Vancouver, The Pearl Of The West Coast

Ideally located between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains of the Coast Mountains. Canada's third largest megalopolis with 2 million inhabitants, it is the economic capital of the province of British Columbia. Vancouver's quality of life and exceptional natural environment make it one of the world's most liveable cities (the Economist - June 2009), yet with the highest cost of living in Canada. The city enjoys a mild and humid ocean climate with many rainfalls in autumn-winter and a very pleasant spring-summer weather to enjoy the many outdoor activities. 2010 was a landmark year for Vancouver as the city hosted the Winter Olympic Games.

Residents

The people of Vancouver are laid-back, friendly, easy to engage in conversation and have a great civil sense. They are of course hockey fans and spend most of their free time outdoors to indulge in activities such as skiing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, camping or hiking. Most of them are sport and nature buffs. The local culture is also centered around yoga - a kind of national sport here! - as well as countless "coffee shops" and Japanese restaurants. A cosmopolitan, 125-year-old city, Vancouver is home to a wealth of immigrants, largely made up of an Asian-born population (40%) that influences many economic sectors and offers one of the continent's largest Chinatowns.

Housing

There are many good neighborhoods in Vancouver. For city devotees, downtown or Yaletown are perfect for getting around on foot or by bike. The West End, located closer to the green lung of the city - Stanley Park -, is a good compromise to be quiet and enjoy a little more nature. Gastown is more touristy but rather typical with its cobblestone streets and enjoys proximity to Chinatown. On the south side of the downtown peninsula are many liveable neighborhoods: Kitsilano trendy, bohemian and close to the beach, Point Gray close to the University of British Columbia, Fairview near Broadway and the Granville Market or Main Street and Commercial Drive recognized for their cultural and culinary assets.

Transportation

Vancouver has a convenient transportation system. All major highways are serviced by the bus network that extends throughout Greater Vancouver. The circulation system is identical with some differences at intersections; the civilian sense of the Canadian is found in their driving, you will always see them stop to let a pedestrian. Note that you need a British Columbia license to drive; good news since 2010, it is possible to simply exchange his French license against a license of CB! Vancouver's public transit system is comprised of three SkyTrain subway lines that run through the area and intersect in downtown Vancouver.

Food

Feeding in Vancouver may seem at first glance quite different from France or Europe. You will soon see the famous fast food, pizza slices or hot dog but the city is full of large supermarkets like Safeway or IGA, cheap market gardeners, an excellent but less affordable indoor market - Granville Market - and many restaurants offering specialties from around the world with a strong tendency towards vegetarian and Asian food. Adapting to local food is therefore relatively easy with a flat on the cost of alcohol, cheese and cream!

Children and schools

For children, kindergarten does not start before the age of 5, so it will be necessary to provide a registration in nursery or have a "nanny". Count a large budget to keep your child, between 800 and 1200 dollars per month. The waiting list is also long, between 6 months and 1 year. The school pace is less busy than in France, children leaving school around 15h. There are many institutions in Vancouver offering dual French / English or French only (École Française International de North Vancouver). After school, children can enjoy the many community centers offering multiple sports activities. Finally, if you need help at home, it is easy to find domestic help for a budget of 15-20 dollars per hour.

And weekends? Plethores of activities await you in Vancouver during the weekends. Let's start by reminding you that Vancouver is the city of choice for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. It is easy to occupy the weekend with a ski, snowshoeing, hiking, rowing, sailing or climbing! In case of rain, the wonderful anthropological museum of Vancouver - MOA - will open its doors as well as the Aquarium or Science World. The Vancouver Opera also offers a good program (2012 proposes Romeo & Juliette, Aida ...) and many festivals are organized throughout the year such as the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Fringe, the biggest festival theaters in British Columbia or the Shakespeare Festival Bard on the Beach located on the edge of Vancouver Bay.