Soooooo I went out with BUNAC in the end after lots of umming and arhing purely because I was flying out there by myself (I think meeting people on the plane in the same situation as me proved to be invaluable). Sorting your visa out should be fine, I remember I was told mine would take around 12 weeks to be processed but was done in 2, the police check took forever.
I flew to Vancouver and spend 3 nights there in a hostel and moved straight up to Whistler after those 3 days. I had to work out there as was strapped for cash and I always viewed it as being a working holiday anyway; this process for me just involved plastering every single business with my resume (not a cv, go into a Canadian job agency when you are there for advice as resume's are very different) and then chasing up after a few days. Was lucky enough to land a job at Cow's ice cream where I worked for 4 months
I presume you will want to live with other people over there as will be extremely surprised if you can find a one bedroom place that will only give you a short/roll over lease for this craigslist is the way forward.. but as always be wary of scams and things like that. If your in Whistler the Pique magazine is a very good resource for jobs and rooms for rent, comes out on a weekly basis (other towns offer similar services but don't have any more information on those I'm afraid!)
You said you wanted to head to Vancouver.. excellent idea! I stayed here for 2 months in Kitsalano (people call it Kits) its about a 15 minute bus ride from the centre, right near the waterside and a very friendly neighbourhood; I didnt work when I was in Van but the people I know that lived there initially found it harder to get work purely because of the larger scale etc. The nightlife is immense (if you end up there go to Roxy's, right in the city centre) and the city in general is easily my favourite, so much to do and as cliche as it sounds everyone wants to help
Ermm top tips:
1) get a hostelling international card (can be picked up from an HI hostel, there is one opposite the samesun hostel in Van if its still there) you get a hefty discount on Greyhound busses
2) mobile phones and banking is the one thing this country can't do, be prepared for lots of phone calls to call centres to sort out issues with your mobile as they insane amount for the smallest things. I went with TD bank when I was out there as they provide easy online banking etc and was really easy to sort out.
3) be prepared to slum it with anyone for the first few weeks until you settle, yes it sucks and I'm sure it will put tension on you and the gf but when you find that perfect house with a hot tub, a sauna, ski in access and a king sized bed it will all be worth it
4) see as much of canada as you can, this is my one regret I wish I had travelled to the east coast and seen a lot more.. if you have the time and money then do it!
If you want any information on Whistler let me know as its the area I know most about, can give some advice about Vancouver but didn't spend as much time there O and whatever you do have the time of your life, I love Canada and cannot wait to get back out there and just say 'yes' to everything that is offered to you it is the land of no regrets
I flew to Vancouver and spend 3 nights there in a hostel and moved straight up to Whistler after those 3 days. I had to work out there as was strapped for cash and I always viewed it as being a working holiday anyway; this process for me just involved plastering every single business with my resume (not a cv, go into a Canadian job agency when you are there for advice as resume's are very different) and then chasing up after a few days. Was lucky enough to land a job at Cow's ice cream where I worked for 4 months
I presume you will want to live with other people over there as will be extremely surprised if you can find a one bedroom place that will only give you a short/roll over lease for this craigslist is the way forward.. but as always be wary of scams and things like that. If your in Whistler the Pique magazine is a very good resource for jobs and rooms for rent, comes out on a weekly basis (other towns offer similar services but don't have any more information on those I'm afraid!)
You said you wanted to head to Vancouver.. excellent idea! I stayed here for 2 months in Kitsalano (people call it Kits) its about a 15 minute bus ride from the centre, right near the waterside and a very friendly neighbourhood; I didnt work when I was in Van but the people I know that lived there initially found it harder to get work purely because of the larger scale etc. The nightlife is immense (if you end up there go to Roxy's, right in the city centre) and the city in general is easily my favourite, so much to do and as cliche as it sounds everyone wants to help
Ermm top tips:
1) get a hostelling international card (can be picked up from an HI hostel, there is one opposite the samesun hostel in Van if its still there) you get a hefty discount on Greyhound busses
2) mobile phones and banking is the one thing this country can't do, be prepared for lots of phone calls to call centres to sort out issues with your mobile as they insane amount for the smallest things. I went with TD bank when I was out there as they provide easy online banking etc and was really easy to sort out.
3) be prepared to slum it with anyone for the first few weeks until you settle, yes it sucks and I'm sure it will put tension on you and the gf but when you find that perfect house with a hot tub, a sauna, ski in access and a king sized bed it will all be worth it
4) see as much of canada as you can, this is my one regret I wish I had travelled to the east coast and seen a lot more.. if you have the time and money then do it!
If you want any information on Whistler let me know as its the area I know most about, can give some advice about Vancouver but didn't spend as much time there
O and whatever you do have the time of your life, I love Canada and cannot wait to get back out there and just say 'yes' to everything that is offered to you it is the land of no regrets 
