Accommodation & Housing
In general, housing in British Columbia is cheaper than in the UK. However, as with all property markets – the higher the demand the more difficult and expensive it is to find accommodation. If you want to rent a 2 bedroom flat (called an apartment or condo) with an ocean view in Vancouver it will be significantly more expensive than a similar sized apartment with a great view in Powell River (a town on the Sunshine Coast located a few hours and 2 ferry rides away from Vancouver).
For people moving from other provinces, BC is unfortunately one of the hottest and most expensive housing markets in Canada so the move will seem generally expensive.
Many Brits envisage their standard of living improving when coming here because they can afford a bigger home on a larger plot. But, though you may get more bang for your buck in terms of what you see – don’t forget that a larger home and garden means more heating costs, more maintenance, more gardening (do you need a ride on mower?) and so forth. Try not to get too carried away - if the mortgage payments don’t seem too bad you may be in for a shock when the monthly utility bills start to roll in.
Building methods are quite different too. The majority of homes are of timber frame construction rather than UK’s traditional brick and block. Unless they are well maintained these timber homes seem to age more quickly. It is also quite easy for people to do DIY projects such as adding on an extension, replacing windows or fixing the roof themselves – so you must check workmanship carefully and use professional home inspectors (surveyors) if you are considering a house purchase. On the flip side of this – a home that looks absolutely awful may cost considerably less to renovate using Canadian methods and materials rather than those traditionally used in the UK.
Dont forget to check our Home Corner for related articles that will help turn your house into a home.