Permanent Accommodation Guide
Vancouver has many great neighborhoods, and where you choose to live depends on many factors, such as schools for your children (although you can send your children to any school anywhere in the Metro area, no matter where you live), type of neighborhood you are looking for (does it fit with your style of living?), proximity to the workplace, and proximity to outdoor attractions (if you are the active type) such as the beach, parks, walking/cycling trails, etc., and more. Also, where you choose to live will most likely greatly depend on what kind of accommodation you can find in areas you like. If you decide to purchase a home, obviously finding the right home for the right price will mean living in whichever neighborhood your new home is located in.
It can be challenging to find a new home after relocating to a new city. This is one reason it is recommended to rent a temporary type of accommodation for the first few weeks or month in order to give yourself time to not only acclimate but to explore Vancouver’s charming and eclectic neighborhoods, talk with the locals, and learn which areas you like best.
Considerations in finding a new home include:
- local schools
- atmosphere of neighborhood (is it your style?)
- conveniences
- proximity to the workplace
- proximity to outdoor attractions such as the beach, walking/cycling trails, and parks
You may decide to rent a home instead of purchasing (and with Vancouver’s inflated real estate market, few people can afford to purchase single family homes).
Renting considerations include:
- pets (is it pet-friendly?)
- rental deposit
- ensuring the rental property is free of leaks and/or mold
- landlord (will the landlord take care of repairs?)
- rental term (is it long-term or short-term?)
- neighbors (particularly if there will be upstairs neighbors)
- storage locker (is there a place to store your possessions?)
- parking
Purchasing comes with even greater consideration, since you will be investing a great deal financially in your new home, and will likely be keeping it for some length of time.
Purchasing considerations:
- neighbors
- home inspection report
- property valuation
- neighborhood demographics
- local schools and conveniences
- property tax
- parking (neighborhood permits and parking space/garage)
