I'm Devin Desaulniers, a Real Estate Associate with Axford Real Estate in Port Moody. I've lived in the Greater Vancouver area for 28 years, and for the last seven years I've been helping people relocate to and from Vancouver — as tenants who need a rental lined up before they arrive, or as buyers.
If you're moving from another province (or from elsewhere in BC), the hard part is usually the same: you need honest advice about areas, a realistic commute and a place that works before your furniture shows up. This page is a plain-language overview of Greater Vancouver, plus how I can help.
Greater Vancouver at a glance
Greater Vancouver is a collection of cities, each with its own feel, rents and commute. Here's a quick snapshot to start your shortlist:
Vancouver
Transit-rich, walkable and diverse neighbourhoods, with a mix of older and newer rentals.
SkyTrain: Expo, Millennium and Canada lines, plus frequent buses.
Burnaby + New Westminster
Often good value, with many condo options close to SkyTrain.
SkyTrain: Expo and Millennium lines.
Richmond
Shopping and airport access, with many condo communities.
Canada Line to downtown Vancouver and YVR.
North Shore
North and West Vancouver: outdoor access, family-friendly neighbourhoods and a relaxed lifestyle.
Lions Gate or Ironworkers Memorial bridge, or the SeaBus from Lonsdale Quay to Waterfront.
Tri-Cities, BC
Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody: parks, trails and a mix of condos, townhomes and suites. I work in Port Moody and play soccer in Port Coquitlam, so this is the area I know especially well.
Millennium Line (Evergreen Extension) and the weekday West Coast Express.
Surrey + Langley
More space and newer rentals, with a wider range of prices — and longer commutes for some.
Expo Line in Surrey; the Surrey–Langley SkyTrain extension is under construction.
Getting around
TransLink runs SkyTrain, buses, the SeaBus and the West Coast Express commuter rail (weekday rush-hour service between Mission and Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver). Driving times vary a lot by bridge and time of day, so tell me where you'll work or study and I'll factor the commute into every shortlist. Buying in the Tri-Cities, BC? See my neighbourhood guides.
Renting in B.C.: the basics
A few rules and habits that protect you, especially when you're renting from out of province:
- Deposits are capped. A security deposit can be at most half of one month's rent, and a pet damage deposit (if applicable) at most another half month.
- Rent increases are limited. Rent can go up only once every 12 months, by no more than the annual limit (2.3% for 2026, 2.2% for 2027), and your landlord must give three full months' written notice.
- Do a move-in condition inspection with the landlord, document the existing condition and keep a copy of the report.
- Get it in writing: rent, term, utilities, parking, pets, occupants and any special terms.
- Verify before you pay. Confirm the property and the person you're dealing with before sending money, and be cautious of wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency or pressure to pay before a viewing.
Have your application ready
Photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, an employment or offer letter, or bank statements / a Notice of Assessment if you're self-employed), landlord and employer references, and a short renter profile. A credit report you get yourself can speed things up.
The full checklist — budget, viewings, applications and move-in — is in my free Greater Vancouver renter's guide (PDF).
General information only, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the B.C. Residential Tenancy Branch.
How I help relocating tenants
You don't have to wait until you land to secure a rental. My tenant-side relocation rental service is $1,500 total + GST, paid by the tenant — $750 at the beginning of the engagement (non-refundable) and $750 once you successfully secure a rental. It includes:
- A personalized consultation on your budget, commute, lifestyle and priorities, including green flags and red flags to watch for
- A rental search across Greater Vancouver, in the areas we agree on, with early access through Axford Real Estate's own rental opportunities
- Showings — I attend with you, or do live video walkthroughs with floor plans while you're still out of province
- Lease review & negotiation before you sign
I represent your search on the tenant side — not a landlord's inventory. (Axford also has a separate property management business; this service is different.)
Most Greater Vancouver rentals list only a few weeks before they're available, so the active search usually starts about 4–6 weeks before move-in. Use the weeks before that to settle your budget, areas and documents.
How I help relocating buyers
For buyers moving to Greater Vancouver:
Pre-move planning
Budget, an area shortlist, strata vs freehold trade-offs, and what good value actually looks like right now.
Remote-friendly search
Video tours, floor plans and clear notes on condition, strata documents and comparable sales, so you're not flying blind from another province.
Offer strategy and negotiation
Local market pace, subject clauses and timelines that fit a cross-province move.
Closing through move-in
Coordination with your lawyer or notary, lender and movers so the handoff is calm.
Start with your budget using my free mortgage affordability calculator, then ask me to send you listings.
Office: Axford Real Estate, 2326 Clarke St, Port Moody, BC V3H 1Y8. Licensed since 2020.
Relocating to Greater Vancouver: common questions
Who can help me relocate to Greater Vancouver from another province?
I can. I'm Devin Desaulniers, a Real Estate Associate with Axford Real Estate in Port Moody. I've lived in the Greater Vancouver area for 28 years, I've been licensed since 2020, and for the last seven years I've been helping people relocate to and from Vancouver — as tenants who need a rental lined up before they arrive, or as buyers.
Should I rent or buy first when moving to Greater Vancouver?
It depends on your timeline, down payment and how sure you are about areas. Some people rent for 6–12 months to learn the commute and the neighbourhoods, then buy. Others buy first if financing and timing are solid. I can help with either path — a tenant-side rental search or buyer representation — and I'll be honest about which fits your dates.
Which part of Greater Vancouver should I live in?
Start with your commute, budget and lifestyle. Vancouver suits people who want walkable, transit-rich neighbourhoods; Burnaby and New Westminster offer many condo options near SkyTrain; Richmond has the Canada Line and airport access; the North Shore suits outdoor lovers who can manage a bridge or SeaBus commute; the Tri-Cities, BC and Surrey/Langley offer more space. Tell me where you'll work or study and your hours, and I'll shortlist areas that match.
Can you help me find a rental in Greater Vancouver before I move?
Yes. That's the core of my tenant-side relocation rental service: I search across Greater Vancouver (in the areas we agree on), attend showings or do live video walkthroughs with floor plans, negotiate on your behalf and review the lease with you — so you're not wiring a deposit to a scam listing from out of province. See how the relocation rental service works.
How much does tenant-side relocation rental help cost?
$1,500 total + GST, paid by the tenant, in two parts: $750 at the beginning of the engagement (non-refundable) and $750 once you successfully secure a rental. It covers a personalized consultation, the property search, showings (in person or virtual), and lease review & negotiation.
How far ahead should I contact an agent when relocating to Greater Vancouver?
For renting, settle your preferences early, then expect the active search about 4–6 weeks before move-in, because most listings appear close to availability. For buying, reach out as soon as your move date and budget are roughly known — often 2–4+ months out — so we can watch inventory and get you lender-ready.
Do you only work in the Tri-Cities, BC?
No. I help tenants and buyers across Greater Vancouver. I work in Port Moody, so the Tri-Cities, BC — Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody — are an area I know especially well, and I regularly search Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and other parts of the region. We'll define your search area up front.
How do I start working with Devin Desaulniers on a Greater Vancouver relocation?
Call or text 604-809-1032, email devin@axfordrealestate.ca, or message me through my REALTOR.ca profile. Share your move date, whether you're renting or buying, your budget and must-haves (beds, parking, pets, transit). Renting? You can also fill out the rental search intake form. I'll reply with next steps and a clear scope.