Opinions vary......from Qura...

"Vancouver has a supernaturally beautiful setting. There's no way to downplay this. Vancouver is blessed with more natural beauty than any major city in the world. The north shore mountains, English Bay off of the Pacific Ocean sheltered from the worst storms by Vancouver Island, temperate rain forest with huge trees, wildlife on the water's edge and an active volcano, Mt. Baker, standing in as a surrogate for Mt. Fuji."

https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qim...1342038ab.webp

Oh yes, it's quite a pretty setting. It's only the built bits that are unattractive.

As I said...opinions vary....here are some notable and beautiful buildings in Vancouver. Note: Parliament building is in Victoria.

https://search.aol.com/aol/image;_yl...usaolp00000112

Opinions certainly do vary and if you find those to be beautiful buildings I'm happy for you.

Wanted new adventures and experiences for the whole family, in the 8 years we've been here the adventures and experiences have been plenty.
Would we do all over again knowing what we know now...never!

I cant say I agree that Vancouver has the nicest natural setting of any city.

Personally I think Seattle overall has a nicer setting and a nice tall mountain in the background as well.

I have always loved North America, cant even say what prompted it really but was from a young age. Still adore Florida but when I visited Toronto in 1999 I was really blown away by how much I prefered it to my visit to NY in 1994. By then I had also managed to experience the Florida Keys which had my heart but we knew that they were almost impossible to get to.
In short, I wanted the North American dream, complete with yellow school buses, stop signs, endless trains and drivethrough coffee.
I also wanted a Canadian version of the Keys, sans Palm trees of course, where life is near the ocean, laid back and friendly.
Enter NS. Ticked every box I, in my dream, had.


As I write this I hear the horn of the train as it rumbles through our community. We are able to drive to the US whenever we please pretty much although its not a fun drive in the winter months, its certainly easy enough in the summer and the Fall.
I have since revisited both NY and Toronto and like both equally, as vibrant cities. This little maritime place, with its friendly people and yes jobs (shocker!) is home, so damn grateful.

Wanted to live in a country that began with C and had 3 a's in it.
I decided on Canada over the other one.

Central African Republic?

I know someone who has made the other choice. She ate boa in the sunshine at Easter. I envied the weather.

Bangui on!

Correct.

Steam rising from the drains? Kids playing in the spray of the fire hydrants in summer. Sirens from police cars and ambulances - although the difference isn't so great as it was in the 70s. Ticker-tap parades....

YES!!!

Didn't want to stay in the UK given how fast the social fabric of that country is deteriorating; and the growing disparity between the cost and quality of life.