Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Hi,

I don't speak English very well and I don't know if I can say "out of the world" but I would mean Vancouver is more "lost" because there are no big cities near, except Seattle. I come from Europe and here, we have nearly ten capitals in a 1000km square, with millions ans millions inhabitants. It's very different than Canada. So, I would ask you some questions about that :

- Does the situation of Vancouver affect its business, facilities and things to do in ?
- Can we consider Vancouver as a big city and an important economic place in North America ?
- Is Toronto a more influent city because of its better world situation, at about 600km from New-York and other big cities ?
- Is there a big difference between a city with 600K inhabitants (Vancouver) and another one with 2M inhabitants (Toronto) in term of dynamism and economy ?
- Which is the best city if I want an economic center, a great downtown, a lot of nature and a good quality of life ?

Thanks for your answers.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Yes, of course. Why wouldn't it?

Biggish, and not really. It is important to the N American economy as a port. Not much else.

Yes.

The population of Metro Vancouver is a bit less than 2.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is at least double this. I have no doubt that Toronto has a bigger and more dynamic economy.

Toronto

Not Vancouver

Vancouver

It depends on what make a quality life for you.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

^ fair and balanced reply there.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Thank you so much for your answer. I can see that Toronto is more influent whereas Vancouver is greener. It's more difficult to choose between these two cities than I expected...

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Go to the one with the best prospects of finding a job if you don't have one lined up already.

I'd personally go with Toronto or nearby to Toronto over Vancouver, I found Toronto and that whole region of Ontario to be easy to get around, both by car, and transit. Vancouver region is harder to get around, we have transit but lack good rail transit so most of the time you end up on slow moving buses stuck in traffic, and there is no freeway system in Vancouver, so its all surface streets stop and go.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

On the other hand the view while stuck in traffic is a lot more inspiring in Vancouver.

Maybe Im overly negative having spent the day in Toronto yesterday.<Shudders>

If "Quality of life" involves spending time outside free of sub zero temps or oppressive heat and humidity, and not in the company of mosquitos if outside the concrete jungle, then I would pick Vancouver over Toronto every time.


However, both are likely to suck as places to live on low income, so your first line hits the nail on the head.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Vancouver has its share of those pesky insects.....Granted we have much nicer and less humid summers, and the heatwaves we get are shorter.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Off topic, but you should seriously consider asking a moderator to change your username. Using a valid e-mail address is very, very unwise.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Plus in Toronto, you can't just pop out to pick up your crab pots, steam the crabs on the dock, eat them for lunch and be back in the office a little wet but well fed by 2:00pm. :)

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Fair enough. Crabs spots in Toronto have quite a different function. You can still pop out at lunch time and come back to the office satiated though.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

I suppose that could be a deciding factor for those who enjoy sea food....lol

I don't hate Vancouver region, its just beyond by ability to enjoy because its too dang expensive, while Toronto is high as well, the surrounding area's I found to be reasonable and still have easy access to Toronto.

I lived in Whitby which is 55km or so away, but there was easy access with the Go System, where in BC if 55km from Vancouver there is only 1 option which is private vehicle, or possibly Greyhound, we have no GO like transit system here.

I also found Ontario lower for most things overall, like food, rent, and so on.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Depending on your careers believe it or not Calgary could fit your wish list unless you have a hate on for cowboys/cowgirls and Ford F150 pick up trucks minus the gun racks of rural Albertans.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Of course economics is the main driver for most people, but if you can afford it, its nice not having to shovel snow in frigid temperatures for five months of the year and sweating your bollocks off for another five.

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

Or people who say "have a hate on." :p

Re: Is Vancouver "out of the world" ?
 

How are the Bass and Pike out that way;)

In case you didnt notice Toronto is next to a big fresh water lake. Granted, its frozen over for 1/4 of the year, but I guess thats why they have Ice fishing (that and to get a few hours drinking in away from the wife....)