Home  Features The immigrant's guide to Vancouver
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The immigrant's guide to Vancouver |
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By Paul Beddows » Thinking of moving to Vancouver? Here's a primer
that new immigrants (or anyone new to Vancouver) will find useful.
I have given a brief description on some of the areas of Vancouver and
their assets and liabilities. I have rated commuting to downtown on a
scale of 1 to 5 with easy access by car or transit as a 1, and
difficult as a 5. Car access does not take into account the difficulty
you may have in finding parking. (not to mention the expense).
I have also tried to give an indication of the racial mix of some
neighbourhoods. This is not being done from a racist point of view, but
most immigrants feel more comfortable settling in an area where there are a
lot of their former countrymen, especially if language barriers have to
be dealt with.
When I refer to crime rates, I mean property crime. Most of Vancouver
has a low crime rate, especially when compared to American cities, but
property crime (break-ins) are becoming a problem in some areas. These
are generally crimes of opportunity and usually occur when homes are
vacant and do not involve violence.
New immigrants should also look for the most current map of the Vancouver Rapid
Transit System and proposed future routes, which may help you decide
where to live.
As far as air quality is concerned, the further east you go, the worse
it gets. Vancouver itself has ocean breezes which blows all the car
exhaust and other pollutants up the Fraser Valley towards Abbotsford
and Chilliwack.
The Washington State government has just approved a new power
generating plant fuelled by fossil fuel just below the border near
Abbotsford. This will pump several extra tons a day of garbage into the
air on the Canadian side of the border. Thank you, Governor Locke, why
don't you pollute your own state?
Earthquakes, floods & other risks:
A large portion of Vancouver lies within the flood plain of the Fraser
river, one of North America's major waterways. In 1948 a high snow pack
followed by a warm summer put most of the low lying areas of the city
under water. Especially hard hit was Richmond (site of the airport)
which lies on reclaimed land and is actually below sea level in many
areas. Despite extensive dikes around vulnerable areas, it is only a
matter of time until this happens again. For this reason, I would avoid
purchasing any property in these areas.
Vancouver is atop of the world's most dangerous earthquake zone, the so
called ring of fire, which circles the Pacific Rim. Several dormant
volcanoes lie with a few hundred kilometres of the city, the closet
being Mt. Baker and the most dangerous being Mt. Ranier, which is a
serious threat to Seattle/Tacoma.
Both volcanoes erupted some time shortly before the arrival of the
white man in the area and both are well overdue for another. Minor
quakes of 2 or 3 on the Richter scale are common in Vancouver and are
seldom even felt.
Vancouver lies over what is known as a subduction fault. These are
actually the most dangerous faults in terms of catastrophic
earthquakes, although major quakes only happen every few hundred years.
Unfortunately, we are long overdue. Geological evidence shows a huge
quake occurred shortly before the arrival of the white man in the area.
From geological evidence and Indian accounts, it may have been as large
as 9 on the Richter scale.
Most structures in Vancouver are designed to handle large quakes, and
older structures & bridges are being upgraded. All skyscrapers
built in the last 15 years or so are designed to withstand a strong
quake, and fortunately the downtown core is on quite solid ground.
Most residential construction in Vancouver is wood frame, probably the
best to withstand a quake. Once again, the most vulnerable areas are
those on the flood plain, where the high water content of the soil is
likely to lead to a phenomenon known as liquefaction. This is where the
ground literally turns to liquid. Richmond, South Delta (Ladner) and
some areas of the Fraser Valley are most at risk.
Insurance against earthquakes is essential in Vancouver. It will add about 50% to the cost of house insurance.
Vancouver has had one hurricane - actually a typhoon because it's in
the Pacific (Hurricane Frieda). It did a fair bit of damage. There has
never been a tornado.
AREAS
Downtown:
The last few years have seen the development of housing in the
downtown core, usually in the form of high rise apartment buildings,
often with the lower floors as business space. Some old buildings and
warehouses have also been developed into loft style apartments.
West End:
This area is a high density area located between the downtown core and
Stanley Park. It consists mainly of high rise apartment buildings, a
mix of rental and owned. The area has a large gay population, but is
not exclusively so. It is a relatively safe area. The ethnic mix is in
about the same proportion to the overall mix of the city. A lot of
single people live here. Close to beaches, Stanley Park, easy walking
distance to downtown.
- Commuter rating: 1 for car and transit.
Kitsilano:
This area is located on the south side of Creek Creek opposite the West
End. It is generally an upscale area with a mix of single family homes
and low rise apartment buildings. Good access to beaches and easy
biking distance to downtown. Low crime rate. No particular ethnic
flavour.
- Commuter rating: 1 for car and transit.
Downtown Eastside:
This area to the east of downtown and north of Hastings St. is what
most people would call Skid Row. The area is quite depressed with a low
income population a high crime rate. This is also an area of cheap
prostitutes and drug addicts.
- Commuter rating: 1 for car (if it's not stolen) and transit.
Chinatown (Strathcona):
This area just east of the city and north of the Downtown East Side is
home to many of Vancouver's 3rd and 4th generation Chinese. The nouveau
Oriental immigrants tend to gravitate to the southern suburb of
Richmond. The area has a medium crime rate due to its proximity to less
desirable areas.
East End:
The encompasses the remainder of the Eastside out to the Burnaby
border. It has a wide ethnic mix with a Mediterranean emphasis. A lot
of Italians, Yugoslavs, etc. have gravitated to this area in the past..
Mainly single family homes on small lots or older low rise apartments.
- Commuter rating: 2 for car and transit.
Southside / Kerrisdale:
Generally middle class to upper middle class area located due south of
the city between False Creek and the Fraser River. Contains some very
wealthy neighbourhoods. No particular ethic flavour. No particular
crime problem. mainly single family homes, some low rise apartments.
Large East Indian population in the Main St. & 49th Ave. area.
(Note to our readers from India: People from the subcontinent are known
as East Indians, as opposed to Aboriginals, who are known as Indians).
- Commuter rating: 2 for car and transit.
Point Grey / Dunbar /Shaughnessy:
High income area located between Kitsilano and the University of BC and
south to the Fraser River. No particular ethnic group. Low crime rate.
- Commuter rating: 2 for car 3 for transit.
All the above are the major neighbourhoods in Vancouver City itself.
There are others, visit the City of Vancouver website for a description
of the rest.
Next, we'll explore the suburbs.
West Vancouver:
The wealthiest area in Canada. Located on the north shore across
Burrard Inlet from Stanley Park and westward to Howe Sound. Low crime
rate. Mainly single family homes, but some high rise apartments along
the eastern beach front. Along with North Vancouver, the rainiest part
of the city.
- Commuter rating: 3 for car and transit.
North Vancouver:
Located on the opposite side of the harbour from downtown and eastward
to Indian Arm. Areas vary from middle income to high income. Low crime
rate, no particular ethnic mix. Mainly single family homes. Public
transit to downtown by ferry. Along with West Vancouver, the wettest
area of the city due to its proximity to the mountains.
- Commuter rating: 3 for car and transit.
Burnaby:
Middle class area located to the east of the city. Large municipality.
Medium crime rate. No particular ethnic mix. Good access to downtown by
transit, Skytrain lines service both the north and south parts of the
municipality. Mainly single family homes and low rise apartments,
except for Metrotown area which has high rise apartment buildings.
- Commuter rating: 2 for car and transit.
New Westminster:
Older area located to the east of Burnaby, good access to downtown on
transit. Some new high-rise development taking place in the vicinity of
New Westminster Quay. Medium crime rate. Mainly older single family
homes.
- Commuter rating: 3 for car, 2 for transit.
Surrey:
Large sprawling suburb located on the east side of the Fraser River and
extending down to the US border. The character of this area varies
greatly. North Surrey has good transit access to downtown (30 minutes).
Generally low to middle income and a high crime rate. Housing ranges
from high rise apartments to single family homes. Mixed ethnically.
- Commuter rating: 4 for car, 3 for transit.
Surrey (central):
The middle part of Surrey, known as Newton has a high East Indian
Population, less crime than the north, and is mainly single family
housing. All income levels represented.
- Commuter rating: 4 for car and transit.
Surrey (south):
The south part of Surrey is mainly high income, single family homes (a
lot of 1/2 million to 3/4 million dollar homes) or newer apartment
buildings. Low crime rate, no particular ethnic mix. Along with
Tsawwassen and White Rock, the sunniest area of the city.
- Commuter rating: 4 for car and transit.
White Rock:
Small seaside municipality adjacent to South Surrey. Generally middle
to high income area. The latest "in-place" to be for the Yuppie set. I
live here myself, actually, but when I moved here it was one of the
cheaper areas to buy a house. New bridges and better access have
changed all that, now its one of the most expensive areas. Most housing
is on the South Surrey side (see above). Low crime rate. Sunniest part
of the city. Pleasant beach areas, here, and also in the neighbouring
community of Crescent Beach.
- Commuter rating: 4 for car and transit.
Cloverdale:
Although officially, it is part of Surrey, Cloverdale is a distinct
small town with a distinctly Western flavour. This is the place to look
for Western garb or a saddle for your horse. Cloverdale is home to the
Cloverdale Rodeo, Canada's largest after the Calgary Stampede. It is
held on the Victoria Day weekend. Cloverdale is also where the TV
series Smallville is filmed (Superman as a boy).
- Commuter rating: 4 for transit.
Coquitlam:
Large suburb located to the Northeast along the north side of the
Fraser River. Middle to higher income. Medium crime rate. A mix of
single family homes and apartments. Large Chinese population in some
areas of the municipality.
Commuter rating: 4 for car and transit.
Port Coquitlam:
Community adjacent to Coquitlam, but a little to the east. Commuter
train access to downtown. Will be near a new Skytrain route by 2011.
Port Moody:
Small community located at the head of Burrard Inlet just west of
Coquitlam. This used to be a run down area, but is now becoming quite
pleasant and upscale despite the presence of industry along the inlet
nearby. The city is distinguished by having its own police force, one
of the smallest in Canada. Commuter train access to downtown, will be
on a new Skytrain route by 2010-2011.
Richmond:
Large sprawling suburb located south of the city, south of the Fraser
River. Flat as a pancake and slightly below sea level (dikes). Very
large oriental population. Most of the newer Chinese immigrants settle
here. Low crime rate. Mainly single family homes and low rise
apartments. This suburb will be toast if the big earthquake hits. Its
susceptible to liquefaction, due to the high water content of its soil.
I wouldn't live there. I have had it pointed out to me that the
community of Steveston which is located in the southwest corner of
Richmond is distinct from the rest of the community. This is quite
true.
- Commuter rating: 3 for car and transit.
Note: The Skytrain Rapid Transit system will be extended to Richmond and the Airport in 2009 in time for the 2010 Olympics.
North Delta:
Area adjacent to Surrey west of 120th Street. Similar to Surrey with a
high East Indian population. Middle Class, low crime rate.
- Commuter rating: 4 for car and transit.
South Delta / Ladner / Tsawwassen:
Located south of Richmond, between the south arm of the Fraser River
and Semiahmoo Bay (US Border). Upper income area. reasonable transit
access to downtown. No particular ethnic mix. Low crime rate. Along
with White Rock, the sunniest area of the city.
- Commuter rating: 4 for car and transit.
Point Roberts:
This is actually in the USA, but it is only accessible from Canada and
is attached to the same Peninsular as Tsawassen above. The residents
are largely Canadian and the border is very relaxed. This is a good
place to live if you are American and want to live in Vancouver, but
can't get immigrant status.
Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows:
Large suburb located well east of the city along the north bank of the
Fraser (east of Coquitlam). Middle class, mainly single family housing.
Access to downtown by commuter train. Low crime rate.
- Commuter rating: 5 for car, 4 for transit.
Langley:
Large semi-rural suburb located east of Surrey and encompassing an area
from the Fraser River to the US border. Middle income, low to medium
crime rate.
- Commuter rating: 5 for car and transit.
Ft. Langley:
This is not the same as the area above, it it further north on the
banks of the Fraser River. Ft. Langley is actually the oldest inhabited
area of the city. The town itself is very quaint and artsy. The main
population of the area actually lives in Walnut Grove a couple of miles
to the west of the village.
- Commuter rating: 5 for car, 4 for transit.
Related: Accommodation in Vancouver and area
About the author: UK-born
Paul
Beddows is a long term Vancouver resident. Retired from the phone
company, he is president of the North American Truck Camper Owners
Association (NATCOA) and teaches English to new immigrants in his spare
time.
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