For a more detailed break down, and more up to date, you can read here about average rent prices in Canada: www.zumper.com/blog/rental-price-data-canada/
There are less expensive areas in Vancouver such as Marpole, Hastings Sunrise and Killarney, but they're never talked about because they're not as pretty, although Hastings Sunrise has its charm. These areas are far from Downtown but have good bus transit. Not living/rent related: I would highly recommend you venture further east from the Gastown edge in the Railtown area, which is a historic industrial section of the larger Japantown which is now lumped in with the Downtown Eastside (DTES). There are some amazing places to eat and drink such as Alibi Room, Cuchillo, Ask for Luigi, Belgard Kitchen, St Lawrence... the list goes on. If you go even further east to the Grandview area there are a bunch of amazing microbreweries all down Powell St. Of course, if the DTES makes you feel uncomfortable than don't go, but I've found most of the chaos is on East Hastings St between Carrall St and Dunlevy Ave. Also Japantown has the Powell Street Festival in the summer which is nice to go to if you want to learn about the history of Japantown and eat some tasty Asian street food.
I’m so glad you discovered Mole Hill! And that walkway is a bit of a secret, born and raised here and only discovered it last year. I live in the Westend, right in the middle, a 5-10 minute walk to everything, including two grocery stores, drugstores, and countless independent restaurants and shops. Housing is expensive, that 1.5 million you quote doesn’t even really consider the house that might be on it, you’re paying for the dirt, the house is either a fixer upper, or a tear down.
Loved Mole Hill. & you’re absolutely right! I can’t believe people pay that for just land, and then build a house on it that costs way more than that, yet it’s just a big standard house 😂😭 I loved the west end ❤️
Hey Jack. Enjoying your vids here and tiktok 😊 I’m in Scotland but visited Canada few times as friend emigrated. Have to say Vancouver most disappointing city of places been. Maybe cos so hyped up and always top of the ‘best places’ lists was expecting too much. I found Toronto vibe much more friendly and great neighbourhoods. Banff/Jasper impressed me more scenery wise. And never seen so visible a drug&homelessness problem-just a couple of blocks from touristy waterfront areas. Vancouver Island was much nicer imo and not far- know you don’t have car but I got coach and ferry to Victoria so maybe an option for visit?
Hey! Thank you! Vancouver is a bit of a disappointment, and a lot different from what you’re sold and told. It’s hard living here, too. Yeah, would love to visit the island! It’s just the cost of ferry and accommodation that puts me off
Hi Jack. I've been following your videos for a while now and they are always a great watch! I got granted an IEC visa last August and am still deciding on whether or not to take the plunge. One of the thing I'm trying to decide on is Toronto or Vancouver. Vancouver looks such an amazing place!
If you’re like me, you’ll get to one place and still think of the other! Depending on your job and what you want from the experience, you can do one year in each. The main thing is doing what you’d like to do
@@JackStrange Thanks for replying Jack, much appreciated. I work in retail as a manager. Vancouver just looks scary expensive. But the idea of doing a year in each has not crossed my mind, but what a great idea.
Can you talk more about the crime and safety aspect? I know that it feels not nice to talk badly about a place but for those of us who are planning to move, it’s good to have the brutal truth of what to expect / be careful of. I know no city is 100% safe, of course.
It's mostly safe. Every city has its crime and danger. There were a few random attacks when we were there, some fatal. The most shocking was a killing in broad daylight right outside a downtown Starbucks. Vancouver has a homeless problem, and mostly they keep to themselves when you see them, but it can be worrying to see people so openly struggling and nobody helping. Sometimes they shout, other times they might say something to you. I never felt 100% safe but I also didn't feel like it was crime central. I think I noticed the crime aspects more because I worked in news and every day there was something.
