vancouver_skill

Overview

This skill helps you navigate Vancouver as a visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur. It delivers neighborhood comparisons, transit guidance, cost snapshots, immigration pathways, and practical local insights. Use it to plan visits, moves, job searches, or business setup with up-to-date, actionable details.

How this skill works

I determine your role (tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur) and timeline (short visit, planning to move, already local) and load targeted guidance. The skill inspects neighborhoods, transit options, housing and cost data, immigration pathways, and local services to produce customized recommendations and checklists. It also highlights weather realities, common traps, and sector-specific notes like tech salaries and startup resources.

When to use it

• Planning a short trip (1–7 day itineraries, day trips, where to stay).
• Preparing to move: housing search, documents, cost comparisons, and settling-in steps.
• Evaluating job offers or relocating as a tech worker (salary bands, neighborhoods near employers).
• Applying for immigration pathways (Express Entry, BC PNP, work/study permits).
• Starting a business or incorporating in BC with local compliance and funding tips.

Best practices

• Identify your primary role and timeline up front so recommendations match needs.
• Have rental documents ready (employment letter, references, credit info) — listings move fast.
• Budget for high housing and hidden costs (12% PST+GST, 18–20% tipping, transit, childcare).
• Use SkyTrain and SeaBus where possible; living near a station often removes need for a car.
• Plan for rainy winters: pack proper rainwear and consider light therapy for seasonal mood effects.

Example use cases

• Visitor: a 3-day downtown and North Shore outdoor itinerary with dining and transit tips.
• Newcomer: step-by-step moving checklist including SIN, MSP registration, local banking, and cellphone setup.
• Tech worker: neighborhood match near major employers, salary expectations, and BC Tech Pilot guidance.
• Student: affordable neighborhoods near UBC or SFU, transit passes, and part-time work permit notes.
• Entrepreneur: business setup checklist, incorporation basics, and funding/startup ecosystem overview.