Nursing in B.C.

I've lived and worked in both places. My rent in Toronto was a little more expensive, but I also made a little less money so it evened out. Vancouver is getting more and more expensive. I'm sure things will get really bad when the Olympics come... I really like Vancouver and I will definitely move back there when I return to Canada, not Toronto.

We're thinking of moving from Ontario to B.C. and I was curious to hear about your nursing experiences in B.C. We're thinking about Vancouver but certainly up for looking at other places too. I have heard that rent is pricey...is it comparable to rent in Toronto or more expensive?

Betty

I live in the lower mainland, but not right in Vancouver. The farther out you go toward the Fraser Valley, the cheaper rents and house prices tend to become. Prices have been steadily increasing over the last few years, and as Fergus mentioned, the winter olympics in four years will help to increase prices, at least in the short term. Although if anything happens and interest rates jump, you know what that'll do to the housing market!

The two largest health authorities are Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health... http://www.vch.ca/ and http://www.fraserhealth.ca/Home/Default.htm

...but of course there are other openings as well. I do not think you will have any problem finding employment! Good luck!

Have you thought about Vancouver Island? It depends on what you are looking for, small town or the larger cities. I'm currently in Victoria, I have enjoyed my time here but we are currently planning a move to Ottawa. Kelowna is another good option, we spend our summers near the lake, other then the odd forest fires it a great place.

Have you thought about Vancouver Island? It depends on what you are looking for, small town or the larger cities. I'm currently in Victoria, I have enjoyed my time here but we are currently planning a move to Ottawa. Kelowna is another good option, we spend our summers near the lake, other then the odd forest fires it a great place.

Kelowna's a fabulous little city ... The four seasons playground...skiing, skating, hockey, snowmobiling, swimming, skidooing, houseboating, camping, boating, sailing, fishing, golfing, etc.etc.etc! Just get a/c for the summer, winters aren't too bad compared to back east or the prairies, the city is not huge, but expanding...but housing can be exensive depending on where you live. Love it in the Okanagan Valley.

We live in Toronto now and we're hoping to move to one of the larger cities in B.C. We're getting tired of the increasing gun violence in Toronto and B.C. is so beautiful. The nursing job fair is coming to Toronto so I'll probably go to that and speak to some of the recruiters from B.C.

Thanks for your responses!

B.C. sure is a beautiful place (I am from "back East" and would never live there again). We got it all...mountains, beautiful climate (and alot of rain), oceans....I could go on. However, we have our share of violence here and it is worsening....I have had to move waaaaaaay far away, in order to afford a house, which means a commute....

Lotsa nursing jobs, though!

Sort of on the same topic - I have been offered a job at BC Womens & Childrens and will be moving up from Oregon in August. I would like to be able to commute easily, and prefereably without a car, and we will need to rent at first. We have 2 dogs... Does anyone have any suggestions of areas to look in that would be commutable and dog-friendly?

Most landlords don't like two dogs or if they do they like a large damage deposit.

Which shifts will you be working? That's important if you plan on using public transit. I seem to recall the bus service around there is pretty good, but you will more than likely have to have at least one transfer.

I like the North Shore, but its expensive, you'd need at least an hour to get anywhere by transit. (To seabus, seabus, then bus to hospital) Oh, and Seabus has some pretty strange stop/start times.

Anyways good luck in the house search. I have a four level split on a big lot for what I'd pay for a one bedroom condo in Vancouver. Used to be home, but now its where my Mum lives....

Richmond would likely be a good commute for you. There are express buses and the skytrain is being extended to Richmond. Will cross the Fraser River and come down Cambie which is within walking distance of Children and Women's.

There are lots of older residential areas that you might want to consider on the East Side of Vancouver, Commercial Drive, Mount Pleasant, Champlain Heights, also further out in Burnaby.

Try this website to get an idea of rents and what is available.

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/

Good luck! I moved to Vancouver 3 years ago and love it here!

Richmond would likely be a good commute for you. There are express buses and the skytrain is being extended to Richmond. Will cross the Fraser River and come down Cambie which is within walking distance of Children and Women's.

There are lots of older residential areas that you might want to consider on the East Side of Vancouver, Commercial Drive, Mount Pleasant, Champlain Heights, also further out in Burnaby.

Try this website to get an idea of rents and what is available.

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/

Good luck! I moved to Vancouver 3 years ago and love it here!

Thanks canuckeh!

I've been keeping an eye on craigs list, even though I don't think we'll be moving for a few more months. The only area I've been told to stay away from in Surrey. I was wondering about Richmond, but I couldn't figure out how easy it would be to get to work, so it's good to know about the bus and future skytrain. My 14 yo might actually forgive us for moving that far away from the city if she would be able to take the skytrain in! Of course, we still have to find someone who will let us bring our dogs... but we've always found something!

There already are express buses in from Richmond so it is only about a 20-30 minute commute.

Surrey gets a bad rap. There are many nice residential subdivision areas of Surrey- only one area that is more troubled with drugs, prostitution, crime etc- Every big city has an area like that. The real trouble with Surrey is the time that it takes for the commute. There is Skytrain right to Broadway and Commercial but you would then have to connect to a bus for the rest of the route. Likely would be bus, skytrain , then another bus -both ways.

Richmond has all the stores that your daughter would find in downtown Vancouver. Being single, I live right downtown(the Westend) as I choose not to do the commute, but I have a feeling you will want more space than an apartment would provide.

I had to laugh when you called Champlain Heights an older established neighbourhood -- I remember when most of the condos there were built and the Bay was the big store at Champlain Mall.

Commercial Drive isn't what it was when I was younger -- no longer family, Italian centred.

Vancouver just isn't the place I grew up in, I'm just feeling very old.

Wasn't Surrey the car theft capital of North America a few years back?

I remember a bumper sticker that said "Living in Richmond, mean you never have to say your from Surrey".