Check these apps out!
When you arrive in Vancouver and do not know the city, maps.me can be very helpful!
Maps.me creates routes to go on foot, driving or using public transport, without having to be connected to the internet.
This application is very useful, easy to use and free. In addition, you can use it anywhere in the world! Let’s say that maps.me offers me the same services as google maps but with the added benefit that it doesn’t require you to use data.
Its use is very simple, you just have to download the application on your mobile device and download the map of the places where you want to have gps without an internet connection. To download the map, you need an internet connection.
It is very important to download the map before going to the country or city where you would like to have this service; otherwise you must find a place with wifi in order to download the maps.
Once the map is downloaded, you can create your routes and go from one site to another without using Internet data.
I have used Maps me in all my travels in Europe, the United States, Mexico and Canada and it works wonders! Your locator / gps finder is great, and is updated quite often, so many times you do not even need to indicate the address. Only indicating the name of the hotel / public place / museum / bar / restaurant etc. will be enough for the route to be calculated.
Summary:
- Download the Maps app me (Internet needed)
- Download the maps of the countries / cities where you need to create routes and enjoy the service. (Internet needed)
- Create routes and move from one place to another around the world without the need of an internet connection!
Food Delivery
Lazy days in Vancouver? Of course, it rains a lot! Once you live in Vancouver, you want to order food from home.
Those rainy days when you are with your friends and do not feel like leaving home to go to dinner / eat; you feel too lazy to cook, or you just want some type of sushi, tacos, pizza, hamburger, etc.
The most used apps in Vancouver are: Skip the dishes, Uber eats, Just Eat, Lazymeal, WowTasty (Android only), Vancouver Street Food, Door dash and Foodora.
Car sharing
Evo Car share and Car 2 Go are the 2 car-sharing companies that offer their services as an alternative rather than buy your own car in Vancouver, BC.
If you want to use this service to move from one place to another in the city, you must first have a valid driver’s license/permit. If you would like to drive in Vancouver, you must have an international driving license/permit (it is legally valid during the first 3 months of your stay). The other option is to opt for the Canadian driver’s license.
To use Car 2 Go, the company requires a driver’s license issued in British Columbia. To use Evo Car share car-sharing services, you can drive with your current international driver’s license after submitting your driving file (you need an official translation into English), and one of the Evo car share agents will review your file to evaluate if your profile is apt or not apt.
If you really need to use this mean of transport, and you have a driver’s license from your home country, I strongly recommend Evo car share as the first option. On the other hand, Car 2 Go requires you to obtain a Canadian driver’s license, with the costs and time involved in obtaining a new driver’s license.
If your intention is to stay in Canada long term then, you may be interested in obtaining a driver’s license issued here. This way you will also be able to use Car 2 Go services.
How does the app work?
In both cases:
- Download the app on your mobile device.
- Register your user profile. Before registering, you must visit an office of the car sharing company to verify all personal information and driving license.
- You can now drive from one side of the city to the other!
Netflix
In Vancouver, television is paid. Maybe in your country television is public and you can enjoy it without an additional monthly cost, but if you come to study or work in Vancouver you should know that if you want to watch TV you have to pay.
Cable TV has a minimum monthly cost of approx. C $ 100 + fees. Also, if you want to watch cable TV you must buy a device that costs another C $ 100 + fees and add the cost of the installation service. This implies an initial outlay of approximately C $ 300
If you want to watch Netflix you can enjoy movies and series for approx. C $ 12 per month.
During my student days in Vancouver, I hired cable TV, but in the end I decided it was an unnecessary expense because I did not have time to watch TV. That’s why my recommendation is Netflix. If you come to study in Vancouver, your time will be busy going to school, studying and enjoying time with your new friends (not watching TV). When it’s sunny and the weather is good you’ll want to enjoy the beach, the mountains and the beauty of the city.
In the event that watching TV is a priority for you, or you are interested in watching a specific cable TV program or channel, you will have no other option but to buy this service. If you find yourself in this situation, you should know that the companies that offer cable television services usually have promotions and special discounts for students. Before hiring, inform yourself, ask and compare.
If you’re not a big fan of television, Netflix will be more than enough to satisfy your need for television entertainment.
Groupon
Groupon is one of my favorite apps. You can enjoy restaurants, activities, beauty services, trips, etc. At a reduced price.
Vancouver, BC is a city with a high quality of life, and in terms of leisure and beauty prices skyrocket. Let’s suppose you want to go out to dinner there. You’re with a couple of friends and dinner at the restaurant would cost you about C $ 150 plus fees. If you had used the app, (and the restaurant appeared in the list of restaurants), with the discount Voucher Groupon the dinner could cost C $ 50 – C $ 60 dollars in total. In this case you and your friends would be saving C $ 30 dollars each.
To give you an idea of the average cost of leisure and entertainment in Vancouver, a basic dinner for 2 in a restaurant that is not central C $ 53. If you want to go to the cinema, 2 tickets will cost you C $ 28, if you want to go to the theater C $ 88, A cocktail in downtown C $ 12, a cappucino coffee C $ 4.72, a C $ 7 beer, a pack of cigars Marlboro C $ 14. To all this you have to add a plus for taxes. If you’re in a restaurant, you should also add a 15% tip for the service.
Here is a link on how to take a look at the cost of living in Vancouver.
Another benefit of this app is that it allows you to try new things (for example, beauty treatments, activities such as parachute jumping, jet ski, scape room, restaurants, hotels …). Maybe some of these activities wouldn’t be affordable for you at the regular price, however, groupon allows you to enjoy them at a promotional price if you dare.
One tip is to read the fine print, since sometimes the purchased services have conditions. For example, if you want to hire a jet ski you will be usually asked an additional fee of C $ 12 for insurance costs, that payment will be asked once you are there in person. Sometimes there are restrictions on the dates of use, for example in restaurants, the use of the Voucher may only accepted from Monday to Thursday.
Groupon Vouchers have a validity limit. This means that from the day you buy it you will have time until the expiry date to use it, otherwise, it’s not going to be valid anymore. Read the terms and conditions to ensure that you are hiring a deserving service. In this way, if they claim some kind of extra cost in the establishment, you could refer to the terms and conditions of the voucher contract so that they won’t be able to overcharge you.
How to use Groupon?
- Download the app on your mobile device (you can also do it from your laptop)
- Find the services / activities that you would like to hire
- Enter your personal information
- You can now enjoy your Voucher!
Each year, more than 250,000 students from more than 100 different nationalities decide to come to Canada to study. The reasons? High academic standards, world recognition, affordable education, multiculturalism, safe and healthy living environment, possibility to work (a work permit is needed), and a spectacular natural environment.
If you would like to improve your level of English or to train in a professional area in Canada email us at international@uvanu.com and we will help you choose the program that best suits your needs absolutely free!
We will also manage your visa and advise you on everything you need in order to make your stay in Canada fabulous. Email us and get to know everything we can do for you for free!!!
You may also be interested in: Benefits of choosing your English training course with Uvanu International,