University of British Columbia (Fall 2014)

[Slutsky_Walrus]

So, who's going to UBC this fall? 

[DeafAudi]

ME! I'm taking the M.Sc. in Audiology. What are you taking? 

 

Have you started looking for a place to live yet? I'm moving with a friend and I'm having a bit of a hard time! There don't seem to be many furnished options that allow small dogs in our price range (read: upwards of $1500 each a month in rent ). I think we will have to find an unfurnished place and either move my furniture from Alberta or buy it when I get there.

[Slutsky_Walrus]

M.A Economics! 

 

I've been checking out padmapper to get an idea of where to live. I haven't decided if I want to live with a roommate but considering I'm going without any funding, it might be the only choice. I'm planning on renting a u-haul trailer and driving some of my stuff out there from Ontario. Gonna be a long drive! 

[DeafAudi]

I thought about renting a U-Haul as well! How much is it going to cost you? I won't be taking my vehicle so I would have to rent a truck. Either that or my dad will take a few days off of work to drive us. I know that's a lot to ask, though. It's also a bit more difficult because my roommate will be moving out in July and I won't be moving until August. When are you moving?

 

Bachelor apartments in Vancouver are so expensive! Maybe you can contact people in your program to see if they are looking for roommates? 

 

I don't know about you but I'm SO excited to move to Vancouver! It's always been a dream of mine to live there .

[DeafAudi]

Oh, and I've heard from people in my program that it isn't the best idea to commute from Surrey or Burnaby because people would get burned out. The comparatively low prices in Burnaby are tempting, though...

[Slutsky_Walrus]

I'll be moving early August probably. Gives me some time to move and settle in before starting the program.

I was initially planning on attending SFU so I looked in Burnaby, thought that was expensive, then I looked in vancouver once I got accepted by UBC. Even though I'm driving out there, I'll definitely be commuting by bus as much as I can.

[DeafAudi]

I would move earlier if I could!

 

I'm hoping to find a place in West Vancouver or downtown. Kitsilano would be ideal. From what I understand from talking to other people, cars can be a bit of a nuisance because the roads are super congested. I think it would definitely be nice to have for trips to the store etc, though!

[Slutsky_Walrus]

I was planning on getting outta here and moving to Vancouver next month to enjoy the summer out there, but didn't exactly pan out that way so I'm gonna have to wait a couple of months. I'm thinking about trying to find a place in the Marpole/Kerrisdale/Oakridge area. A little further out, but rent seems a little more reasonable and there's still a direct bus route to campus. 

 

But I've heard the traffic can be bad, and I'm originally from Toronto so I know how painful that can be. The trips to the store and little trips around/outside the city should be nice, as long as I can find the time haha

[DeafAudi]

At least the summer is a bit longer in Vancouver than in Alberta and (I think) Toronto so hopefully we'll be able to enjoy a couple of months when we finally get out there .

 

Have you met anyone else going to UBC? I've met one other person on here in my department and others on Facebook. Most of them are from the area, though. 

[Slutsky_Walrus]

I know of two that are going to UBC from my department, so at least I'll know a couple of people in my classes. Otherwise, I don't think I know anyone else going to UBC. I also took extra long to finish my undergrad so all of my HS friends are done school already. And on top of that, Ontario students generally don't leave Ontario to go to school since admittedly there really aren't any reasons to go elsewhere for education unless you personally want to (and I, like you, have always wanted to go out west)

[DeafAudi]

 And on top of that, Ontario students generally don't leave Ontario to go to school since admittedly there really aren't any reasons to go elsewhere for education unless you personally want to (and I, like you, have always wanted to go out west)

 

Yeah, I was wondering about that! Although, there are a couple of people from Ontario in my program. I actually feel like the minority because I'm the only one from small town Alberta so far! I can't wait to experience BC .

 

I bet you can't wait to leave the snow and COLD behind, hey? I don't think it gets much below 0 degrees in Vancouver (thank god). 

[Slutsky_Walrus]

I don't mind the cold and snow too much, in fact I think I'm gonna miss it. As silly as it may seem, I actually hate the rain so next year is gonna be interesting if I can't get used to it lol. But I figure I'm gonna spend most of my days stuck at a desk studying anyway...or at least I should be!

[DeafAudi]

Haha, I hate rain too but I hate the cold/snow even more! 

[Slutsky_Walrus]

Really hoping to find at least a bit of time to do some skiing in BC

[gillguru7]

Hi Guys!
Nice to find this thread. I am taking M.Sc. in Structural Engineering.
I am from India and really knows not much about Vancouver (other than what I have read on internet). I have applied for campus residence but not sure if it would be better than off campus. Living on campus seems to be costlier to me. Any help or ideas regarding this.

Thanks

[mosquitonomics]

Hey!

 

I'll be joining UBC in the fall for an M.A. Economics. I'm from Ontario but have never been to Vancouver. I have no idea where to live, nor do I know anyone in the city. I prefer to stay in a nice little studio apartment nearby campus, but I don't know if that is possible or feasible. I am currently living abroad for work at the moment, so have not had much time to research these things, but I am moving back home next month to start preparations.

 

Looking forward to the mountains and beach!

[DeafAudi]

Cool, nice to meet you guys! I'm just starting the apartment search. I tried looking earlier this month but there wasn't much available. Starting to get a bit nervous!

[Slutsky_Walrus]

Hey!

I'll be joining UBC in the fall for an M.A. Economics. I'm from Ontario but have never been to Vancouver. I have no idea where to live, nor do I know anyone in the city. I prefer to stay in a nice little studio apartment nearby campus, but I don't know if that is possible or feasible. I am currently living abroad for work at the moment, so have not had much time to research these things, but I am moving back home next month to start preparations.

Looking forward to the mountains and beach!

Well I figured I'd run into another MA Econ student around here! Where are you coming from?

[Slutsky_Walrus]

Cool, nice to meet you guys! I'm just starting the apartment search. I tried looking earlier this month but there wasn't much available. Starting to get a bit nervous!

I emailed a few months places last night and they were all filled. I'm also starting to get a wee bit nervous myself!

[DeafAudi]

I emailed a few months places last night and they were all filled. I'm also starting to get a wee bit nervous myself!

 

Are you still looking for a 1 bedroom? We found a few 2 bedrooms we are interested in but they are SO expensive! I don't want a long commute and need a pet friendly place. We are looking at $800-950 each. I don't know if this is average for Vancouver or not...

[Slutsky_Walrus]

Are you still looking for a 1 bedroom? We found a few 2 bedrooms we are interested in but they are SO expensive! I don't want a long commute and need a pet friendly place. We are looking at $800-950 each. I don't know if this is average for Vancouver or not...

Nah I decided to just get a room and share a place with someone.

What pet are you bringing with you? A dog?

[*Jenny*]

Hi guys! I'm doing my MEd in Counselling Psychology at UBC. I start in 4.5 weeks though!

I'm from the area. I went to UBC for my undergrad. My first year I commuted from White Rock, second year I rented a flat in Marpole, third year and fourth year I rented around the Granville and W. Broadway area (left after the rent for my crappy 1 bedroom shot up to $1150 a month!) Flats are super expensive in and around Vancouver! I now own a townhouse in Surrey (Cloverdale) and will be commuting in. Fortunately my theory courses are all online so I won't have to commute too much.

Edited May 30, 2014 by *Jenny*

[tangarang]

Hi everyone! 

 

I'm starting my Master's in Library & Information Studies (MLIS) at UBC this fall. 

 

Like Jenny, I did my undergrad at UBC and am from the area.

 

I commuted from Coquitlam for the first three years and rented an apartment in Kerrisdale in fourth year with then boyfriend (now husband). It was a fairly roomy, sunny, corner 1BR in an ancient and crappy building. Kerrisdale was a great location to live: tons of nearby amenities, and one bus to campus, 13 minutes door to door. I definitely recommend it. In the older buildings that are more affordable though, landlords are more traditional in their renting practices and they tend to prefer renting to locals whom they can meet face-to-face. Lots of suites are rented to walk-bys.

 

Husband went back to school to get his BSc, so financially we were forced to move back to Coquitlam. I'll be commuting but am worried about burnout. Using transit I take 4 buses and the trip is almost 2.5 hours each way! (I live in a residential area of Coquitlam with poor bus service.)

[klondike]

Hello all!

 

I'll be starting my MA in art history at UBC in the fall. A little panicked about housing as well, as I'm not sure I will be able to visit beforehand to find a place. Either I can come for a few days in late July to hopefully go to viewings, or I'll be coming in late August, staying at an airbnb place and hoping for the best...For those of you that live/have lived in Vancouver before, do you think there will be many people showing apartments in July for leases beginning in September?

 

And I think I know the answer to this question, but...would it be prohibitively difficult to commute from the Sunshine Coast? I've seen some ads for small anexes/cabins there that look so lovely, with beautiful views and are incredibly cheap! And I will only have two seminars in my first semester (1 day a week each) and I don't think I'll be TAing until at least the second semester...

[DeafAudi]

Nah I decided to just get a room and share a place with someone.

What pet are you bringing with you? A dog?

 

Yup! I thought that Vancouver was SUPER dog friendly but it's actually kind of hard finding a place that allows even small dogs...

 

In other news, my roommate is visiting Vancouver this week and is hoping to sign a lease somewhere. Fingers crossed!