legal status in Canada? If not, you will first have to go through the immigration process before you can move to Canada. It will take 1-3 years and cost $1,200 per person in fees and associated costs.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/

Second, depends on what kind of life you are looking for. Personally, I much refer Vancouver to Langley or any of the other suburb areas, and generally I don't care for cities much, but Vancouver is a delight.

Vancouver is a beautiful city with much to offer. While much of the housing is expensive, it is possible to rent a decent house or apt. if you spend some time looking.
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fatsausage

Why Langley? It is Parochial.
Look for a house near the University of British Columbia,
e.g. in the Alma area or Kitsilano.

strange wind

i live there my self it's very nice, very few homeless i have never even seen any. It is horse of BC and old car capital of Canada though religion my be an issue if your not Cristian.
it is an amazing place! nice scenery to

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