MovingToMidEast

Hello All:

I currently live in Saudi am looking to move to Vancouver, Toronto, or London UK. I will most probably be making a blind move, thats why i would really appreciate your comments! Out of the three places, i have only been to London (5 days only) and thought it was so-so ( i guess i was put off with the pub culture, things shutting down early in the evenings and Sundays - but i realize these are things i can deal with if i move there).. Prior to moving to Saudi, I lived in NYC and San Francisco for several years..

I am not really interested in cost of living and jobs but more along the lines of hearing about social activities, nightlife, people, vibe of the cities, attitudes and so forth.

Any input is much appreciated!

Thanks!

GC44

Don't know how long ago that you were in London but the UK as a whole is becoming more of a 24 hour society. However the pub culture is still very much in evidence.
I would imagine that you would have to go a long way to beat NYC for a choice of social life. London would I think come nearest to the criteria you have set.

cheeky_monkey

Yeah no idea when you were in London?..but cant have been in the last 30 years..London doesnt shut down early evenings or sundays..in terms of social life London is a different league to any Canadian city i have been to..in that respect it is similar to NYC..you can go anywhere and do anything you want with anyone you want at any time.

iaink

Vancouver is probably the most parochial* of the three, but its in the nicest physical location, between the mountains and the ocean. The skiing available near Vancouver is way ahead of anything near Toronto if that matters... outdoors leasure is what its all about is my impression, skiing, biking, kayaking, enjoying the magnificent surroundings.

On the other hand its the most likely to be wiped out by an earthquake or tsunami too...

Vancouver is much heralded in international relocation surveys FWIW.

* as in small town

Jingsamichty

What's your attitude to winter? London's winter is pretty mild, Vancouver's is pretty similar, with skiing available not far away, and Toronto's winter probably quite comfortably the nastiest of the three. Not that I've ever been to Toronto, apart from the airport.

For nightlife, I'd choose London, then I suspect Toronto is much better than Vancouver for nightlife.

BristolUK

Or riot.

JonboyE

Agreed. While Vancouver has some of the West Coast vibe of San Francisco looking at the OPs other requirements I think it would be London or Toronto rather than Vancouver.

ExKiwilass

I agree with JBE. Toronto or London. This is hard a city to break into/have a social life in if you don't know anyone, I suspect the social life is easier for newbies in the other 2 cities.

MikeUK

If you can aford to ignore Cost of Living and jobs....

Then it's got to be London

el_richo

London

JamesM

A little confused that you say you like nightlife but you don't like the pub culture???

Other than that going on your list:

Social Activities: That's really broad and could be anything so given that it's so broad. Definitely London.

Nightlife: Definitely London- much better than NYC and San Fran. Certainly better than Toronto and Vancouver.

People: Can't really generalize. There are good and bad people everywhere. Toronto is probably the safest although I'm sure people in Vancouver will come and argue with me despite their "Riot" and "Guncouver" reputation.

Attitudes: Again it depends who you meet. Vancouver is considered to be more laid back than Toronto which is more laid back than London.

I would say your average Londoner is more switched on to global events than your average Torontonian. In Toronto my friends enjoy activity more than nightlife. In London it was the other way round.

I've spent a month in Vancouver but never lived there so no real comment other than you need to make no effort with your appearance when you go out during the day and you'll fit right in.


So forth: I'll put this with the Social Activities. When something is general London will always win as it's the largest city in Europe, Finance capital of the world and a Metropolis as oppose to Toronto and Vancouver which are just larger regional cities with very little commercial influence in the world.

London has more cultural and people based opportunities. Perhaps the Canadian cities offer greater outdoor opportunities depending on your interests. If your interests heavily involve snow sports then Vancouver is the place.

ExKiwilass

oh, so those G20 riots iN Toronto...those don't count do they?

Alan2005

Are those your choices? Is this a 'this is where I'm gonna live' type move, or just something for a year or two?

If it's just for a few years then I'd not bother with your list, I'd go to Asia. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, or some place like that.

britsnake

I lived in London most of my life. London is a very big city and has alot to offer.

There are parts of London which are quiet and other parts which are very busy. It all depends on the part of London that you are in.

There is no overall London vibe. East, North, South west, or Central, each has it's own vibe.

There are parts of London that are very safe and community minded and others which are extremely dangerous.

Overall the pace of life in London is fast. Whatever your tastes you will find places in London which can cater to them.

Generaly the people of London will respect your privacy and will expect you to do the same to them.

Most go about in public with a permanent frown on their face but this is more to prevent others invading their space than because they are unhappy.

You could spend a lifetime in London without experiencing more than a fraction of what it has to offer.

cheeky_monkey

as someone who has also lived alot of my life in and around London...this is a pretty good summary of the city.

All said and done Vancouver & Toronto dont even come close when it comes to the entertainment factor and comedy value of London