Welcome to Vancouver!
I am planning on relocating for a grad program to UBC this fall. I was wondering if I could get a bit of advise re: location. I have only been to Vancouver once and have no idea where to live/ work. I figured this was a good place to ask.
Good place for incall location?
Thank you in advance for any help
New talent to Vancouver! I'm so excited!
Since UBC is way out west, for your own travelling convenience to school, you probably don't want to live and work too far away from the west side of town.
Downtown, which includes the
West End, Coal Harbour, Yaletown and Gastown, is probably the most convenient, for UBC is usually one bus ride away. And you can get to most other areas via SkyTrain and the bus system. Clients generally know how to get to and feel safe to visit you in these areas. The downside of it, on the other hand, is that rent prices tend to be higher and, as far as work is concerned, can be a pain for your clients to travel to and find parking when they visit you.
Kitsilano is the area just outside of the campus, adjacent by
Fairview,
Marpole and
Kerrisdale, and are quite convenient too. Generally not as "fancy" or "upscale" as those downtown, the apartments there tend to be lower in rent and can offer good value. Whereas it is easier for clients to get to you, parking, particularly for some areas of Kitsilano and Fairview in the evening, can sometimes be a problem.
There are other areas surrounding UBC that tend to neighbourhoods that are more exclusive (e.g.,
Shaughnessy), residential (e.g.,
Dunbar and
Arbutus) and quiet (e.g.,
West Point Grey), where, if you have a high level of traffic, could draw attention. So, as nice as some of these areas are, they may not be suitable for your line of work.
In all, about the only areas you really want to avoid are
Downtown Eastside,
Strathcona, and, to a certain extent,
Mount Pleasant. Some of the neighbourhoods in these areas may not be the safest and, as far as work is concerned, are known for street actions, which may not lend a very positive reputation to you, if you are not that kind of provider.
More than a few reputatble indy SPs work out of Coal Harbour, Yaletown and the West End in one of the recently-built condo buildings. Kitsilano has a few as well. Frankly, speaking for myself, as long as an SP is someone I like, I really don't care what neighbourhood she works out of. So, please pick whatever works best for you.
When are you coming? Can I pencil in a time for an appointment to get to know you?
Good luck!