Q: We're moving to Vancouver from the UK next year under the skilled worker programme. We are a family of 4 (we have 2 girls 11 next yr and 1 next yr) I have various questions that I cant seem to find the answer to on the Internet. What is the best and worst areas? What is the average price for childcare? What is the average price of travel (bus travel, train or which ever public transport etc) Average price of food from the supermarket? Any help would be appreciated.
A: Best Area: North Shore for upscale housing. But prices are high. However, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam are the best for being able to get around Vancouver so that you can avoid the bridges that cause the traffic back ups. Worst Area: Central downtown - lots of crime, street people and drugs on Hastings street. Burnaby is also not really a nice place to live. Child care: Try this website: http://www.vch.ca/environmental/licensing/daycare/childcare.htm Travel: Local Vancouver transit can be found here: http://www.translink.bc.ca/default.asp Food: The majority of groceries are found in Save-on, Safeway, IGA, Extra Foods, Superstore, however local markets in your area are good. It's fun to go to Granville Island for a Saturday market - tons of stuff to do there. Milk average price - Gallon - 4.00. Bread average price - 2.00 to 3.00. Butter average price - 4.00. China Town has lots of really great stores and foods that you can't get anywhere else. There are many ethnic areas throughout the city that you can get specific foods. But for British items there are Marks and Spencer or go to Victoria on Vancouver Island where the Brits live in abundance. This website offers some of the grocery stores: http://www.userinstinct.com/bc/vancouver/8529791-grocery-stores-supermarkets.htm Hope this helps.