Removals to Vancouver with The Moving Partnership
Vancouver is one of the most popular cities for British expats, with more than 30,000 people from the UK now calling it their home – and it takes its name from an explorer who was born in Norfolk. Here The Moving Partnership, who offer removals from the UK to Vancouver, puts the spotlight on the Canadian city, and how we can help you to relocate there.
The Heritage and History
Vancouver, a city in western Canada with a population of well over 600,000 people, is named after the British explorer George Vancouver. He was born in King’s Lynn in Norfolk and first set foot in the settlement in 1792; he also has a number of other places named after him (notably the two Mount Vancouvers, one on the Canada/Alaska border, and the other in New Zealand).
Europeans first settled there in numbers around 100 years later; the growth of the city was aided by the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. This encouraged migration to the area, initially from the Chinese but later from other Asians and Europeans
Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, and it contributes around $10bn to Canada’s GDP every year. Other industries which are major employers are forestry, mining and technology (including software development and video games).
Getting There and Getting Around
Vancouver International Airport (code YVR) lies to the south of the city and has terminals for local, national and international departures. You can get to the city centre on the SkyTrain service in about 25 minutes (or by taxi). There are a number of smaller airports in the region, but these don’t handle international passengers.
Another way in is via the Pacific Ocean - there are two ferry terminals (Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen), although neither of these are that close to the city centre.
SkyTrain is the name for the city’s main public transport system – it runs under- and overground trains on three lines across the city. There are also half a dozen bus companies which operate services in Vancouver. And, in common with many major cities these days, it also has an extensive network of cycle lanes.
The Main Attractions
If you are into your science and technology, then try Science World (with its distinctive dome) which has a range of interactive displays and exhibitions; there’s also a virtual reality flight simulator at FlyOver Canada so you can see all the sights of the city and the country without having to actually go there.
If you prefer experiencing everything in person, the city has a Lookout Tower which goes up 168 metres and affords you great views over all of Vancouver. Another way of seeing the sights (again, provided you have a head for heights) is to take a skyride up nearby Grouse Mountain.
At ground level, Vancouver’s most visited attraction is Stanley Park, pictured. This is at the tip of the city’s downtown peninsular and offers walking, cycling, and beaches; there’s also plenty of wildlife to see, and the park also hosts artists and concerts in summer.
Eating Out and Shopping Around
Given that Vancouver is on Canada’s west coast, it should come as no surprise that there’s plenty of fresh seafood on the city’s restaurant menus – notably salmon, crabs, oysters and prawns. However, it’s also one of the most multicultural of cities, with a mix of Asian and European cultures and this is also reflected on the city’s dinner plates. One of the most popular dishes is Japadog, a hot dog with the sausage but also a lot of Asian elements including seaweed flakes, teriyaki sauce, wasabi and kimchi.
If you are looking for somewhere to shop, then the Metropolis at Meltdown (in the Burnaby district) is the largest mall in Vancouver and the largest in the whole of British Columbia – as well as all the major brand names, it’s also home to a cinema and plenty of restaurants.
The Granville Island public market is the best for fresh produce; it does sell some arts and crafts items, but for these you are best going to the flea market on Terminal Avenue (quite close to the city’s Chinatown district).
Removals from the UK to Vancouver with The Moving Partnership
If you are considering removals from the UK to Vancouver, then The Moving Partnership can help you. We can also help with international removals to all the other parts of Canada, including Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec and many other destinations.
Our contacts in the international removals sector means we can put together a competitively priced package which will be tailored to your exact needs. For more information, follow this link; you can also call us on 0800 772 3709.
