as some one that has lived in vancouver montreal and a couple places in between. the commercial drive area is wonderfuck google vancouver eat van commercial drive. cheapest food from shops we are talking half the price of safeway etc. tons of pubs and bars and still quite after 1130ish on weekdays. mtl awesome, alberta good pay but nothing to do, GVRD commercial drive is where its at. its the hub of vancvouer TD core is 15 min drive in rush hour going out to the burbs is against the flow of traffic in the morning on the highways. or public transit we are awesome too once again hub of the GVRD east west north and south. people are nice etc. just an idea for place of living after the hostel.
if you have any thoughts just pm me.
hope it helps you out.