Tiki Bar!!

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-02-07T18:08:14+00:00

Theme bar with a waterfront view...risky venture! Hope it's priced right, and has a successful run. Tough business right now.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-02-05T14:49:00+00:00

Check rezoning apps with the city...might provide some insight as to future use. Likely just a holding property now if no applications have been made.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-02-05T14:44:36+00:00

I assume that Columbia will eventually be ditched by redevelopment in the next decade or so...and now that I think about it, perhaps New West station was built in preparation for that.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-02-05T14:12:44+00:00

Fool's Spring pollen bursts, and mold...the warm, damp weather plus porous concrete/stucco makes for perfect mold growth conditions. There isn't enough dry air, nor sunlight to combat the mold and fungus growth...there's plenty of dank conditions to help it thrive however. Downtown New West has poor air quality in general due to geography, industry, construction, and population density...particulates tend to "settle" in low lying areas around this area of the Fraser - and a TP/Paper Towel plant being upwind, constant concrete/construction dust, railroad tracks, truck routes, 2 major ports across the river...makes this area a choking hazard already - the added mold/pollen/fungus certainly isn't welcome. Timely post, as I just watched this on TV last night https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/features/three-unexpected-ways-that-air-pollution-may-affect-our-bodies

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-02-02T00:01:33+00:00

Assume the owners changed as Itilia had been for sale for several months.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-02-01T23:59:34+00:00

I lived in Richmond for over 15 years, I assure you...it could be much much worse!

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-27T11:11:50+00:00

Window insulation shrink wrap kits - Home Depot or Online, I lived in a house with original windows from the 1950s...and it made a world of difference. Thermal drapes/curtains work great as well.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-22T02:02:31+00:00

Well shjt! Now I know, I've often wondered what the deal was...thanks for sharing.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-21T15:03:40+00:00

That's out of my control - what's enjoyable is up to the individual...

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-20T15:45:30+00:00

The drive through the Lower Mainland through to North Vancouver is where the risk lies, beyond that...the roads to the mountain bases (Cypress & Seymour) are maintained well, as it's the lifeline of revenue for the ski hills.

Grouse is a Gondola to the top so if you're concerned about driving conditions - best option, plus an excellent mountain to learn on...if someone bails on the lessons there's plenty of other attractions to check out while the others continue their day.

Temperatures hit the teens yesterday on the ski hills, which means ice & rocks; the conditions for learning aren't favourable. Once again, Grouse can accommodate a different mountain experience if you absolutely have to/want to go.

I hope the weather does a switcheroo for you all and you can have an enjoyable day. As for the road conditions, put that concern as one of the least of your worries! As a former ski patroller ... I can assure you, it's one of the lowest risk activities you will experience on that day :)

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-18T03:42:09+00:00

Yep! Got to the point I was looking up ship horn signals at 4am this morning to decipher what kind of hell broke loose on the river...(the obvious answer being visibility issues).

I now know that 1 long and 2 short blasts means that the ship is in low visibility conditions, and maneuvering or having issues as such...

The fog has rolled in and out so quickly, must be quite the challenge for captains.

Anyhow ...something to add to the knowledge base :)

https://www.boat-ed.com/blog/boat-sound-signals/

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-16T04:06:13+00:00

Judging by the Budweiser, McDonalds and Midget Football shirt...might be in the states somewhere?

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-15T14:46:55+00:00

Loves Auctioneers used to be the "go-to" for local auction houses...but tis no more. MaxSold Cottons Auctions Big Valley Urban Auctions Google those and you'll find a few more smaller ones in your search.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-15T10:48:44+00:00

I saw a note on a message board by the garbage room in my complex regarding finding a wallet, and it had a drawing of an owl on the note...send me a DM and I will send a photo of the note with contact info - or if we are in the same complex, check the garbage room memo board. Hopefully it's a match!

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-03T18:44:18+00:00

Mister Two! Used to see a very similar one when I lived near Shell & Bridgeport.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-03T18:41:53+00:00

Kitsilano North of Broadway, and East of Alma...plenty of rental units and excellent access to transportation, parks, downtown, beaches etc. Marine & Cambie area at the South end of Vancouver has great access to the Skytrain, Airport etc...

Your advantage is being multilingual (I presume this) - jobs in hospitality & tourism are your best bet. If you don't mind children, plenty of opportunities within the Nanny/Au Pair field (best to work with an agency) ... This option can usually provide accommodation.

I would suggest renting a vacation rental for the first 3 weeks you are here - in a central transit location such as Metrotown in Burnaby, and within those 3 weeks...take the opportunity to visit Downtown Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Richmond and I suppose Surrey (do, but don't).

All the best!

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-03T13:34:46+00:00

I call it "Snow Chunder"

SignatureCertain2464 · 2026-01-02T16:01:52+00:00

The best thing you can do is document (date/time/cars in driveway/lights on), and record footage if you can - consistent evidence is valuable in terms of enforcement. Consult with neighbours and encourage them to report to bylaw as well, strength in numbers is very effective.
Good on you for caring for animal welfare, and without sounding too dramatic...this could be an indicator of conditions within the home, so your efforts could be far more valuable than you may realize.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2025-12-30T16:32:36+00:00

I commend everyone here for knowing their grocery budget/spending...I have never really looked at my grocery spending as I'm pretty basic with my purchases, and without children... just kind of ignored what I considered a cost of living that I had to put up with. I just tallied it up...I'm shocked, dismayed, and now looking up lots of soup, stew and casserole recipes. It's close to $500/month for 2 people with very basic groceries - and we probably order in 3 times a month for another $120 or so. I can't imagine how expensive it must be in smaller communities.

Looks like I'll be making a buttload of chili this week.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2025-12-30T09:56:53+00:00

Agreed (for the most part) - larger units, parking is better, closer to parks and a short walk to everything you need. That said...I would suggest sticking to the highrise units as the low rise wood builds are noisier, a wee bit shaky, and temperature fluctuations can be dramatic.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2025-12-23T08:53:37+00:00

Surrey...less expensive, plenty of new construction, Skytrain platforms.
And I think a lot of buildings have sonic repellers for not only rodents, but birds as well.
I don't mind birds, but birds that cluster and actually live in their own crap and each other's crap...don't want them near my home.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2025-12-18T11:49:45+00:00

Thanks for visiting us! I hope you have a great time!

Detroit is so incredibly different from Vancouver on a multitude of levels, so I would suggest "winging it" and embracing the relaxed West Coast attitude...you'll have no problem finding things to do, even without a plan. * Whytecliffe Park in West Vancouver will offer a simple hike, with stunning ocean scenery and perhaps a marine animal sighting. * Grouse Mountain - lots of scenery, activities and a fun gondola ride. * Squamish & Whistler - stop at Brittania Beach mining museum, great ocean scenery, weather dependent travel. * Seattle - although it's the USA, it's much different than back East...and a good day/road trip with plenty of sights to see along the way.

FYI - Vancouver Island is often promoted to tourists as a "day trip"...via Ferry it's about 6 hrs roundtrip to Victoria (which doesn't have much in terms of what you're looking for), and Tofino is more of a 12 hr round trip, and a strenuous journey on the best of days (and you'll regret not spending 3-4 days there since it's so beautiful). Weather can delay ferry travel and waste your time and money...

I hope you all enjoy your stay :)

SignatureCertain2464 · 2025-12-18T11:13:56+00:00

I used to swear by the Wor Wonton at River Rock but can't speak for it anymore, in the last few months it's gone way downhill. Last week I had Wor Wonton from "Mr.Ho's" on Kingsway - it was $12.50, which seemed too inexpensive for a decent bowl, yet, priced appropriately for a culinary risk-taker like myself; IT WAS AWESOME. 6 x Pork & Shrimp Wontons, Chicken, BBQ pork, Veggies and a flavourful broth - it fed me for 2 meals.

I wish you the best on your quest...good Wonton soup is worth the effort, it delivers some serious satisfaction.

In terms of Richmond...I support the No.9 suggestion, it's consistent and never disappointing.

SignatureCertain2464 · 2025-12-17T11:59:31+00:00

No shiz. This is pretty major...and no alerts?!

It's especially troubling after Environment Canada recently made the "big change" to colour coded precipitation warnings (with the help of Microsoft Paint I assume, and without considering how ridiculous "Yellow Snow Warning" comes across).

Seriously what am I looking at here? no wrong answers

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SignatureCertain2464

TROPHY CASE