Uncategorized – Ask Wai

We often hear from people “Why should I move to Vancouver?” It’s a question that we get asked so often that we thought that it was high time we put it down on paper.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why we love Vancouver (and hope you will too!):

Reason #1: Its beauty: From our rugged mountains, abundant parks, scenic beaches, diverse neighborhoods, and enviable seaside living, there are more reasons than one why Vancouver has been consistently rated one of Canada’s premier cities and the 10^th cleanest city in the world, according to Forbes. Everywhere you look you are surrounded by natural beauty. Examples include: Indian Arm – the glacial fjord adjacent to Vancouver, Vandusen Botanical Gardens – a 55-acre botanical haven, and Stanley Park, just to name a few scenic locales.

Reason #2: Its diversity: Vancouver is home to about 700,000 residents whose households speak languages other than English. That works out to roughly 50 percent of the City’s residents and 44 percent of the surrounding areas (known as Greater Vancouver). Chinese languages account for approximately 280,000 of these households and Punjabi 125,000. Wherever you turn in the city, you are greeted with the sights and sounds of other cultures, from music to food and everything in between.

Reason #3: The weather: By Canadian standards, the City’s weather is incredibly mild and the City boasts some of the warmest winters in the entire country. Snow falls on average 11 days a year and summers are dry, sunny, and reasonably warm.

Reason #4: The economy: The City, and the rest of the province, has one of the country’s most prosperous economies. Vancouver is one of Canada’s largest industrial centers, contains the largest port (handling $200 million of cargo/day), and boasts a highly diversified economy. The city is home to a variety of industries including biotechnology, alternative fuels, and software development. HSBC Canada has its headquarters in the city, as do a number of mining and forestry companies. Film companies have adopted the City as a “Hollywood North” and the City’s scenic locations have ensured that the tourism industry is healthy on an ongoing basis.

Reason #5: The housing market: Vancouver’s real estate market is red hot and showing no signs of slowing. According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, this is the result of lower energy prices, mortgage rates, and Canadian dollar. In the Greater Vancouver area, the price of a typical single detached family home has risen by 18 percent in the last two years, reaching $1.4 million in October 2015. This is due to the balance between supply and demand being tighter for single family homes than for condos with the typical apartment selling for the modest price of $425,800.

Prices are expected to moderate in 2016 as mortgage rates increase, with the average MLS price expected to dip to an average of $933,200 in 2017.

Reason #6: Accessibility: The city offers a variety of options for public transit, from buses and ferries to commuter rail services. The City’s primary form of rapid transit – the Sky Train – provides easy access to the downtown core from outlying areas including Surrey, Burnaby, and New Westminster. The City’s commuter train – the Westcoast Express – delivers commuters from as far out as Mission and Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Monday to Friday during peak commuting times. Backed by the government’s strong environmental policy, many of the buses in the downtown core are electric, helping to keep the city’s air quality low. The city is also very walkable and is designed for both cyclists and walkers alike.

This list is by no means complete. Ask any resident or tourist to the City what they love about Vancouver and likely you’ll receive two very different answers. Come check the City out and let us know why you want to move to Vancouver. We’re here to help with all your relocation needs and to provide expert advice and guidance in finding your dream West Coast home.

Working with a qualified and reliable moving company can be huge stress relief when planning any move. But how exactly do you go about choosing the right one when there are so many moving companies to choose from?

Here are few pointers to get you started:

Do Your Research: Always shop around for a moving company by asking for recommendations from your family, friend, or colleagues. Contact your local Better Business Bureau or movers association to see if they have a list of recommended moving companies who are certified. Check out online reviews through sites like Yelp.ca.

Ask the Right Questions: Don’t be afraid to “interview” your moving company. YOU are hiring them after all. Questions to ask include:

Do they know about and agree to abide by the terms of Industry Canada’s Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers?
What are your rights and responsibilities during the move? What are theirs? What is the liability policy for loss and damage and are there limitations on it?
Is the moving company insured and if so, who is their provider?
Do they provide their own equipment or will it be subcontracted? If it’s going to be subcontracted, find out the name of the subcontractor and ask for some references.
What will happen if your belongings need to be left overnight in the moving van? Where will the van be kept?
If you items are going into storage, where will that occur? Is it the moving company’s own storage or a third party’s?
Does the moving company have a Workers Compensation Board certificate?

Always Get An Estimate: We always recommend only accepting an estimate if it’s delivered AFTER the moving company has actually seen what is being moved. If a moving company says they can provide a quote online or over the phone, it’s usually a red flag. On your end, always make sure you give the moving company as much information as you can about your move including where you are moving from, the location of new residence, an inventory of what you want moved, and a description of any items needing special attention (i.e. piano).

Always get estimates in writing including the delivery date. A proper estimate should be dated and on company letterhead. It should include the moving company’s name, telephone number, address and a full description of everything to be moved, the cost per hour, and timing of services.

If any of the moving companies you contact offer to forego GST or say they only accept cash payments, be wary. It’s often a sure sign of an unscrupulous mover.

Pay Attention to Detail: Are you packing or is the moving company? What kind of boxes can you use? Should you seal and label all boxes? Are there any special seasonal rates you can take advantage of (i.e. October to June, mid-month)? How much deposit is required and is it refundable? What payment options are available?

These questions will act as a great starting point in choosing a moving company that holds integrity, value, and honesty in the highest regard.

References:

The Consumer Checklist for Choosing a Moving Company. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2015, from https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/oca-bc.nsf/eng/ca02029.html

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If you have more questions about what to look for in a moving company, contact Wai and his qualified team of experts today at www.askwai.ca or 604.721.1800 (Vancouver); 780.709.4358 (Edmonton). They have helped hundreds of first time buyers, investors, and retirees just like you relocate to their dream home.