[Richard]

It's not really the right area I suppose but have you checked out Ladner. There is a nice sense of community. In the summer they have a farmers type market and the people seemed curtious.

[Streaker]

There's a stretch of Kingsway (I think) in Burnaby that's called "Ye Olde Burnaby" or something like that. It was pretty nice and had the look of a village. It's on the east side of Burnaby near New West.

[nomad37]

Richard wrote:

It's not really the right area I suppose but have you checked out Ladner. There is a nice sense of community. In the summer they have a farmers type market and the people seemed curtious.

Hm, no I haven't - thanks. Though that could be a helluva commute. Hey, but I am surprised to see it does have some bus routes and stuff. I'll have a day or two in the area about 3 weeks from now; since I'll be coming from Seattle maybe I'll swing through that community. Trying to find a livable/walkable/commutable community is challenging (oh and affordable too, haha.)

Streaker wrote:

There's a stretch of Kingsway (I think) in Burnaby that's called "Ye Olde Burnaby" or something like that. It was pretty nice and had the look of a village. It's on the east side of Burnaby near New West.

Huh, I've been up and down Kingsway a bit (from I guess metrotown-ish towards downtown), and I didn't find that stretch very happy, but I'll try heading out closer to New West and look for an area like that. Thanks.

On the more general side, I'm sorta wondering what level of thought is put into growth planning, transportation (bike/walk also), community planning, mixed development, etc. in different communities in the greater Vancouver area and maybe Fraser Valley. There's the big-project planning going on for the olympics, but, I'm not sure how people think about this in general especially in the outlying communities. Is it an important issue to people, or overshadowed by other political issues? Any comments/observations welcome.

[nomad37]

lily wrote:

Ladner is great... but I have a slight bias, living next door in Tsawwassen.
This end of town gets a lot more sunshine than the others... particularly Burnaby and North Van.

Ah, good point! The micro climes are something to consider.

Quote:

Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and the other areas you mentioned are very nice, but can have a nasty commute, depending on where you're driving/busing to.

Ya, I was mostly looking those areas assuming work was Burnaby area rather than actually downtown. I'd hope for bus/train access.

Quote:

If you're American - have you considered living in Point Roberts? It's a great community, full of little bungalows (and bigger), and the border isn't too difficult to cross.

Well I'll be! Heh, I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea that place existed! Hm, it's possibly a place I could transition from, since all the stuff a move across the border entails is really intimidating. An impossibly long ways for commuting into Vancouver or Burnaby, but there's always telecommuting part time.... Do people actually commute that??

[carkiwi]

stay away from kingsway especially near new west...it's the ghetto

[nomad37]

lily wrote:

I'm not sure what moving there would entail, as the only access to the Point is via Canada.

Ah, things like, getting my car Canada-approved. No need, register in Washington (?). Less confusion with forwarding mail (it's domestic still). Not freak out my parents.

Quote:

What sort of work do you do that you're thinking of working in either Vancouver or Burnaby?

My day job is in telecommunications.

[Streaker]

This page is all wonky!

[Streaker]

Quote:

Huh, I've been up and down Kingsway a bit (from I guess metrotown-ish towards downtown), and I didn't find that stretch very happy, but I'll try heading out closer to New West and look for an area like that. Thanks. Smile

Yeah Kingsway is pretty dismal, for the most part. I was driving east on it this summer, went past Metrotown and maybe two minutes past Edmonds suddenly the parking lots and strip malls gave way to an old style small town-type "Main Street". It was a pleasant surprise. I think it was in Burnaby but it might have been New West....

Quote:

stay away from kingsway especially near new west...it's the ghetto

Well, I didn't have that impression....

[PluggyRug]

Now you girls/guys have me all confused

[SprCForr]

They are discussing areas within the GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District) and other bedroom community like areas close by.

[TonyCanuck]

coming from North Vancouver I find a huge sense of community here but it does come at a price. Here is a little synposis of some areas in NV:

Deep Cove - beautiful little "town" feeling right on the water on the eastern edge of North Vancouver. You live here and you do not even think you live in the GVRD. I grew up here as a kid.

Lynn Valley - this is near the north east edge of North Vancouver. Close to the mountains, all the amenities, good variety of renting untis, and is very family oriented.

Edgemont Village - near the north end of North Vancouver. The name says it all. A "town" within a city. Close to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano River.

All of North van is whithin 15-20 mins or so of Vancouver and Burnaby. Take a look at this website as it will provide more details about North Vancouver.

http://www.northvancouver.com/

Good luck!

[joeleitz]

I wouldn't recommend Victoria just because it's not easy to get a decent job here. Also, the vacancy rate is less than 1% and rents are high. House prices are also high and food is going up. Personally, I think you would be better off in Vancouver just because there are a lot more employment opportunities there. The Okanagan is beautiful but it's crazy expensive for housing and also the winters are very cold. I would probably move there myself if I could afford it and I could find a good job there because the summers are so nice (hot). Whatever you decide, I hope you find a place that you like. If you want to test the waters in the Okanagan try kelowna vacation rentals - I had a great time there last summer.

[SprCForr]

I guess the date of the thread didn't make much of an impression. It's only been 5 years, maybe PR is still waiting on more responses...

FWIW, Okanagan winters aren't very cold at all.