Canadian residents/expats etc, in here! (specifically Vancouver)

[Stupot_]

Hi all,

I graduate this year and am considering a change of scenery for a year or two.

For those who have visited/lived there, what is Vancouver like? I will be heading out with a friend and intend to make the most of skiing and hopefully other outdoors activities.

What are the local ski resorts like (seems cypress is the best)? I assume whistler is too far away/expensive to make it a viable weekend option although I'm sure we'd make a few trips up there.

Do you need a car to get around? If so what's the process of foreigners driving over there? Or is it too much hassle, in which case we could always rent for a couple of big trips.

Where's the best place to live? West end seems like the place to be, how pricey is it? Comparable to London? Or less? What's the process with renting too? Is it a good move to make contact with an agent before going out there or just turn up, book a hotel for a few nights and get searching. Will I need a guarantor etc? How easy is it for foreigners to rent?

Anything else about Vancouver? Nightlife?

We'll obviously need to get visas, I'm not sure the best way to go about this as there are a lot to choose from. May be possible to get a student visa as I still need to complete my studies part time.

What's the job market like at the mo? Better or worse than England?

I'm coming to the end of an Architecture degree (part 2) and will probably expect to be earning £25-30k going in to a local architecture practice, so should be plenty to find a nice 2 bed flat and enjoy winter playtime too

Would greatly appreciate information on any or all of these points from locals, or visitors who can offer any thoughts on what Vancouver is like to visit!

Cheers

 

[Nexus]

I've written some stuff on it on OCUK before, so you can probably find it still... in brief though.

I spent nearly two years out in Whistler on the BUNAC working holiday visa... extended it to a tourist visa after the first year came to an end.

Cypress, Grouse and Seymour aren't exactly huge, but then they are on your doorstep in Vancouver and are 100 times better than anything we have in the UK... but then we don't really have anything anyways!

Whistler certainly isn't out of the question for the weekend, it's only just over two hours drive, so you get loads of people coming up from Vancouver. Infact they have been known to keep lifts closed when there is a big dump of snow in order to ensure they get as many people coming up from the City as possible.

A car wasn't really necessary in Whistler, nor would it really be in Vancouver with public transport I would have thought... it also didn't take long to walk around the main city area. It's like anywhere though, if you are there an extended period of time I believe you need an international driving license.

The most important thing to point out though is Visas. BUNAC (British Universities North America Club) offer a 1 year open Canadian working visa to any one who is a student (or has an offer) or open to anyone else who is Under 35 (I think that's the age). They are once in a lifetime Visas, however if you are a student you can technically have both, so you could work two years.

Just applying for a Visa though by other means is no easy task.
They really only take people who have a certain trade (you can see the Canadian Immigration website for what they currently need), it can also be a lengthy process taking a number of years.

Sponsorship is another way, such as if you go on a BUNAC visa and work for somebody for the year and they want to sponsor you. However trouble is they have to prove to the Canadian government over a period of three months that they weren't able to find a Canadian to fill the role. So it's really tough on that front and it's not a likely option.

In summary, go out there and work a year on the BUNAC visa. If you are really serious about wanting to be out there more permanently you are going to have to really try and jump through all the hoops and see if you can fit into what they need.

 

[torN]

excellent thread, thank you very much for the info nexus. Ive been looking at doing a year or so out there after uni! Would i be able to apply for the BUNAC while im at uni even tho im finishing in july?

 

[Stupot_]

Thanks nexus that's helpful. At the moment I'm not thinking of anything permanent so BUNAC sounds ideal. It's just a break to gain some experience, travel, and have some fun before I get too old, and before I start studying for my part 3 back in the UK

 

[Nexus]

excellent thread, thank you very much for the info nexus. Ive been looking at doing a year or so out there after uni! Would i be able to apply for the BUNAC while im at uni even tho im finishing in july?

Yeah, that way it will be classed as the BUNAC student visa, so you would technically be also to get another one when you are not a student if you wished.

 

[Nexus]

Thanks nexus that's helpful. At the moment I'm not thinking of anything permanent so BUNAC sounds ideal. It's just a break to gain some experience, travel, and have some fun before I get too old, and before I start studying for my part 3 back in the UK

I did mine after graduating Uni, not sure how I would really fit it in otherwise and glad I didn't before I went to Uni.

Was easily one of the best decisions I've ever made though. Turning up in Vancouver with nothing and then it all just fell in to place... I was only originally intending to stay for the winter but it was so hard to leave!

Go for it.

 

[semi-pro waster]

Cypress, Grouse and Seymour aren't exactly huge, but then they are on your doorstep in Vancouver and are 100 times better than anything we have in the UK... but then we don't really have anything anyways!

I unfortunately didn't get the chance to go on them as I was only there during the summer but I feel you're probably being rather unfair on Glenshee certainly and Aviemore possibly here as on a good day (rare though that may be) they offer terrain comparable to some good European resorts albeit rather less of it.

However that minor quibble aside there's not too much I'd add to your post in terms of advice. I would point out that banking in Canada is a bit weird when coming from the UK since you've got to pay for the privilege of having a bank account (and may have to pay for any transactions beyond a certain number per month). Their mobile networks aren't as good as the UK, they cost more and the choice of phones is pretty dire - or at least it was when I was there a few years ago. BUNAC are pretty helpful and will get you sorted out with a Social Security number which you'll need for a job.

I had a brilliant time in Vancouver and can't recommend it highly enough, I'd love to go back either for a holiday or possibly even to live if I can persuade the Canadian Government that they need me based on the NOC.

 

[Stupot_]

Thanks semi-pro. BUNAC does look good but I just noticed the price - £250. Seems like I'd be paying for a lot of extras (phone support, one night in hotel, transfers, documentation etc)

Does it cost anything to get a social security number? Are there any similar companies that will offer a visa and social security for less £££ without all the extras?

 

[semi-pro waster]

Thanks semi-pro. BUNAC does look good but I just noticed the price - £250. Seems like I'd be paying for a lot of extras (phone support, one night in hotel, transfers, documentation etc)

You get one night in a hotel now? That's more than I got although from what I recall it cost a fair bit less when I did it 4-5 years ago. I had to arrange my own transfers too. Ah, I see it's only for those on their group flights which I didn't take up.

If you want to try doing it yourself then the Canadian High Commission have fees on their website, it's about £90 for the work permit including temporary residence visa which is what BUNAC will provide. However I believe BUNAC do provide a vetting service of sorts to ensure that your application is ok so you just pay once - I'm not sure about this part of Canada's immigration but I believe for the full work permits/residence visas if you make a mistake on your form then they'll often charge you for a new one.

Does it cost anything to get a social security number? Are there any similar companies that will offer a visa and social security for less £££ without all the extras?

I'm fairly sure that a social security number is free but you'll need to work out how to get one - it can't be all that difficult but as with any bureaucracy it will require knowing what to do. I don't know of other companies as I haven't investigated them, there may well be others but I only went with BUNAC because it was an easy option and I was willing to pay for the convenience of being sure it would all be done. It's up to you whether it's worth it, I'm sure you can arrange it all yourself.

Oh and before I forget you are supposed to be able to prove that you've got £2,000 (or $4,000 CAD I believe) in funds available at point of entry so that you can leave again. I had bank statements although from what I recall they weren't even looked at so whether they just took it on trust or what I don't know.

 

[Nexus]

I unfortunately didn't get the chance to go on them as I was only there during the summer but I feel you're probably being rather unfair on Glenshee certainly and Aviemore possibly here as on a good day (rare though that may be) they offer terrain comparable to some good European resorts albeit rather less of it.

However that minor quibble aside there's not too much I'd add to your post in terms of advice. I would point out that banking in Canada is a bit weird when coming from the UK since you've got to pay for the privilege of having a bank account (and may have to pay for any transactions beyond a certain number per month). Their mobile networks aren't as good as the UK, they cost more and the choice of phones is pretty dire - or at least it was when I was there a few years ago. BUNAC are pretty helpful and will get you sorted out with a Social Security number which you'll need for a job.

I had a brilliant time in Vancouver and can't recommend it highly enough, I'd love to go back either for a holiday or possibly even to live if I can persuade the Canadian Government that they need me based on the NOC.

No you are right, I have been.

But I was thinking more in terms of England really where all we have are snowdomes and dryslopes. Scotland has some good terrain and it's great if you are local. For most of England though it's a real trek to get to.


I agree with you on the banking front, it's a little strange though I suppose we are lucky in this country to have free banking, but I also get the impression that people in North America generally prefer to use cash or credit cards, rather than using debit cards to pay for things.

One Canadian friend of mine had a bank account with 'President's Choice' I believe a Supermarket, though they didn't have a branch that I ever saw and they didn't charge you.

Phones too you are correct on...
My Sony Erricsson I had back then when I was out there died and I had to buy a new one with a pay-as-you-go SIM from Rogers. It cost like $80 for some crappy 3 colour screen Nokia. Was annoying when in the UK at the time you could get a pay-as-you-go for like £10.

Nothing was more enfuriating than trying to add credit while speaking to the automated 'Melony' who didn't understand me unless I put on a Canadian accent!

I'm dying to go back, just can't believe how long it's been already.

 

[Nexus]

BUNAC may seem expensive, but really it's the only viable and easy option, as you can get one no questions asked (though there might a criminal record check now... not sure).

I personally took the BUNAC flight...

Positives to it were that we flew with Air Canada who basically were empty, so you could sleep across four whole rows if you wanted. You also get the e-mail addresses of everyone else going, so can get in touch with everyone else beforehand... probably even easier today with Facebook.

You get taken to a hostel when you arrive at the airport... though for some reason they forgot to book it with us... so we all had to take the bus and they reimbursed us.

I paid to stay an extra four nights in Vancouver I think it was... which pretty much most other people also did if they didn't have plans. It was a somewhat weird experience though as everyone was busy trying to find jobs and accommodation while still trying to see a bit of the city before leaving. Everyone was either going to Whistler or Banff... most of the younger people the later due to the drinking age.

On your first full day, you got to the office of SWAP (BUNACs Canadian equivalent) and they give you your Social Security number as well as a talk on job hunting and Canadian customs etc... they most talked about Whistler and skiing though with everyone coming to work winter. They also had computers you could use and would accept post for you.

After that I never had any dealings with BUNAC again... aside from their insurance scheme, which actually works out quite well, as you can renew whenever you like, while in the country. They paid out over $12,000 when I broke my wrist mtbing in the summer, so I can recommend it.

So it's kind of odd in that you use them to set everything up for you, but then kind of totally forget about them.

When I got to Whistler... through a private coach they organized for us I eventually started to run into people I recognized from the flight and the hostel around town. While I might not have spoken to them before, it quickly became quite easy as we had the same thing in common. I eventually lived most of my first winter season in a chalet with 8 other people I'd been on that same BUNAC flight with... so it's handy for that.

 

[kwerk]

A. Full of asian people
B. Full of homeless people
C. Smells like urine
D. Average house price over $1 MILLION (thanks to the asians).

 

[Stupot_]

Cool

Nexus have you been skiing in the Alps? How does Canada compare? I'm worried that I'll quickly tire of going to the same resort (cypress?) for a whole season as they all seem pretty small compared to three valleys/portes du soleil etc which are just huge. They all seem like tree runs too, are there many opportunities for going off piste/backcountry?

 

[Nexus]

Yes, I've also done a season in Les Arcs.

I'm not really too sure on the whole backcountry aspect on the Vancouver mountains as they are not huge and obviously close to the city.

Whistler on the other hand has everything. Groomers, tree runs, open bowls and chutes and easily one of the best resorts for Park features in the world.

Portes Du Soliel I've been too, as I've stayed in Morzine. It's HUGE... like really HUGE. It's too big really, as it takes all day to get over to the Swiss side, by the time you get there you can do a couple of runs and then need to head home again.

The only negative I have with Whistler though is that it's a victim of it's own success. In Europe, if you get a powder day you can usually still find powder within the resort boundaries a couple of days later. Also in Europe, most people stick totally to the pistes, not even venturing off to the sides where you aren't really off piste properly. This is different in Canada as the general standard of ability is so much higher and the rules on boundaries are a lot different, as Ski Patrol will rescue you for free if you are off piste within the resorts boundary.

In Whistler it's like a feeding frenzy, all the locals, people from Vancouver and all the holidaymakers will flock to the slopes first thing if it's a guaranteed power day. Everything in the resort will be tracked by midday... you then have to start looking outside of it. Also avoid the place at Xmas or Easter. At Xmas I remember there being liftlines which took nearly 45 minutes.... so not worth it.