Corporate Relocation in Vancouver: Finding the Right Place to Live
Whether you are moving your entire business, a few employees, or are a single employee, setting up shop in the city of Vancouver can be a daunting process. There are many things to consider, such as office location, housing arrangements, and of course housing for yourself and your staff.
In this article we are going to focus specifically on finding suitable accommodation.
The best things to do when you first relocate to a new city is spend some time getting a lay of the land. This is especially important when you are relocating to a city that you have very little knowledge about. Rushing into a purchase, or a lengthy rental agreement can have the negative consequence of leaving you stuck in a neighborhood that may have appeared desirable at first, but in reality, it turns out to be much more of a nightmare then a dream home.
Before you even think about renting or buying a place, you want to spend some time researching what parts of the city suit your personality best. Hang out in the neighborhood, visit the bars, pubs, and coffee shops, and really get to know the area. Chat with the people, talk to friends in the city, and make sure that you are choosing an area that you will be comfortable and relaxed in.
The upside to this process is that you increase your chances of making a properly informed decision about where you are going to live. The downside is that the process can take a while, and you need a place to live right away. To solve this short-term problem, you have a number of options:
- Stay with Friends/Family
The pros: It is affordable and secure.
The Cons: Lack of privacy, reduced independence, you may not even have any friends or family in the city.
- Find a Hotel Room
The Pros: Security, comfort, independence.
The Cons: No kitchen, expensive, small.
- Start Renting Right Away
The Pros: You get settled quickly, and with a good lease it can be secure and affordable.
The Cons: Ill-informed decision, costly to get out of lease or mortgage.
The Pros: Monthly rentals available, freedom to move out whenever you need, half the price of a hotel, full kitchen, fully furnished.
The Cons: It is easy to get settled and never want to leave, and a bit more expensive than renting on a yearly basis.
Each of these options presents it’s own risks and rewards. Personally, I would be sure to take my time in finding just the right place. Moving to a new city is exciting, and the last thing you need is to find out that the place you just purchased/rented is not all that it’s cracked up to be.
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