Vancouver, don't get it.
#1
Vancouver, don't get it.
So we went to Vancouver. A city with a fantastic setting but a built environment akin to a high rise council estate (or scheme if you're from Scotland). Transit seemed expensive and doesn't well serve great chunks of the town, food seemed expensive, housing is unarguably expensive and most of the housing on offer is flats, there are very few houses. It's not a town with much of a social scene so we're told people stay at home and watch TV, it's in Canada so the TV's not very good. It rains a lot but it doesn't snow to speak of, I suppose that counts as a benign climate, rather like New Zealand. It's not dangerous but it's not interesting either and, shit, for the price of living in Vancouver, you could live in London; the London, exciting city, near to Paris, hub for cheap airlines.
It seemed to us that one may as well be damp and bored in New Zealand and have cheap sheep. Or, if one wants ocean in Canada, move to Halifax and have bars with music (ok, lots of squidley diddley but it is music, you can dance if you want to).
G'won tell me what me missed, why would anyone live in say, Kitsilano, when for that money, they could afford to live in Camden Town? Why would anyone shell out Hampstead money to live near UBC when there's nothing at all there except other expensive houses?
It seemed to us that one may as well be damp and bored in New Zealand and have cheap sheep. Or, if one wants ocean in Canada, move to Halifax and have bars with music (ok, lots of squidley diddley but it is music, you can dance if you want to).
G'won tell me what me missed, why would anyone live in say, Kitsilano, when for that money, they could afford to live in Camden Town? Why would anyone shell out Hampstead money to live near UBC when there's nothing at all there except other expensive houses?
#2
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
94 views and no comments yet. Me, I was just going to make some popcorn and get comfortable.
#3
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
#4
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Well I know we weren't too impressed with Vancouver when we were there, but then we did get badly lost in a RV with the MIL in the back and we were only there for one night, so it wasn't the best experience
#5
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Transit seemed expensive and doesn't well serve great chunks of the town,
food seemed expensive,
housing is unarguably expensive and most of the housing on offer is flats, there are very few houses.
It's not a town with much of a social scene so we're told people stay at home and watch TV,
it's in Canada so the TV's not very good.
It rains a lot but it doesn't snow to speak of, I suppose that counts as a benign climate, rather like New Zealand. It's not dangerous but it's not interesting either and, shit, for the price of living in Vancouver, you could live in London; the London, exciting city, near to Paris, hub for cheap airlines.
It seemed to us that one may as well be damp and bored in New Zealand and have cheap sheep. Or, if one wants ocean in Canada, move to Halifax and have bars with music (ok, lots of squidley diddley but it is music, you can dance if you want to).
G'won tell me what me missed, why would anyone live in say, Kitsilano, when for that money, they could afford to live in Camden Town? Why would anyone shell out Hampstead money to live near UBC when there's nothing at all there except other expensive houses?
Last edited by CanadaJimmy; May 27th 2012 at 3:43 am.
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Well, the rain part is all relative. Vancouver gets more sunshine than just about anywhere in the UK. Summers are dry, sunny and warm. Winters are relatively mild. The natural setting is stunning. If you're the outdoors type, it's a great setting. However, I do agree that the city itself is pretty dull. Toronto and Montreal have much more going on IMO.
#8
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
So we went to Vancouver. A city with a fantastic setting but a built environment akin to a high rise council estate (or scheme if you're from Scotland). Transit seemed expensive and doesn't well serve great chunks of the town, food seemed expensive, housing is unarguably expensive and most of the housing on offer is flats, there are very few houses. It's not a town with much of a social scene so we're told people stay at home and watch TV, it's in Canada so the TV's not very good. It rains a lot but it doesn't snow to speak of, I suppose that counts as a benign climate, rather like New Zealand. It's not dangerous but it's not interesting either and, shit, for the price of living in Vancouver, you could live in London; the London, exciting city, near to Paris, hub for cheap airlines.
It seemed to us that one may as well be damp and bored in New Zealand and have cheap sheep. Or, if one wants ocean in Canada, move to Halifax and have bars with music (ok, lots of squidley diddley but it is music, you can dance if you want to).
G'won tell me what me missed, why would anyone live in say, Kitsilano, when for that money, they could afford to live in Camden Town? Why would anyone shell out Hampstead money to live near UBC when there's nothing at all there except other expensive houses?
It seemed to us that one may as well be damp and bored in New Zealand and have cheap sheep. Or, if one wants ocean in Canada, move to Halifax and have bars with music (ok, lots of squidley diddley but it is music, you can dance if you want to).
G'won tell me what me missed, why would anyone live in say, Kitsilano, when for that money, they could afford to live in Camden Town? Why would anyone shell out Hampstead money to live near UBC when there's nothing at all there except other expensive houses?
#9
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
After reading the initial post all my long held dreams of moving to Vancouver have been shattered to fragments. I'm rendered turgid. I'm looking at Windsor, Ontario instead ! They say it's very nice there.
#10
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
I'd say Moncton is better overall.
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,746
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
I watch The Real Housewives of Vancouver...
Enough said....
Enough said....
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
I dont know much of anywhere in Vancouver where transit cant get you to atleast walking distance. Hell I can get from Abbotsford to Vancouver all on transit busses and sky train.
#13
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Nova Scotia (from Scotland)
Posts: 1,032
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
We're going to NS, not Vancouver, mainly because of the cost issue, but I lived in Vancouver for 3 months a few years ago and I loved it. I don't like big cities like London to live in, but I love small cities, like Vancouver or Edinburgh. I loved the shopping, the closeness to nature, esp Stanley park. I love granville island, and lonsdale quay. I stayed in north van, and thought public transit was excellent - I never tired of the seabus!
I thought the place felt very safe, and I felt very at home. I don't know about the social scene because I tend to be a 'stay in' person myself! But there seemed to be plenty of bars etc.?
I thought the place felt very safe, and I felt very at home. I don't know about the social scene because I tend to be a 'stay in' person myself! But there seemed to be plenty of bars etc.?
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,851
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Leaving out the stunning scenery and being on the coast it sounds like a description of several Canadian cities such as Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Hamilton etc etc.
And Yes Ive been to Vancouver.
And Yes Ive been to Vancouver.
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2011
Location: kent, uk
Posts: 4
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
I guess it depends on what your scene is. I don't like Kits or UBC but I loved the Drive (Commercial) although I'm told it's gotten commercialised now (ironic I know). And there are real houses there, although expensive. Part of the reason I'm now returning to Canada but to Nova Scotia not BC.
Apparently Main is the new funkier part of town. I can tell you it has a fantastic Burlesque thing going on, some of the best drag acts and the WISE club on Adanac and Victoria in the east side has some very cool evenings. But that might not be your thing!
Apparently Main is the new funkier part of town. I can tell you it has a fantastic Burlesque thing going on, some of the best drag acts and the WISE club on Adanac and Victoria in the east side has some very cool evenings. But that might not be your thing!