Though recently receiving some bad press for its increasingly expensive housing and costs of living, as well as its relatively high crime rates and high traffic, Vancouver still remains a source of high traffic for good reason. A port city and unique cultural hub, described by The New York Times as “two cities rolled into one”, Vancouver’s breathtaking beaches, mountains, and green space put a unique spin and slowed pace on the common charms associated with big city living. Named a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2011, Vancouver has a lucrative job market, a vibrant and diverse arts community, some of the best sea food in Canada, and a vibrant metropolitan atmosphere. Nonetheless, while Vancouver may seem to be the place to be in BC, it may not be the best place to live, or, more specifically, buy a home in. Though it ranked higher than any other BC city in Moneysense’s “Best Places to Live in Canada” survey in 2011 (ranking #29), it’s declared by various other sources to be “Canada’s least affordable city”. Further studies conducted by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found that the minimum wage of the province (the lowest in Canada) fell more than 50% short of the cost required “based on the real costs of raising a family in Vancouver”. Though their costs of living may be high, their unemployment rates are low: 3% lower than the national average, compared to Toronto, whose unemployment rates are 3% higher than the national average. Place to live or not to live, Vancouver definitely seems like a good place to work.
Thankfully for those looking to acquire the Vancouver lifestyle at a lower price, there are plenty of family-friendly districts close by that offer convenient commuting. In contrast to some of the quieter surrounding areas, Burnaby is imbued with a strong sense of being its own city. To the immediate east of Vancouver, Burnaby enjoys the same first-rate healthcare as the rest of BC, and lower crime rates and housing costs that Vancouver. Homes in Burnaby have an average selling price of $586, 507, which is almost half the average price of a Vancouver home, at $1, 017, 951. Though Burnaby has a strong economy on its own, with a thriving technology industry and one of nation’s top comprehensive schools, Simon Fraser University, a significant portion of the population still commutes to the big city for employment involving metal slitters, freight movement, or the justice system.
For those of you with a family who are wondering if some areas of Burnaby are more suitable than others, North Burnaby garners the most attention from local residents for being the most family-friendly area of the region. In contrast to South Burnaby, North Burnaby’s early development was more geared towards being an extension of Vancouver. Its shopping district has been lively for nearly one hundred years now, and due to many of its stores being owned by second and third generation merchants, it retains a great deal of authenticity and charm, enriched with flavour by its culturally diverse residents. North Burnaby has an exciting array of award-winning restaurants, coffee shops, and an authentic and diverse retail industry.
Whether you come with the help of movers in Vancouver or whether you are from hiring Burnaby moving companies from another province and coming to BC for the first time, Burnaby is a great city that allows residents the best of both worlds.
