Since we moved to Canada and started our working holiday in Vancouver we have moved around between a number of places. We started in a cute studio airbnb in North Vancouver then to a lovely basement flat in Burnaby and we are just about to finish housesitting in an apartment in Yaletown. We were only in North Vancouver for 2 weeks while we got set up so our next place is going to be another basement suite in North Vancouver so we can explore Grouse Mountain and learn to snowboard!!!
Each part of Vancouver has its own special feel, Burnaby is much more family orientated with plenty of parks and local schools. We loved staying at our place in Burnaby and our host was wonderful. The only really scary thing was the skytrain. This is the local train system that takes you into the heart of downtown. Its fast, regular and clean. The scary element is that you are two or so stories above ground and there is no side railing. Its somewhat like riding a rollercoaster as it turns and goes up and down. This can be very daunting when it makes funny noises and is packed with people on their daily commute. Some of the turns literally make you feel like you are going to fall out of the train. That being said the beauty of being high and not surrounded by railing is that you have an uninterrupted view of the suburbs and mountains. It is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
Burnaby also holds the biggest shopping centre we have ever been to. Its called Metrotown and is three stories tall. Our favourite shop on this monster retail complex is an awesome bookshop called Chapters. It sells all the books you would like as well as great accessories like large coffee/tea mugs and reading socks to keep your nice and warm. It also houses a Starbucks in the middle of the shop which reminded us of when Borders used to be in the Perth CBD. And while we were overwhelmed by all the shopping opportunities it was nice to have a spot to unwind and rest our feet.
We have spent the last month in Yaletown which is in the heart of downtown. Our apartment is super cute , cosy and has all the amenities we needed. Being able to walk to our jobs each day without having to wait in the rain for buses or trains has been so nice. It has also be great to be able to go out for nice pub meal at a different spot each time we leave the apartment and know we are less then 10 minutes walk home. The down side has been access to fresh food as all the IGAs and the like are quite small with not much selection of meat and vegetables. That being said they all do great chicken nuggets which we have been eating on a regular basis!
Another positive thing about Yaletowns proximity to everything was our ability to go ice-skating and see the New Years Eve fireworks and festival without having to crowd onto very VERY full public transport.
All in all we have thoroughly enjoyed these two parts of Vancouver so far and look forward to living and exploring the north shore and surrounding mountains soon.
Comments