I have always been facinated by Canada and everything it has to offer - I have never been to Canada and have recently made the decision to leave my job and get a 12 month working visa.

I always thought Vancouver was the place for me but I have read a lot of posts on here about the city being a good place to retire which has worried me!

My plan is to try and find work in a marketing role before I arrive and continue to look whilst there but if I am able to find something more basic temporarily I'd be happy to do that. I want to explore a little, be outside, shop ... Normal things. Does anybody have any advise on if Vancouver sounds right for me? I have family in Medicine Hat and in Victoria so VC is in the middle.

Thanks everyone

Let the fun begin Boring British Columbia thread anyone.
BTW Vancouver is way closer to Victoria than Medicine Hat.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=782289

what's with the VC thing lately?

No idea, but probaby not. It's really wet and gloomy for a large part of the year and the social life is shit for new people used to the pub culture. You'll need to take up yoga and develop a really perfect body to get into a relationship here. Also I recommend taking up a sport like skiing in winter and cycling or hiking in summer to stave off the boredom and it's also the main way to meet people here. Rollerblading is also good, you can do that in your yoga gear and a lot of the perfectly-bodied seem to do it in summer along the sea wall. You can also do yoga outside in summer and really show off those abs. Lulu lemon is the uniform, just buy a pair of their pants and a jacket and you're 90% to being a local.

Also it's really expensive and you'll never be able to buy here.

I think that covers everything.

If against smoking marijuana then Vancouver is definitely not for you.

Well first off check Craigslist and the Canada Job Bank for job openings in Marketing. I'm pretty sure Marketing is a fairly in-demand job here but don't take my word for it.

Secondly many people choose not to live in Vancouver city itself due to the high cost of property, so you may want to do some research and decide on which of the cities in the metro vancouver region you want to live in. Each city has it's own personality and primary demographic living there.

The retirement remark was probably aimed at the quieter communities in Vancouver outside of the downtown area. There are plenty of other areas and cities that don't have that vibe, heck even the downtown core of the city doesn't, there's plenty of things to do in terms of days out and nightlife. Some people have said Vancouver is boring, but I'd prefer to describe as simply not being a place that overwhelms you like London or Las Vegas for example.

Anyway good luck on making the move if you choose to!

...what?! Maybe in West-Van or something but I don't think that's the case for the majority of the city.

I disagree. True Vancouverites worship the body beautiful. I don't know if the OP is a man or a woman but Euro or UK style bad teeth etc isn't going to cut it here on the dating scene for anyone decent. Please note I am talking about locals here. Fix those teeth, cover those greys, get a good hair cut, and don't kid yourself about that soft wobbly tummy. You may as well put a sign on your forehead saying "I moved to Pitt Meadows and Gave up" if you have one of those. It's like carrying a little bit of the 'burbs with you wherever you go. 'Couves won't put up with that shit unless your're raking it in or famous. People who move here move here to be someone not to take second best. Also there are a lot of actors here and they're all gorgeous so the average standard is higher than usual.

How i imagine people spend there weekends in Vancouver

Also be aware you need to be fit enough to do the grouse grind or dragon boating. That's a big part of social life here. People talk about their times on the Grind or how practice went on Wednesday night on the water as part of social conversation here. It will help you make friends and be accepted.

you laugh but I have that snuggie. I have the pink one.

99% of what you read on here, that is not verifiable fact, is b*ll*cks. (And I would double check the verifiable facts.) There are people who are only happy when they are whinging. There are people who are overly optomistic. Whose's opinion do you trust? How do you know what is said in jest and what is true? Come and find out for yourself. For God's sake don't rely on other people's opinions.

Not enough spandex.

Bravo Bravo now stop being sensible please

Also some yoga mats and some vegan sandals

somebody should have a small dog on a leash with a cute sweater on too