Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Vancouver is a coastal city located in British Columbia, known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 675,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is CAD. 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD. Major banks include RBC, TD Canada Trust, and Scotiabank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and high-quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telus, Rogers, and Bell with various prepaid options. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Wise, Payoneer, and local banks like RBC. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, serviced apartments, and hostels. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit/debit cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and local services like Blueground. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostelling International Vancouver and Samesun Vancouver. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork and The Profile, both offering vibrant environments. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Artigiano, known for its excellent coffee and work-friendly atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups, Techfest, and Startup Vancouver events held regularly. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Events hosted by InterNations Vancouver and Meetup groups focused on expat networking. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft operate within the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobi by Shaw Go offers bike rentals across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Kitsilano Beach, a popular spot for sunbathing and volleyball. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | WestJet and Air Canada operate most regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Canada, Emirates, and British Airways service international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) provides easy access to the region. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Waterfront Station serves as the primary transportation center. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Compass Card offers seamless travel for buses, Skytrain, and SeaBus. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | TransLink provides interconnected services for travel to nearby areas. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | St. Paul's Hospital is a major healthcare facility in downtown Vancouver. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yyoga and The Yoga Space offer various yoga classes and workshops. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Best Buy Fitness and YMCA provide numerous workout options across the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry Hut offers self-service and drop-off laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and DoorDash are popular for food delivery in the city. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Poutine, a Canadian classic found at many restaurants. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Plant-Based Nomad and The Naam offer extensive vegan menus. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop and Thomas Haas Patisserie for sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Grandview-Woodland Farmers Market for local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon Canada and local goes-to sites like Well.ca. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Save-On-Foods provide grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Granville Street and Commercial Drive are lively nightlife hubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Granville Island Brewing offers local craft beers and tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Bar and Salt Tasting Room are great for wine enthusiasts. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at Vancouver's street food markets offer diverse quick bites. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Asian cuisine, especially sushi, is abundant in Vancouver. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Stanley Park and Capilano Suspension Bridge are iconic attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Museum of Anthropology and Vancouver Art Gallery showcase rich culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Gastown with its historic buildings and steam clock. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Christ Church Cathedral and the ISKCON Temple are notable places of worship. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Vancouver International Film Festival and Vancouver Folk Music Festival attract visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Gastown and Granville Island for local arts and crafts. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Orpheum Theatre host a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Granville Island Public Market is known for its artisanal food and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Vancouver has vibrant live music venues like The Commodore Ballroom. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Eastside Murals add splashes of color to the Downtown Eastside. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Dirty Apron Cooking School offers a hands-on experience for food lovers. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Contemporary Art Gallery showcases local and international artworks. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Vancouver Block and Vancouver City Hall are architectural highlights. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Indigenous history is visible through cultural events and sites. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Grouse Mountain offers year-round outdoor activities and breathtaking views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a short drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Seawall offers scenic views and is perfect for biking and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Queen Elizabeth Park provides panoramic views of Vancouver. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Reifel Bird Sanctuary attracts numerous birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Kitsilano Beach has designated bonfire spots. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Canada Post and FedEx provide reliable parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Best Buy and uBreakiFix offer comprehensive tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Vancouver Table Tennis Club is a popular venue. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Alliance Française offers French language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Vancouver Public Library Central Branch is a great study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Britannia Community Centre hosts numerous public programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Gaming Studio offers a space for video game enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Edgewater Casino is located near the waterfront. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 1,200,000 per m² (e.g., 500 m² = CAD 600,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 800,000 per m² (e.g., 500 m² = CAD 400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 1,500,000 per m² (e.g., 650 m² = CAD 975,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 1,000,000 per m² (e.g., 650 m² = CAD 650,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 1,800,000 per m² (e.g., 850 m² = CAD 1,530,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 1,200,000 per m² (e.g., 850 m² = CAD 1,020,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 12.5% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Tends to range from 15% to 25% depending on tax treaties. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system based on income levels. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 53.5% for top earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules around tax residency. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Approx 0.2% to 0.4% of assessed value annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Ranges from 1% to 3% based on property value. |