Vancouver City Guide

University of British Columbia (UBC)

• Type of housing: Student accommodation within almost 1,000 acres houses almost 35,000 students.
  
• Location: At the Western point of Vancouver
  

If you are an international student on a temporary permit in Canada, find out more about the University of British Columbia here.

South Granville

• Type of housing: Elegant housing and apartments close to amenities such as bars and restaurants while taking a 15-minute walk from Granville Island.
  
• Location: South of Downtown opposite the Granville Street bridge.
  
• Estimate rent per month: As of August last (2021), the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment could range from $1,795. There may have been an increase in 2022, depending on market value or what you're looking for.

You'd be delighted that Vancouver makes it fairly easy to get around. With Metro Vancouver's public efficient transport systems, you can enjoy various public transit services such as:

SkyTrain

This form of transportation is a rapid system that entails various lines, such as the Millennium SkyTrain, the Expo, and the Canada Line, which will transport you to Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Port Moody, and Coquitlam. The Canada Line, however, is used by those coming from downtown Vancouver to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the city of Richmond.

HandyDART

If you're suffering from physical or cognitive disabilities, HandyDART would be your ideal transport service as it offers assistance and accommodates people under these circumstances.

Bus

The city's bus network, such as rapudBuses, trolleys, and shuttles, allows for easy commuting while enabling residents to get off at their stop within 400 meters of their homes.

SeaBus

This is a passenger-only ferry service where people are loaded by boat and transported across the Burrard Inlet to downtown Vancouver with the North Shore.

West Coast Express

This service operates during the week, Monday to Friday morning and evening periods between downtown Vancouver and Mission.

Things to do in Vancouver

Rated as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, you can explore its mountain backdrop, urban beaches, and extensive parks. Still think you know everything about Vancouver? Well, we are about to give you some of Vancouver's popular destination stops. Discover these hotspots below!

Stanley Park

Every year, over 8 million people visit the 405-hectare outdoor recreational space, namely Stanley Park. Visitors can stroll through the forest and cycle along the Sea Wall, constructed around the park. No matter the season, visiting the park has become an integral part of the city's landscape over the years. Be sure to explore the Second Beach and the secluded Third Beach, offering spectacular views overlooking the bay.

The Vancouver Seawall

Journey along the 9-kilometer Vancouver Seawall that runs along the entire park, an uninterrupted seaside pathway that begins at Vancouver Convention Centre and runs to Spanish Banks Park. The pathway is for walkers, runners, and cyclists, providing a scenic and peaceful experience. Visitors can also enjoy the views over the bay while dining at the many restaurants along the pathway. Imagine enjoying a cocktail in the early evening while taking in the beauty of Vancouver.

Grouse Mountain

Ideal for the summer days, take a spontaneous 15 minutes to drive downtown Vancouver to find Grouse Mountain and enjoy hikes and zip lining through the forest. The lush vegetation allows the lucky few to catch sightings of Canadian wildlife, such as bears and moose. Guests can take the Skyride to the top of the mountain for one of the area's best views while visitors enjoy the slopes of Grouse Mountain. In Winter, you can expect a heavy dose of snowfall, making skiing and snowboarding top your list of activities.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

This swaying bridge was first introduced in the late 1880s and spans a 70-meter-deep river canyon leading to an activity park filled with forest trails and a treetop walk through old-growth giants. Crossing the 137m bridge, explore all that nature offers, such as lush fir- and fern-carpeted forests and towering trees. Visitors can hail a free shuttle ride to and from the bridge park, and the ticket also covers the transparent platform known as the Cliffwalk and many other exciting attractions in the park.

Vancouver Lookout

Have you ever wanted to see the world from high up? Located at the top of Vancouver's iconic attractions, Harbour Centre, you can oversee from an ascended glass tower elevator for approximately 40 seconds, leading to the panoramic observation deck at 553 feet high, allowing you to immerse yourself into the stunning city at a 360 view where you would be able to see the North Shore Mountains and Vancouver Island.

Chinatown

Located in Vancouver beyond the majestic Millennium Gate, Chinatown is known for its traditional Asian cuisines. It is a neighborhood deeply rooted in Asian tradition, transporting you back into the classical 15th century - with the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens featuring small Victorian shops and restaurants marked in Chinese characters. The gardens were initially modeled as a traditional garden from the Ming Dynasty, which hosted a spectacular parade every Chinese New Year.

Vancouver’s Restaurants

Whether you enjoy fine dining, seafood, steak houses, or pub food, Vancouver has you covered. Let's take a look at the city's food sector…
Are you a seafood fanatic? Make your way to Yaletown, where Blue Water Cafe and Raw Bar is said to be one of the best seafood restaurants in the city. The venue has won many awards for its spectacular cuisine, ranked as the best seafood, and by Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards from 2008 to 2015. The upmarket restaurant offers a varied selection of seafood - from the raw menu to the fresh tank seafood, including Alaskan King Crab and Atlantic Lobster.

Hawksworth Restaurant

Voted "Vancouver's Restaurant of the Year," Hawksworth Restaurant is a culinary triumph. Chef Robert Hawksworth remains true to his unique art of cooking, with ingredient-led and contemporary meals that demonstrate a highly skilled technique. You can find this elegant restaurant on West Georgia Street, in the heart of the vibrant city. Offering private dining areas and an upmarket clientele, this restaurant is a treat for the senses.

Dining with a View

If you want to dine good food while absorbing the city's natural beauty, you'll be happy to take the sky car up Grouse Mountain and settle in at the Observatory Restaurant. This upmarket venue offers a selection of locally-sourced meals that are perfectly selected to enhance your unique experience. Perched on top of the mountain, you can see over the city and onwards to the distant mountains.

Culinary Tours

Truly experience the heart and soul of Vancouver with a unique culinary tour. You can experience the unique flavors of local foods at some of the city's best-loved food trucks, or you can stroll down the street, sampling meals from various restaurants. The famous China Town is one of the biggest in the world and worth a visit.

Arts and Culture

Vancouver is at the heart of Canada's arts and culture offerings. The rich culture of the vibrant city has created many platforms for locals to exhibit their talents. South Granville Street, sometimes referred to as "Gallery road." It encompasses some top art galleries, including the well-known Douglas Reynolds Gallery and the unique Ian Tan Gallery.

Suppose you are a movie buff or interested in the film industry. In that case, you can enjoy some of the finest work at the annual Vancouver International Film Festival, which showcases one of the best cinemas. And if you want to take it a step further, you can rub shoulders with some film fans and industry professionals with a collection of films from various countries worldwide.

Education in Vancouver

As per the information provided by the Government of British Columbia, the following factors will be implemented in BC's kindergarten to Grade 12 education system:

• The government plans to invest $8.2 billion to provide students with the necessary support structures, leaving us with $7.4 billion to invest in the kindergarten to Grade 12 education system this year.
  
• The 2022 Budget provides $250 million for the kindergarten to Grade 12 public schools and an additional $ 105 million increase to improve childcare funding.
  
• The government will also implement funding to support Indigenous students, expected to increase to $98.7 million the next school year.
  
• Additionally, the government will focus on rural school districts where these schools will receive $340 million to implement improvements for the next school year.
  
• School districts can expect to receive approximately $55 million through the Learning Includes Nutrition and Knowledge (CommunityLINK) and $24 million via the Equity of Opportunity Supplement. These monies will fund programs that support children and youth in need.

As you can see, the above data proves that the government strives to make education easily accessible to students of various socioeconomic backgrounds by implementing several factors that will improve the education system in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC).

Canada’s Immigration Programs

We could never truly have enough time to break down every immigration pathway Canada offers since convenient options are abundant. However, we will outline some of the most commonly used and preferred immigration options below:

Express Entry System

The Express Entry system is an online points-driven system that aims to manage immigration applications. The system is well-renowned for yielding quick immigration results and comprises three immigration programs. These are as follows:

1. Canadian Experience Class
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program

Foreign nationals explore the above programs based on their needs and circumstances. For more information on the Express Entry system, find our resource here.

Apply through the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (BC PNP)

This program allows foreign workers to gain permanent residence in Canada with the in-demand skill set needed in a province. The province will nominate the candidate and their family to settle in Canada. You must be a skilled worker able to contribute to the Canadian economy or an international entrepreneur - this will be subject to different criteria and requirements, depending on the province's standards and processes. Skilled workers can use the following programs when looking for work in Vancouver, British Columbia:

• Express Entry BC
  
• Express Entry BC - Skilled Worker codes
  
• British Columbia Tech Pilot
  

For a more in-depth overview of the programs mentioned above, learn more about top in-demand jobs in British Columbia and the programs here.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

This immigration option is a province-driven program for skilled workers through which you can apply as skilled workers or international students who want to live and work in Canada. The idea is to target a province that falls short of your skills. Skilled workers may have to obtain a Canadian employee's Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). A positive LMIA would show that your employee can hire a skilled foreign worker.
For your convenience, find out more about the Provincial Nominee Program here. Alternatively, see how to go from temporary resident (TR) to permanent resident (PR) sooner.

Are you wanting to immigrate with your family? Discover why Canada is the best place to move to with your family.

Move to Vancouver, Canada - The Application Process

All immigration programs will require you to follow these steps if you are applying for permanent residence in Canada:

• Step 1: Check if you meet the program criteria (and the job requirements) - you can do this with our eligibility assessment.
  
• Step 2: Check your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score - under the Express Entry system or other points-driven programs
  
• Step 3: Gather your documents beforehand and have them ready
  
• Step 4: Create your online Express Entry profile
  
• Step 5: Apply to the most suitable program, pay the application fees, and submit your application
  

You may be interested in learning more about the top three ways to apply for permanent residency here. While you wait for your application to be evaluated, find out more about the Canada visa processing times.

Furthermore, we highly advise applicants to exercise honesty when providing information on their Express Entry profile or application. Applicants should provide the required documents that validate the information on their application. Failure to fill out the forms incorrectly or the incorrect supporting documents will cause a delay in processing times. Should the immigration officer suspect you have been dishonest in the information you've provided, your application will be rejected immediately.

Immigrating needn't be hard with the right guidance and experts on your side. If you're still uncertain about the way forward, contact one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) for the necessary support for your immigration journey today.

Pros and Cons in Vancouver

Pros

• Well-paying salaries with many job opportunities.
  
• There are many transportation options, while Skytrain offers passengers stunning views while traveling in and around the city.
  
• There are many food options since the city caters to every pallet.
  

• It can be relatively expensive compared to the rest of Canada.
  
• Vancouver traffic can make commuting difficult.
  
• The cost of travel and transport could be exorbitant.

FAQs

What is the Easiest Program to Migrate to Canada?

Express Entry would be the most commonly preferred option since it comprises three highly versatile immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Additionally, the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) is ideal for skilled workers looking to immigrate to a Canadian province with a skill shortage.

Is Vancouver a good place to immigrate to?

Yes. Vancouver is a beautiful city with an abundance of opportunities. Those interested in settling in Canada should research the province/territory/region before officially deciding to live and work in Canada. There are unique challenges like any other city or place, so individuals are encouraged to contact our immigration expert for professional advice and guidance.

What are the disadvantages of living in Vancouver?

Every city has challenges, and no city is perfect. Many factors are considered before one can declare a city good or bad. But currently, Vancouver ranks high in many relevant aspects.

What food is Vancouver known for?

Vancouver is known for a variety of tantalizing cuisines. While fairly diverse in food, the city is famous for its seafood dishes, such as oysters, salmon, and sushi. This spectacular city also boasts many restaurants and views you can enjoy while dining at some of the finest upmarket restaurants.

What is the most beautiful part of Vancouver?

Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or foodie, Vancouver has an abundance of upmarket restaurants and scenic routes such as to name a few, Stanley Park, the Vancouver Seawall, Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Lookout, and Chinatown.

What is the best month to visit Vancouver?

Vancouver offers fun-filled activities tailored to all seasons. However, if you're not a Winter person, you can avoid the harsh Winter by visiting the city from March to May and September to November for milder weather.