2013 pre-arrival webinar - part 2
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2013 Pre-Arrival webinar for new graduate students at UBC: life in Vancouver, accommodation, commuting, grocery shopping etc.TRANSCRIPT
& UBC Graduate Student Society (GSS)
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Graduate Pathways to Success
JULY 23 & 24, 2013
CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, 2013 UBC GSS ORIENTATION COORDINATOR
Life in Vancouver: Finding a home, settling in, getting
around and exploring the city
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Deciding where to live: Vancouver
neighbourhoods
Image from UBC Housing and Accommodations,
http://www.housing.ubc.ca/off-campus-housing/deciding-where-to-live
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Deciding where to live: Vancouver
neighbourhoods
Main St. divides the city into east and west
Housing in western neighbourhoods tends to be pricier
Neighbourhoods to the east are more economical
The Downtown Eastside (just east of downtown surrounding
East Hastings St.) is not considered to be a desirable
neighborhood due to crime, drug use, homelessness, etc.
UBC (end of the peninsula). Many areas on campus
http://www.maps.ubc.ca; info at http://www.housing.ubc.ca/ .
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Neighbourhoods: Know your “Wests”
Pay attention to these names, as they refer to very different areas!
West Side (ex. Kitsilano, Point Grey, Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy)
- the western part of Vancouver that is not downtown
West End
- the western, more residential section of the downtown area
West Vancouver
- to the north-west of Vancouver on the North Shore
- is a municipality, not a suburb of Vancouver
- transit to UBC will be longer and require transferring
…but “East End” and “East Van” both mean East Vancouver
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
West Side neighbourhoods
(ex. Kitsilano, Point Grey, Dunbar-Southlands)
Closest neighbourhoods to UBC
Rent can be higher here than neighbourhoods to the east...
but the commute is much shorter
Quick and easy access to campus and downtown by bus
Safe
Access to beaches and parks
Basement suites and small, low-rise apartment buildings
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Downtown neighbourhoods
Easy access to transit, including direct buses to UBC
Approximate time to UBC using public transit is 40 minutes
West End
- Home to Vancouver’s vibrant LGBTQ village
- Close to parks and beaches
- Densely populated; mainly apartments / condos
Yaletown
- High rent apartments and condos
- Trendy restaurants, bars, and boutiques
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Image from Google Maps
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
East Vancouver neighbourhoods
Direct bus routes to UBC are available, but the commute will be longer
than in western neighbourhoods (approximately 60 minutes)
East Van neighbourhoods generally feature lower rents and a more
diverse population. Some neighbourhoods are:
Grandview (incl. Commercial Drive)
- A diverse, bohemian area; home to many restaurants
- Little Italy: Italian coffee shops, pizza, fresh cheese markets
Mount Pleasant
- Popular with young professionals, first-time home buyers & artists
- Main St. is popular for vintage clothing shopping, restaurants
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Metro-Vancouver area
Cities surrounding Vancouver include:
- Richmond, Delta (south)
- Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge (east)
- Surrey, Langley, Cloverdale, White Rock (south-east)
- West and North Vancouver (north, the North Shore)
Rent can be lower in these cities, but the commute to UBC
will be much longer (1 to 2 hrs)
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Image © Metro Vancouver's Vital Signs 2007
http://2007.vancouverfoundationvitalsigns.ca/?q=node/6
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Deciding where to live: Vancouver
neighbourhoods
Image from UBC Housing and Accommodations,
http://www.housing.ubc.ca/off-campus-housing/deciding-where-to-live
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Housing: Online Resources
Search options
- AMS Rentsline: http://www.amsrentsline.com/
- www.rentalhomes4students.com
- Craigslist
- Padmapper
- www.eslrent.com (International students)
Lots of information in our forum:
http://forum.grad.ubc.ca/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=139
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Finding roommates and rental
spaces Late July or August is the best time to look for a place for
September
- The turn around time for rental units is fast
Try connecting with other graduate students through the
Graduate Studies online forum (forum.grad.ubc.ca)
Current or graduating students in your program may know
about available rooms / apartments
Be cautious and beware of scams: do not send money,
banking or personal information
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Housing: Additional Costs
Utilities (BC Hydro, internet, cable, cell phones, land lines)
Laundry (Is it coin-operated or free? Do you have to go to a
Laundromat?)
Renter’s insurance is highly recommended
Furniture
-used: Craigslist, Kijiji, garage sales
-new: Ikea (2 locations), etc.
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Housing: Protecting yourself
Know your rights as a tenant: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/
Get your rental agreement in writing
Document all existing damage with photographs
Vancouver Bedbug Registry
http://bedbugregistry.com/metro/vancouver/
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Public transit
U-Pass is included in your student fees and is good for all zones.
See: http://www.upass.ubc.ca/
Only exact change if paying cash (e.g. visitors)
Translink: http://www.translink.ca/
See for schedules, maps, Trip Planner, Transit 101, etc.
- Google maps can also plan transit trips
Major express bus lines: 99 B-line (express along Broadway), 44
(express UBC to downtown on W 4th), 84, 480
Skytrain: Canada Line (downtown to Richmond and airport), Expo
Line (Surrey, New West, Burnaby, Vancouver), Millennium Line
(Coquitlam, New West, Burnaby, Vancouver).
Sea Bus: Connects the North Shore to downtown Vancouver
Stand up / wave to stop bus at bus stop
Red stop button / cord on windows to request stop
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Cycling in Vancouver
Bike lanes/routes:
http://www.translink.ca/en/Cycling/Cycling-Routes.aspx
http://www.cyclevancouver.ubc.ca/cv.aspx
Best Bike Trails in Vancouver and Beyond http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/08/best-bike-trails-vancouver_n_3386973.html
City of Vancouver Bike Projects http://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/separated-bicycle-lanes.aspx
AMS Bike Coop
Get a good lock and always use it
Helmet and lights are required
Do not ride on the sidewalk unless signs are posted allowing you to
It’s easy to combine cycling and transit: buses have bike racks on the front and the Canada Line has designated spaces for bikes
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Grocery Stores
Around campus:
– Small stores and food court in International Village
– Save on Foods; Safeway (10th Ave)
Lower priced groceries around the city:
– Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Walmart, T & T,
independent fruit stands
Organic and specialty items
- Capers/Whole Foods, Choices
Fresh, local produce:
- Farmer’s markets
Costco
- bulk foods
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Grocery Stores
Best areas to purchase Ethnic/World Food:
Punjabi Market on South Main (Sunset neighbourhood)
Chinatown: just east of downtown
Kingsway: Asian and South Asian foods
Greektown: W. Broadway
Little Italy: Commercial Drive
Richmond (Golden Village): Chinese
H-Mart (downtown, Richmond, Coquitlam) is a Korean grocery store
See also: http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2010/09/18/best-ethnic-
grocery-stores-in-vancouver-chefs-choices/
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Clothes Shopping
Brand-name clothing
– Downtown: Robson and Granville
– West 4th
– Malls: Metrotown (Burnaby), Park Royal (North Van), Richmond
Centre (Richmond), Pacific Centre (downtown)
Boutiques
– Main St. (new and vintage)
– Commercial Drive
– South Granville
– West 4th
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
On Campus Attractions
Museum of Anthropology
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Rose Garden / Flag Pole
Nitobe Japanese Memorial Garden
Botanical Garden
Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
School of Music
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
UBC Library: Rare books and special collections
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Local Attractions
Beaches: Wreck Beach (clothing optional), Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach,
Kits Beach, English Bay, 1 + 2 Beach
Mountains: Grouse, Cypress, Seymour, Whistler
Parks: Pacific Spirit Park, Stanley Park, Seawall
Museums: Vancouver Art Gallery, Telus World of Science, Museum of
Vancouver, Maritime Museum
Stanley Park & Vancouver Aquarium
Granville Island
Lots of free festivals: Italian Days on Commercial Drive, Greek Days on W.
Broadway, Khatsalano music festival in Kitsilano, Car Free Day on Main St
and Commercial Drive…and more
Graduate Student Society (GSS) UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Resources / Tips
The graduate student forum is a great place to ask questions.
http://forum.grad.ubc.ca/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=139
Rent varies across the city, but our cost calculator can give you a
rough idea about how much living and studying in Vancouver will
cost:
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/tuition-fees-cost-living/cost-living
Orientation events for Graduate Students
http://orientation.grad.ubc.ca/resources/
www.grad.ubc.ca