LIVING IN VANCOUVER
Living in Vancouver
One of the most livable.
Welcome to Vancouver, Canada – one of the most livable cities in the world. Known for its beautiful surroundings, modern infrastructure and multicultural community, it’s no surprise that the city of Vancouver is an incredibly popular study destination for students from all over the world. With more than 52% of the population speaking a first language other than English, Vancouver is considered the most ethnically and linguistically diverse city in Canada.
Vancouver has moderate weather year-round; the summer months are usually short, easy-going, and warm, with more sunshine and less humidity. Fall can be rainy but is very agreeable weather, less crowded than in the summer and with beautiful tree colours everywhere. Winter can bring a little snow, it is quite cold but compared to the rest of Canada it is much milder. Lastly, in Spring temperatures begin to warm, however, it is still quite cool, besides it has the beautiful bloom of nature and the popular cherry blossom trees.
In addition, throughout the city, you will find stores, restaurants and places of worship that represent all kinds of different communities, with frequent events that celebrate these cultures.
Also, for more information on what to do in Vancouver, please go to the article ‘Things to do in Vancouver while studying in a Post-Secondary Institution‘.
What’s there to do in Vancouver
Get outside.
British Columbia is legendary for its natural beauty, and Vancouver puts you in easy reach of it all. Some favourite outdoor activities are mountain biking, sea kayaking, hiking, whale-watching and beach volleyball. Besides, in Metro Vancouver, you’ll find 220 city parks, 120 skate parks, dozens of beaches and 350 kilometres of seawall paths to explore.
Take advantage of urban life.
Of course, Vancouver isn’t just mountains and oceans. No matter where you are, great cafés, eclectic shops and high-end retailers are never more than a few minutes away with the quick service of Vancouver public transit. Head to Robson Street for big global brands, or Main Street for vintage finds. In addition, Gastown, Granville Street and Yaletown are all packed with late-night restaurants, bars and music.
Enjoy winter at the top of the mountain.
Although it rarely snows in Vancouver itself, our three local mountains put snow within easy reach during the winter months. Therefore, skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and snowshoeing are all popular. Also, you can just grab some hot chocolate and take in the view high above the city.
Get a taste of west- coast culture.
Every big city has its museums art galleries, but Vancouver’s real strength is in our rich collections of Canadian Aboriginal artifacts, our vibrant indigenous artist community, and our living First Nations culture in our international cuisine, which famously also brings Asian, European, and First Nations traditions together with fresh local seafood produce.
What can I do outside of Vancouver?
Hit the slopes
Aside from the world-famous
Whistler-Blackcomb, there are dozens
of major winter resorts across BC and
in neighbouring Alberta and
also in Washington state.
Hop on a ferry
Explore the eclectic island communities
around the BC coast, and also the
provincial capital of Victoria.
Visit the West
Go south along the west coast by
bus, train or plane. Besides, Washington state is
just one hour from downtown
Vancouver.
Pre-Arrival
Hello, new Acsenda students!
If you’re new to Vancouver, here’s a great resource to help you get to know your new city.
Housing
Acsenda’s centrally located campus Vancouver downtown, as a result, allows students to choose from a variety of housing options.
Living in Vancouver
Acsenda School of Management is located in Vancouver’s downtown area close to Bentall Centre and Burrard Station, an area known for its entertainment, art and sport cultures. Studying at Acsenda means you are close to many of the sights and experiences which has made Vancouver famous worldwide.
Vancouver is a coastal city on the south-western side of Canada and is the largest city in the state of British Columbia. It enjoys a relatively warmer climate than most of the other Canadian cities, with average temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius in August and 4 degrees Celsius in January. Vancouverites enjoy the outdoors both in summer and winter with activities such as swimming, bicycling, ice skating and ice hockey facilitated by the City of Vancouver.
Vancouver is the #1 Canadian destination in TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice in 2016 and yet again, the #1 recommended destination is the famous Stanley Park with its 27km long forest trail and 8.8km seawall offering a stunning view of English Bay.
Public Transportation in Vancouver
Public transportation including buses, SkyTrain and the Express train and SeaBuses connect Metro Vancouver – the 21 municipalities making up the greater Vancouver area. Translink manages Vancouver’s integrated transit system. The cost of fares or passes is available here.