Many immigrants know that finding accommodation is one of the primary tasks one needs to have sorted out before or after they arrive in Canada. Having a comfortable and long-term place to live on reaching Canada will help you have a base for settling and searching for jobs, navigating the education system as well as finding a better location for settling permanently. Cost related to accommodation makes up the maximum part of the monthly expenses of immigrants and newcomers in Canada. This makes it very important to have a budget to stick to at the beginning of your stay in Canada as well as control over spending while also looking for job opportunities and a home. For those immigrants who wish to settle in the province of British Columbia, this article will give you an idea about finding long-term as well as short-term accommodation in the city of Vancouver.
Budget Stay Options For Short Term
Upon your arrival in Canada, you will have to find somewhere you can stay at once and get settled. If you do not have family or friends in the country who can house you for a while already living in the city of Vancouver, you will have to find short-term accommodation that is suitable for your needs. This accommodation will be temporary, mostly serve as your home for two to three weeks to maybe a few months, and it may not require you to sign a lease to stay there. In general, short-term accommodations are less costly compared to staying in a hotel in Vancouver. The city offers different types of short-term accommodations to newcomers. The types of short-term accommodations you can find in the city of Vancouver as a newcomer are listed below:
1. Serviced Apartment
Mostly referred to as an apartment hotel, a serviced apartment is similar to having your apartment. These are available for a short period of time, mostly one month and more, in apartment buildings or as a part of a hotel. The main advantage a serviced apartment offers is that it is cheaper than having to stay in a suite of the same comfort level.
These apartments come with different options, with the count of bedrooms ranging from 1-3. The apartment will mostly include a kitchen that is well-stocked, towels and bedding, and laundry facilities will also be available. You can also have access to other benefits such as a swimming pool or an indoor gym depending on which building your apartment is in. Service companies providing individual apartments such as Airbnb, Trivago, and Kayak can be used to search for a serviced apartment in Vancouver that best suits your needs.
2. Hostel
Many people view hostels as being for the youth, but that idea is quickly changing. Hostelling International in Canada has under it 51 hostels that span across the county and also include 16 hotels in the province of British Columbia. Three of these hotels are located in Vancouver. A person of any age can make use of the benefits that are offered by hostels.
Rooms can be available for private housing or for sharing among 4 people, which is useful when travelling as a couple or with family. Hostels are not only cheaper than a hotel room for the same duration, hostels are often located in the downtown area of the city, also allowing you access to a kitchen and a living area. This also can serve as an opportunity to meet new people in the city.
3. Shared Accommodation
Another option you can consider is shared accommodation for the long term. This can serve as a great opportunity to have stability and share your accommodation making it economical while you keep up the search for a more permanent home. In shared accommodation, you will have your bedroom, but share the living area, kitchen, and bathroom with your tenants. Shared accommodation can be found through advertisements posted online or through online sites.
4. University Residence
Immigrants arriving in Canada as newcomers can also opt for University and college accommodations in the spring or summer months. In general, residences meant for students remain empty from the month of May to mid-august. This is because at that time the university term is over and students are on a break. The accommodation can be booked by students taking classes in the summer, travellers, or visitors, but they have to do so through the residence and housing department of the university.
The rooms offered thus are generally clean and modern, contain two or three-bedroom suites, and have a bathroom and kitchen attached. The accommodation is made available on a weekly or monthly basis and has all-day-round security. If you wish for such accommodation, you will have to contact the colleges and universities in the province of British Columbia or make a booking.
Budget Stay Options For Long Term Or Permanent Housing
Vancouver is a popular city among newcomers to Canada because of its mountains, beaches, and forest trails. The city also has the most ethnically diverse community. The price of accommodations in Vancouver is higher than in other cities in Canada, the rent for any one-bedroom apartment currently averages around $1940. Listed below are some of the affordable long-term accommodations that you can choose from:
1. Victoria-Fraserview
Located in the southern downtown of the city, on the South slope of the Fraser River, this area is home to many ethnic groups, with large groups of Indians and Chinese communities as well as green spaces. The rent here averages around $1624 for a single-bedroom apartment, and the houses are mostly duplexes, but small apartments and single-family homes are also available. The most commonly sought accommodations in this area include the 2400 Motels and the Cassandra Hotel.
2. Kitsilano
This is the name given to the area that is on the west side of the city, located along the south shore of English Bay. This was once a well-known hippy hangout and is now popular among young families as well as students. The neighbourhood has many cafes, and restaurants as well as independent and is also located near the ocean. The area contains a mix of single-family homes, apartments, townhouses as well as modern condos, with the rent for a one-bedroom apartment being averaged to$1775.
3. Sunset
Located in the south downtown region of Vancouver, this area is also known as the hub of Indo-Canadian people due to the presence of ethnically diverse communities as well as high-quality restaurants and vibrant shopping areas. This area primarily has accommodation such as single-family houses, small apartments as well as duplexes. The rent here for a one-bedroom apartment is averaged around $1275.
4. Lynnmour South
This area is located in the southern region of Vancouver and the northeastern part of the downtown core of the city. This area offers its residents and host of outdoor activities and also boasts to be the home of Capilano University. The accommodations offered in this area mainly consist of condominiums, single-family homes, and townhouses, with the rent averaging around $1638 for single-bedroom apartments.
5. Fairview
This area is located on the western side of the city of Vancouver and boasts to be the home of Granville Island. The place is also famous for the presence of the South Granville shopping area which is decorated with cafes, restaurants, and upscale shopping stores. The area offers accommodation in the form of townhouses, condominiums, houses for single families, and apartments, with the average rent for a single-bedroom apartment being around $1750.
Searching For Long-term Accommodation In Vancouver
If you by now have gained an idea of what neighbourhood you would like to be residing in during your stay in Vancouver, you can start looking for long-term accommodations that suit the needs of you as well as your family members. Here is a list of places to search and how to make the best use of these resources.
Online
The selection of accommodations available online is vast, with various designs and prices to help you find the best long-term accommodations for you. Listed here are some of the popular sites used by immigrants in their search for a permanent home in Canada.
- Airbnb: If you wish to find long-term accommodations, a large number of options are available on Airbnb. It helps you search for the exact neighbourhood you wish to reside in, decide the time period of your stay in the place and also choose the number of family members or guests and children who will be staying in the same home and then find the accommodation accordingly. It can also help you find accommodations that may allow pets. The site also gives the user access to photographs of the place and lists the amenities available. You can also view the reviews of people who have used that accommodation before and use them to make a decision.
- PadMapper: This is the name of an online search site that is designed so that you can have an easy time with your apartment hunting. The search tool on the site will let you select from a range of rent prices that you want to pay, the number of bedrooms the accommodation should have to suit your needs, and if the duration of your stay is long-term or short-term. The tool also includes a map that will let you narrow down or broaden the area of your search.
- Kijiji: This is the name of a service that has online advertisements. It is used by Canadians to post a classified advertisement about accommodations, jobs, or cars they wish to buy, sell, or trade. The site is available for use by anyone who wishes to post an ad about long-term accommodation. The site will also contain information regarding the utilities available and how long a person has had their ad posted on the site. The site is not only popular among Canadians it is also a great tool for searching the rental and leasing market and discovering any current availability. Many people have experienced or been warned about scams that can take place through online ads. For the protection of the users, it is advised to not make any payment till they have themselves seen the accommodation. A transaction does not always have to be face-to-face. Kijiji is also hosting helpful guidelines to avoid scams and fraud as well as how to safeguard yourself during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Craigslist: This site also hosts ads for various accommodations that may be available in the city or anywhere in Canada. The site can be used by newcomers to look up accommodation for temporary use during their initial stay in the city, and they also have the option to post an ad themselves about what they ideally wish for in accommodation. If you are using this site for searching for accommodation, you must also be varied and protect yourself against potential scams and frauds, do not make a commitment or payment before seeing the property and the payment when made should be completed through a protected and secure means of transaction.
Word Of Mouth
If you have family members living in Vancouver, or friends or work colleagues, they can serve as a source for finding long-term accommodation. Before arriving, let them know that you wish to find a place in the city and ask them to be on the lookout for any opportunity they may hear about. Make use of your network to help you find yourself a permanent home in the city of Vancouver.
Community Services
Many towns and cities in Canada have organizations that are there for helping newcomers. One of the ways this help is offered is by helping you find a suitable house to live in. Check if there is such a service available and take advantage of it as it is free and confidential.
Realtors
If you already know that you wish to have long-term accommodation in the form of an apartment or a rental home, you can connect with a realtor. The benefit of this is that you will be made aware of any newly available rentals before they are made available to the rest of the public because the realtor will be able to earn a commission by serving you first. It not only helps you find accommodation, but you can also work with the realtor to explore long-term or permanent housing needs.
Walking Around
If there is a neighbourhood in Vancouver that you wish to reside in, then one way you can find accommodation for your long-term or short-term stay is by walking around the neighbourhood. Notice will be issued if shared accommodation of any kind or an apartment is available in local cafes, or a sign can be put outside the property itself.
Tips For Finding Budget Accommodation In Vancouver
It can be easy to find a place to live but the real challenge is finding a place for a long-term stay that suits your budget. Here are some tips to help you find the right place to live in Vancouver:
1. Negotiating
You may have found the right place for your long-term stay in the neighbourhood that you like, but the price is over the budget you have set. If it is rent to be paid monthly, try to negotiate for the long-term stay, or ask if the price can be reduced if you pay the full amount upfront for the stay of one month or so. Covid-19 has also affected the rental and real estate market, leading to a drop in the price of rents and real estate in some major cities of Canada, making this the right time to use your negotiation skills. The answer can be a no, but it does not hurt to ask respectfully and confidently.
2. Searching In Winter Or Late Fall
Most migrants move to Canada during the spring or summer months. This is when universities are opening or families want to settle down before their kids begin their school terms in September. This means increased competition for you or limited options when it comes to finding budget accommodations. If you search during fall or winter, the demand is low and hence you will easily be able to find suitable accommodation.
3. Considering Other Expenses
Even though accommodation can be the biggest part of a budget, when you wish to find suitable long-term accommodation in the city of Vancouver you will have to take into account other expenses such as transportation as well. A cheap place in a suburb will become expensive if you have to pay substantial costs for using public transport to get to work every day. You will also have to take into account other bills such as electricity, gas and other utilities that may not be included in the rent, as well as the cost of internet and parking.
Finding suitable long-term and short-term accommodation is indeed a very important step when immigrating to Canada. To maximize success in this regard, you should research the market ahead of time. This will give you a profound base when you arrive in Vancouver to begin your new life.
