Experience in Vancouver, Canada by Isabel

What is it like to live in Vancouver? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Vancouver's has become more popular in the past couple of years, and it's very evident as to why that is. The growing city offers just about anything, from an upbeat and busy routine in its contemporary streets, to a calm and relaxing lifestyle in its abundance of nature. If you want to hike up a mountain and go to a concert, you can do both on the same day! Another thing to mention is that the people are very nice and there is a feeling of safety wherever you go. Unlike many other places around the world where you have to hide your valuables and avoid eyecontact with others in the streets, in Vancouver it's actually okay to lend a fellow stranger a smile or two, and there's also no need to worry about pickpockets or being asulted. I can proudly say that Vancouver is one of the safest cities as well as one of the happiest, which is why it's considered the 3rd most livable city in the world.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Vancouver?

Students are usually very happy while living in Vancouver. Aside from the fact that they are well protected by the Canadian government, the lifestyle of a student is in Vancouver is very pleasant. A day in a student's life usually begins bright and early, and every morning you see a handful of students making their way to their rightful destinations. Depending on the length of their studies, in the afternoons students go out with friends or by themselves and simply walk around or visit new places. They always have a content look on their faces, which is inevitable when in Vancouver.

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How much does it cost to live in Vancouver?

I am not going to lie, Vancouver's beauty comes at a cost. Considered the most expensive city in North America, living in Vancouver can be a challenge if you are on a budget. Expenses aren't necessarily on the cheap side, with the cheapest rent coming in at around $1, 500 a month, a meal at a restaurant is $15 and up, and even a pack of 12 eggs costs $4. Did you know that the average Vancouverite spends nearly $100 a week on groceries? Transportation prices also just recently increased, with the monthly fares varying from $53 to $172 depending on your age and zones of travel. However, don't let the prices discourage you. Student housing is usually cheaper than a normal rent, coming in at $500 to $800 on average. Students can also get 10% to 30% discounts in many stores and attractions. It's all a matter of knowing how to manage your money and getting to know the benefits that you can be entitled to. And in the end, the expenses are very worth the beauty of Vancouver.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Vancouver? Is there any advice you can give?

Vancouver receives a lot of students annually, so finding accomodation is not all that complicated. There are many websites online where people publish living offers on a daily basis, but just be careful like you should be with any other website. If you are coming through an exchange program, your school can also help you find accomodation.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Canada in general doesn't really have traditional dishes, and it's not often that you hear someome say, "I ate Canadian food". However, there are restaurants virtually everywhere. As a very multicultural city, Vancouver offers tastes from all over the world, with the most popular being Asian cuisine. Yet if you're just looking for a normal night out, Vancouver has a grand variety of western restaurants as well.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Vancouver?

Vancouver doesn't lack much when it comes to attractions. We have mountains, the sea, the city, you name it. If I had to be specific though, I recommend going to Grouse Mountain. Whether it's by gondola or the localy known 'Grouse Grind' hike up the mountain, the view from the top is magnificent, stretching out all the way to Vancouver Island and parts of the United States. Another thing I recommend is more of an activity rather than a place, but biking around Vancouver is a very good way to see the city. There are paths that take you from central Downtown all the way to the beaches in the western edge, such as English Bay. You will also have a chance to bike on the Seawall, which is a path that goes around Stanley Park and offers great views of Downtown, the mountains, Lions Gate Bridge, and of course, the sea. In the city most roads have bicycle lanes, making it safe to move around by bike.

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Is it good to eat out in Vancouver? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

As mentioned before, there are many options when it comes to eating out in Vancouver. Personally, I tend to lean more towards Downtown Vancouver, which is where more than half of the cities restaurants are. If by chance you ever want delicious and authentic Mexican food, I recommend a place called 'El Patrón Tacos & Cantina' down on Robson Street. I always go there whenever I'm missing my home's dishes because this place is as authentic as you can get. If you are feeling classier, however, I also recommend a place called 'Cactus Club Cafe' which actually has an entire chain of restaurants, so you can find many locations even outside of the Downtown area; but if you have a chance go to the Cactus Club Cafe on Coal Harbour, which is right next to the Olympic Cauldron from the 2010 Winter Games Vancouver hosted. Both of these recommendations have fair pricing in terms of dishes, and on average I spend around $25 in one or the other.

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Is the nightlife good in Vancouver? Where is good to go?

Despite the fact at many places are closed by 10pm, Vancouver's nightlife is actually very lively. Again, most nocturnal activities are located in the Downtown area, but there are bars and clubs that can be found throughout the city as well.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Vancouver?

Just like any other place, Vancouver can be intimidating at the start, especially if it's your first time in the city. Yet in reality, students should not feel concerned, but rather excited. Whether you go to Vancouver to learn English or as part of your program, my advice is to go out and explore as much as you can and live it to the fullest. Don't be afraid to roam and get lost in the streets, go enjoy the natural beauty and breathe in the fresh air! If you're worried about making friends don't be, it's very easy to get to know people as it is a very multicultural society. Enjoy Vancouver, because once you get to know it you'll see that there is really no other place like it.