Hey oppo, anyone from Vancouver?

"PlayerWAN" (PlayerWAN)
08/20/2013 at 02:35 • Filed to: None

I'm considering moving up there to change things up a bit, but I know basically no one there. Anyone from Canada care to chime in?

DISCUSSION (13)

RMudkips > PlayerWAN
08/20/2013 at 02:43

It's fun here in Canada. Toronto's also not so bad, but that's only because I live there.

PlayerWAN > RMudkips
08/20/2013 at 02:46

Toronto is my other choice, but I don't know anyone there either :P

greenagain > PlayerWAN
08/20/2013 at 03:07

Vancouver is a great place to live, but a bit pricey.
Toronto had winter. That sucks.

coriolis > RMudkips
08/20/2013 at 07:52

Edit: Reply fail to the wrong person lol.

Another Torontonian here. Vancouver is a lovely place, I'm not sure where you originally reside in, but I'd recommend doing some research on weather patterns (coastal rain rain rain) and costs of living (stupidly high).

Other than that, beautiful city.

Can't say much about the Canucks and their fanbase though ;)

coriolis > PlayerWAN
08/20/2013 at 07:53

Other than that, beautiful city.

Can't say much about the Canucks and their fanbase though ;)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

trynthink > PlayerWAN
08/20/2013 at 08:35

I'm not from Canada, but I am from Seattle, which is climatically similar to Vancouver, and I've been to the city at least a half-dozen times. It is definitely an expensive city, but it's great if you're into outdoor recreation: phenomenal skiing/snowboarding, hiking and backpacking, kayaking or canoeing, etc. The city itself is beautiful and clean, and there are a lot of good spots for running, if that's your thing. And I nearly forgot to mention that the weather is mild and cool all year. Because of its proximity to the Pacific, it also has dry summers and wet winters, instead of humid summers and bone-dry winters. The weather will seem miraculous if you're coming from someplace that sees big temperature swings like the midwest US.

Downsides include the inexplicable popularity of the Cavalier/Sunfire and all plastic-clad Pontiacs. Also the as-mentioned cost of living, and the omnipresence of condo towers. I'm sure a native can come up with more disadvantages.

Dunnik > PlayerWAN
08/20/2013 at 09:08

(Disclaimer: I'm from Toronto)

Vancouver (or "Van", as the locals call it) consistently rates as one of the best - if not the best - and most livable cities on Earth anytime such a listing is made (the Economist magazine, United Nations, think-tanks/public policy outfits).

That kinda of speaks for itself, but no city is perfect:

1. It rains in Van. A lot. Don't buy a used car with a sunroof, unless you have the cash to ensure it's well-sealed and working well. Buy the best wet rating tires you can get. Ensure your windshield wipers are replaced every six months or less. Oh, and bring an umbrella.

2. Van has a lot of traffic. Not as bad as some cities in North America, but bad enough, mostly due to the fact that it's a prisoner of its geography - the city is crammed in between the mountains and the sea, and the Burrard Inlet splits the city in two, requiring bridging to get across: bridges that are always jammed with cars.

3. Real Estate prices. If you intend to buy property, bring money. Lots of money. If you're renting, you'll also pay a premium if you want to live in or near downtown.

4. Cost of Living is high. Hopefully you've lined up a job that pays well. If not, allow me to introduce you to that staple of Canadians on a budget, Kraft Dinner (or "KD"). You'll be eating a lot of it. And don't forget that Canadians pay far more in taxes than Americans, especially in terms of gas and beer/liquor prices.

5. Politics. Vancouver has always skewed to the left of the political spectrum. A nd that's to the left of the rest of Canada , which is itself to the left of the United States. One of the nicknames for this part of the country, as a play on its location on the west coast, is "The Left Coast". Many Americans would find this political climate to be inhospitable.

alexotics > PlayerWAN
08/20/2013 at 11:44

Hey, I'm from Vancouver! Been here for 12 years, and recently spent a year in Toronto for work. Here are my $0.02.

- Yes it rains, but it doesn't bother anyone since it's one and off with beautiful days mixed in between. It can be a bit foggy around Xmas and the first few months of the year. But it barely snows in the city, so you don't need winter tires! :D

- It's an expensive and liberal city. You'll find more millionaires on bicycles than anywhere else in the world. But it's a clean and safe city. The downtown core is a happening place with lots of cool spots (Gastown, Yaletown, English Bay, False Creek, Athletes Village, Lonsdale Quay).

- There's tons of jobs if you're willing to work up North (great pay, free lodging) and come down to Vancouver for 5 day weekends once every two weeks. Otherwise, recent new offices opened by Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite, new startup incubators, and a few key oil companies have amped up the job opportunities downtown.

- Traffic is surprisingly smooth in and around downtown. But if you're commuting from the valley than you're in for a nightmare. The bridges take some skillful timing and getting used to if you're hoping for a smooth commute.

- There's a massive diversity of people. Almost as if the world was shrunk down in to one city. We all live together peacefully and intermingled.

- You'll see some of the nicest cars in the world here.

- Everyone is healthy and plays sports. There isn't much snobbery here. Even the country clubs focus around sports instead of fine dining and valet parking.

- When you're here, go visit Grouse Mountain. You'll need to take a gondola up from North Vancouver but you'll be rewarded with a great overview of the city. In the summertime you'll get to see bears and a lumberjack show. And in the wintertime there's great skiing and boarding. One of the world's best resorts is only an 80 minute drive away. (Whistler).

- The border is only a 45 minute drive from the city. Seattle is a 3 hour drive.

- Great air quality. Great drinking water.

PlayerWAN > trynthink
08/20/2013 at 14:04

I am actually in the midwest (fucking Kansas at that...) so the weather is a big part of what makes me want to do this. However, as others have mentioned, the higher cost of living would be something I'd need to adjust to, especially when my current town is one of the cheapest in the country to live in. Thanks for the info though!

PlayerWAN > alexotics
08/20/2013 at 14:09

Great info! thanks a lot. What do you mean by "work up north"? Like how far up north? I wouldn't mind commuting a bit to my job.

alexotics > PlayerWAN
08/20/2013 at 14:19

For natural gas, oil, pulp and paper jobs it'll be at least an 8 hour commute. The jobs pay well for anyone that's got no relevant work experience to tradesmen and all the way up to engineers from literally any background.

PlayerWAN > Dunnik
08/20/2013 at 14:19

So rather than buy winter tires, rain tires would be a better investment huh? Good tip, I appreciate it. The traffic comment is also great info that I should consider when choosing a DD. Seems like a wise choice would be a comfortable car with a semi auto (and without a sunroof haha). Also, as I mentioned to someone else earlier, the cost of living is the one thing that may throw me off at first, especially when you consider that my current town is one of the cheapest in the States when it comes to rent and cost of living. Luckily for me I'm well versed in the art of making the best out of my money (eating on the cheap). Again, thanks for the great info!

PlayerWAN > coriolis
08/20/2013 at 14:22

I have done some research on the weather patterns, which is one of the main attractions that make me want to move there, but everyone is mentioning the cost of living, which I had no idea about. Is it comparable to New York and San Francisco (aka: stupidly high)? What can you tell me about Toronto? I'm trying to weigh my options here :D