trouncer

Hi all,
I just wanted to know if there were any gay people on this forum moving to Vancouver ? or elsewhere ? give advice ? suggestions ? Stories ?

We know how welcoming and broadminded they are of the community (having been there 3 times) and how things are there but just wanted more personal stories, and correspondence. Perhaps your'e just thinking about it ? or you're already there and have been awhile ? We already have our PR's but never seem to read any threads of people similar to us. We could do with some knowledge and help in all areas.

Also, anyone who is making the move (not necessarily gay) in the latter part of there years eg. 50's on upwards ? How you dealt with finding a job at that age ? acceptance ? Pension issues ? accomodation ? etc.

All comments and advise more than welcome. Thanks in anticipation.

Londonuck

One of my best mates is gay in Vancouver. He is from Vancouver not Britain. You dont get any aggro there according to him. He lives in the West End area downtown near English Bay. That's the 'gay' area.

trouncer

Thanks Londonuck. Westend, English Bay is an area we'd like to live too but some of the more decent places are very expensive. I think it's great you have a best mate whose gay. I like that broadmindedness.

We are a straight acting couple and love the place but I just feel it would be good to know someone who has been through the process although I know it's not any different to non-gay people. It's just the percpective and view.

Londonuck

Yea you might wanna take up bank robbery to get into the west end, maybe not English banks though. I think Vancouverites are quite broadminded when it comes to gay people. Cant speak for the rest of the country. They didnt travel much into the interior of BC though. They always went to the Island and Tofino for their hols.

Sharonanana

Hey trouncer,

we're moving to Vancouver early next year and have always had good vibes from the place. I grew up in Vancouver and am moving back after many years away, with my English partner.

One interesting exchange I read on a gay/lesbian forum a while ago about Vancouver has always stuck with me:
Someone asked why there were so few lesbian bars/social clubs/help groups available online and based in Vancouver.
Several people replied that there used to be loads of these groups in the 80s but since then they seem to have faded away, as being gay/lesbian is seen as just 'mainstream' and therefore people didn't seek their own, specialised groups any more.

Thought it was interesting.

I also read another forum where one family (two dads) moved to East Van from Calgary. When they took their kid to the local playgroup they were shocked to find 6 out of the 10 kids in the group had gay parents. If I remember correctly the two Dads in question were a little taken aback at being so 'common' all of a sudden. I think maybe they were a little disappointed, too

I don't live there yet, so can't give you any more 'real' info than that, but I can certainly agree with your impression that people seem very welcoming and broadminded.


PM me, if you like

Anna

startwin

The west end is affordable if you don't live in a newer high-rise. My son's apartment (1 bdrm in an older, decent building) is less than $900/mo. He's married, not gay, and the west end is a huge mix of gays and ethnics and a great place to live.

Rich_007

Travel advisory in full effect.

R.

R I C H

I was at dinner with a group of friends last night, and by coincidence this comment rings true. An old school friend of someone decided to 'come out', but waited until they'd left BC's interior (Williams Lake) for a job in Vancouver.

It wasn't deemed an appropriate place to declare a same-sex relationship. This was only in the past couple of years.

trouncer

Thanks for all your replies guys. Much appreciated...

Sharonanana : Not sure what your circumstances are or where you are in the UK. Have you got a place to sell or have you cut all your ties and ready to go over in the new year ? We're having a nightmare with trying to sell and that's our only problem (apart from the emotional ties of leaving family of course). I also noticed when we were there, not many lesbian bars, places in the 'gay district' (Davies) but I hear commercial drive is more popular for lesbians (you probably know better then I) ? We didn't really spend enough time there to find out. Which area are you hoping to move into ? Do you have contacts there already to help with accommodation etc. ? What about your job situations here and in Vancouver ?

Starwin : We went round with a Realtor on our last visit and although we didn't get round all the 'open houses', that weekend, the ones we saw weren't all new highrise. Although the older apartments/condo's with character look really nice, the ones on for sale seemed a little ropey especially for the price they were asking. All the nice ones are either too expensive or not for sale. I'm hoping the housing downturn will help us a little in affording something within our range. BTW, what's everyones thoughts about Lower Lonsdale as an area to live ?

Londonuck : I've never been to Tofino. Might have to do a search on the web for that place and what it's got to offer. I like that gays and straights are pals and the openess. I like a quiet drink and a chat as much as the next guy.

Any other comments, please feel welcome, especially about being over 50 and finding a job. It's a bit of a worry. My field is in IT Networks BTW.

R I C H

Tofino's a great place to visit, well worth the time and trouble. Finding an IT networking job there is highly unlikely.

Sharonanana

We're in the fortunate position of not having anything to sell at the moment, as we've been renting our London flat.
(I never thought that renting would become such an advantage all of a sudden!)

We're also lucky that my parents live in Vancouver and have very kindly offered us their basement as temporary accommodation on arrival. Not sure how long we'll last in that basement, but it is at least somewhere to eat and sleep while we sort out jobs, cars, banks and a mortgage.

We're also quite fortunate in that we have job offers already, so are hoping to have some income fairly quickly.
This could of course all go down the pan as soon as we get there- the best laid plans, and all that...

If all goes to plan we'll be landing at beautiful Vancouver airport in mid February! Woo-hoo!!


Oh, and you should definitely check out Tofino. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to- and I've been back a lot.
Probably not as a place to live (unless you've always dreamed of owning your own whale watching charter boat), but a magical place to visit all year round.

jancal

I think you will feel completely at home in Vancouver - great place totally laid back people.

I love Vancouver and I wish you all the very best. How exciting!!!

rgilbert

Would agree with this. Tofino is lovely for a vacation.

Aviator

Way out on the west coast of the island, very limited work ops, unless you are into basement horticulture. If the 200 year earthquake hits anytime soon, Tofino is one of the first to go in the tsunami. Great sandy beach and a great little airstrip by the beach for fleeting visits.

Novocastrian

Ah. Some realism.