Campaign Setting: Vancouver?, New to Shadowrun, thinking of starting a campaign set in Vancouver Options

[rebelcan]

Hey!

So I just recently picked up the Shadowrun 4e rule book, and I'm starting to get some ideas together so I can start running a campaign for some friends.

I've already got some ideas as to the first mission, just a simple smash and grab and run like hell ( B&E with the possibility of a vehicle chase ). Not too many mooks, something nice and easy to ease the players ( and me ) into the Shadowrun rules ( they're used to d20 style rules, from what I know ). What I'd like to do is create a campaign that's set in the same area that me and my players are ( Vancouver, BC ) so that when describing locations and whatnot, I can use physical landmarks that they're familiar with ( mountains, etc, not buildings ).

So what I'm wondering is this: besides the fact that Vancouver is located within the Salish-Shidhe Council territory/province/state/thing, is there anything else that I need to know? Prominent characters, special locations/haunts, various things I need to know?

I know that as gamemaster, I have pretty much total control over the story and setting, but anything that can help tie my setting in with the larger Shadowrun universe would be nice.

Also, I was wondering how other gm's out there portray arcologies. How do other gm's out there portray them? Giant cities in a bottle, with a several km footprint? Or Judge Dredd style megacities? Something in between? If Judge Dredd-style megacities is your answer, what's the distance between the outskirts of Bellingham and Vancouver ( or is there even a noticible distance, or do you just have a small suburb or a wall or something to show the border )?

Cheers, and thanks for any suggestions!