Originally Posted by JonboyE

In the West End (residential district close to Downtown, Stanley Park and beaches) one bedroom apartments start around $1,150 to $1,200.

Originally Posted by jerry brewer

Hi
Maybe all the negative waves will help reduce the number of people who keep moving here,
it's getting a bit busy now.
i have only been here about 8 yrs but i can see the changes.
jerry

Originally Posted by Shard

What changes...population growth?

Originally Posted by Lychee

The point of Vancouver isn't to immerse yourself in its infrastructure, it's about having that infrastructure within close proximity to wilderness - mountains, oceans, fjords, islands, rivers, lakes, rainforest, beaches. You have conveniences of a big city if you want to shop, eat at good restaurants, see theatre, a movie, an art exhibit, a concert, etc. but you can easily vacate the city for the wilderness in 30 minutes or less. Very few cities offer the diversity of wilderness that Vancouver has, and that wilderness is very much a part of the reason why people move to Vancouver. It's the natural environment that has created Vancouver's lifestyle. People don't move to this city to limit themselves to the urban environment, or they're missing the point and are likely miserable. To enjoy Vancouver, you must have an appreciation for nature and a desire to immerse yourself in that environment, a desire to spend your evenings on the beach, your weekends hiking and kayaking and sailing and skiing. Amusement park style entertainment attractions or large museums are not Vancouver's forte. Vancouver is a terrible place to be entertained, but it's a spectacular place to explore and connect with nature.

Originally Posted by BristolUK

Granted we're not near beaches (a 20 minute drive) but the one bedroom apartment in my duplex, by a nice park and very close to downtown rents for $540 and that's more than most.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321

That is why I like San Diego, you have nature, beaches + world class museums and zoo, and all within 10 to 90 mins of downtown depending on what kind of nature you seek, beaches are the closest, and 70 miles of coastline, desert is the furthest at 90 mins or so.

Lots of nature in So. California, just a different type of nature.

Maybe it's from where I am from, but Vancouver beaches are pretty bad compared to other west coast areas.

Vancouver is just way overpriced for what the city actually offers, if it were not in Canada where every major city has nasty winters, I doubt it would be as popular as it is.

Originally Posted by Shard

That's the big irony in Vancouver, surrounded by water, but so much of it inaccessible by way of beaches. Nothing like California, Oregon or even the UK. The beaches don't even feel like real beaches, more like the beaches you get at the Great Lakes. I think it's the Island that keeps the ocean proper at bay, and gives Vancouver that somewhat mind-numbing stillness.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321

West Coast of Vancouver Island is where you have to go to get to real beaches.

Unfortunately it's costly these days to access Vancouver Island and you really need a car if your wanting to go out of Victoria, and its not cheap to take a car on the ferry anymore.

Makes going over there just for fun (which I would love to do) hard to justify.

Originally Posted by Shard

Yes, I know that. Just commenting on Vancouver itself.

Originally Posted by Shard

That's the big irony in Vancouver, surrounded by water, but so much of it inaccessible by way of beaches. Nothing like California, Oregon or even the UK. The beaches don't even feel like real beaches, more like the beaches you get at the Great Lakes. I think it's the Island that keeps the ocean proper at bay, and gives Vancouver that somewhat mind-numbing stillness.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321

West Coast of Vancouver Island is where you have to go to get to real beaches.

Unfortunately it's costly these days to access Vancouver Island and you really need a car if your wanting to go out of Victoria, and its not cheap to take a car on the ferry anymore.

Makes going over there just for fun (which I would love to do) hard to justify.

Originally Posted by beckiwoo

Would love to go to Tofino but would need to hire a car regardless

Originally Posted by Greenhill

Have you considered inviting JamesM over?

We all, all of us on BE, think you two would make a wonderful couple. Don't be shy, send him a PM invitation!

Let's see some romance on here!

Originally Posted by beckiwoo

What the heck has that got to do with getting to Tofino?

Originally Posted by BristolUK

Granted we're not near beaches (a 20 minute drive) but the one bedroom apartment in my duplex, by a nice park and very close to downtown rents for $540 and that's more than most.