Helpful resources
A short, honest list of independently-run sites we recommend when a newcomer question goes beyond what we cover here. Nothing on this page is sponsored. The first three are sister projects by the same author as VanCityGuide — disclosed openly because pretending otherwise would be the only thing worth hiding.
Free Canadian calculators for mortgage payments, salary after tax (BC and provincial), and basic tax math. No sign-up, no upsell — just the math.
When it's useful
Sanity-checking a Vancouver rent budget, estimating after-tax pay before accepting an offer, or running a quick mortgage scenario on a place you're considering.
Practice questions and study guides for Canadian professional exams — ICBC driving (Class 7, 5, 4), Canadian Citizenship Test, and certification prep. Free tier covers most of what you'd otherwise pay for.
When it's useful
If you're studying for the BC driver's licence knowledge test, working toward the Citizenship Test, or prepping for a Canadian professional certification.
State-by-state walkthroughs for forming a US LLC — costs, filing process, ongoing compliance. Useful for cross-border founders.
When it's useful
Niche, but if you're a Canadian freelancer or founder weighing whether to form a US entity for cross-border work, this is the practical breakdown.
We add resources we've actually used and would recommend to a friend. If you run a free, useful tool or guide for newcomers to Greater Vancouver, get in touch. No paid placements.