Vancouver

---
name: Vancouver
slug: vancouver
version: 1.0.0
description: Navigate Vancouver as visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transit, costs, immigration, and local insights.
homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/vancouver
metadata:
  clawdbot:
    emoji: 🏔️
    requires:
      bins: []
    os:
    - linux
    - darwin
    - win32
    displayName: Vancouver
---

## When to Use

User asks about Vancouver for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.

## Quick Reference

| Topic | File |
|-------|------|
| **Visitors** | |
| Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` |
| Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` |
| Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` |
| Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` |
| **Neighborhoods** | |
| Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` |
| Downtown, Yaletown, Coal Harbour | `neighborhoods-downtown.md` |
| Kitsilano, Point Grey, West Side | `neighborhoods-westside.md` |
| East Van, Commercial Drive, Main St | `neighborhoods-eastside.md` |
| North Shore, West Van, Deep Cove | `neighborhoods-northshore.md` |
| Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey suburbs | `neighborhoods-suburbs.md` |
| Choosing guide | `neighborhoods-choosing.md` |
| **Food** | |
| Overview & dining scene | `food-overview.md` |
| Asian cuisines (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) | `food-asian.md` |
| Local & farm-to-table | `food-local.md` |
| International & fine dining | `food-international.md` |
| Best areas for dining | `food-areas.md` |
| Dietary, craft beer, cannabis | `food-practical.md` |
| **Practical** | |
| Moving & settling | `resident.md` |
| Transit (SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus) | `transport.md` |
| Cost of living | `cost.md` |
| Safety & neighborhoods | `safety.md` |
| Weather & rain survival | `climate.md` |
| Local services (banking, SIM, MSP) | `local.md` |
| **Career** | |
| Tech industry & salaries | `tech.md` |
| Business setup & incorporation | `business.md` |
| Immigration (Express Entry, PNP, work permits) | `immigration.md` |
| Startups & funding | `startup.md` |
| **Lifestyle** | |
| Culture & customs | `culture.md` |
| Healthcare (MSP, clinics) | `healthcare.md` |
| Schools & education | `education.md` |
| Outdoor lifestyle & activities | `lifestyle.md` |
| Driving & car ownership | `driving.md` |

## Core Rules

### 1. Identify User Context First
- **Role**: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur
- **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there
- Load relevant auxiliary file for details

### 2. Immigration-Centric Planning
Canada has complex but transparent immigration. Key pathways:
- **Express Entry**: Points-based skilled worker immigration
- **BC PNP**: Provincial nomination (tech pilot is fast-tracked)
- **Work permits**: LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt (IEC, intra-company)
- **Study permits**: Pathway to PR through PGWP
See `immigration.md` for current requirements and processing times.

### 3. Weather Reality
Vancouver has Canada's mildest climate but earns its "Raincouver" nickname:
- **Winter (Nov-Mar)**: 5-10°C, grey and rainy. ~170 rainy days/year.
- **Summer (Jun-Sep)**: 20-25°C, sunny and spectacular. Best months.
- **Microlimates**: North Shore wetter, Richmond drier.
See `climate.md` for monthly breakdown and survival strategies.

### 4. Housing Crisis Context
Vancouver has the least affordable housing in North America:
- **Average home price**: ~$1.2M CAD (condos ~$750K)
- **1BR rent Downtown**: $2,200-3,000/month
- **Vacancy rate**: ~1% — units go fast
- **Foreign buyer tax**: 20% for non-residents
See `cost.md` for current market data and strategies.

### 5. Current Data (Feb 2026)

| Item | Range |
|------|-------|
| 1BR rent (Downtown) | $2,200-3,000/month |
| 1BR rent (East Van) | $1,800-2,400/month |
| Senior SWE salary | $150,000-220,000 CAD/year |
| Monthly transit pass | $102.55-177.75 (zones) |
| Craft beer pint | $8-12 |
| Childcare (infant) | $1,500-2,200/month |

### 6. Cost Reality
Vancouver is expensive but wages are lower than US:
- **Housing**: 40-50% of budget common (crisis level)
- **Childcare**: Among Canada's highest until BC $10/day rollout completes
- **Healthcare**: Free basic coverage (MSP), dental/vision extra
- **Car ownership**: Optional if you live near SkyTrain
- **Hidden costs**: 12% PST+GST on goods, 15% tip expected

### 7. Transit Excellence (For Canada)
Vancouver has strong public transit by Canadian standards:
- **SkyTrain**: Automated metro, 3 lines, clean and frequent
- **Buses**: Extensive network, real-time tracking
- **SeaBus**: Ferry to North Vancouver (12 min)
- **Cycling**: Excellent infrastructure, bike-share available
Most Downtown/inner city residents don't need cars. See `transport.md`.

### 8. Neighborhood Matching

| Profile | Best Areas |
|---------|------------|
| Young professionals | Yaletown, Mount Pleasant, Gastown |
| Families | North Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam |
| Beach lifestyle | Kitsilano, English Bay, West End |
| Budget-conscious | East Van, New Westminster, Surrey |
| Tech workers | Downtown, Mount Pleasant, Burnaby (near Metrotown) |
| Students | UBC area, Commercial Drive, Burnaby near SFU |
| Outdoors focus | North Vancouver, Squamish (commutable) |

## Tech Industry Context

Vancouver is Canada's third-largest tech hub after Toronto and Montreal:
- **Major employers**: Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, EA, SAP, Slack, Hootsuite
- **Strengths**: Gaming, VFX/film, AI/ML, clean tech
- **US proximity**: Same timezone as Seattle/SF, easy cross-border work
- **BC Tech Pilot**: Expedited PR pathway for tech workers

Salaries are lower than Seattle/SF but:
- Healthcare included
- No state income tax (BC rates apply)
- Better work-life balance culture
- PR pathway for long-term stability

See `tech.md` for detailed industry analysis and salary bands.

## Vancouver-Specific Traps

- **Rain depression** — 6 months of grey skies is real. Get a SAD lamp and rainwear.
- **Housing speed** — Good units rent within hours. Have documents ready, apply immediately.
- **Reference requirements** — Landlords want employment letter, credit check, references. Prepare these.
- **Tipping culture** — 18-20% expected everywhere. Budget for it.
- **BC income tax** — Higher than other provinces. Alberta/Ontario may be cheaper net.
- **Car insurance (ICBC)** — Government monopoly, expensive. $2,000-4,000/year typical.
- **Strata restrictions** — Many condos restrict pets, rentals, or Airbnb. Check bylaws.
- **Summer accommodation** — July-August prices spike 2-3x. Book early or visit shoulder season.
- **US border assumptions** — Canadians need ESTA/visa; NEXUS card helps frequent crossers.
- **Ski traffic** — Sea-to-Sky Highway gridlocks winter weekends. Leave early or stay over.

## Legal/Practical Awareness

Key things newcomers should know:
- **Cannabis**: Legal (19+). Dispensaries everywhere. No public smoking near schools.
- **Alcohol**: BC Liquor Stores or licensed private stores only. No corner store beer.
- **Healthcare wait times**: Walk-in clinics have hours-long waits. Register with family doctor ASAP.
- **SIN requirement**: Apply immediately on arrival. Needed for work/banking.
- **Banking**: Big 5 banks (TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC) plus credit unions.
- **Phone plans**: Expensive by global standards. $50-80/month for decent data.
- **Earthquake zone**: Vancouver is seismically active. Know emergency procedures.
- **Wildlife**: Bears in North Shore suburbs. Coyotes everywhere. Secure garbage.

See `safety.md` and `local.md` for detailed guidance.

## Related Skills
More Clawic skills, get them at https://clawic.com/skills/<slug> (install if the user confirms):

- `toronto` — Canada's largest city, different vibe but similar immigration
- `seattle` — Closest US city, similar tech scene and outdoor culture
- `dubai` — Expat hub comparison, very different but similar guide structure
- `travel` — General travel planning and tips

## Feedback

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