Well we made it! The queue to get through immigration was 3 hrs and my GHDs don't work (wrong voltage argh!!!!) but apart from that things have gone really well so far. We have a Canadian bank account and 'cell phones' and have applied for our social security numbers.

Vancouver city is huge but feels really safe and clean and shiny. The smile at people in the street test is running at a 99% friendly natives rating too :o)