So I asked the locals
 

For idea's of things to do in this town. Since moving here I have been bored more times then not, and boredom leads to poor mental health, and while I do walk all the time, it just becomes boring over time.

Take flight seeing tours, which I would love to do, but the $$ prevents it.

Train to be a pilot.

Go 4x4 (obviously not possible to do in a Mazda 2 :lol:)

Sea to Sky Gondola, have done this, worth a visit once, but is pricey at nearly $40 a person.

Go to Whistler

Go to Vancouver

Paint art

Take classes at quest (private liberal arts school, way above what we can afford.)


So I guess I really do live in a boring town with very little to do if the locals can't even think of stuff....:lol:

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Do you not have any hobbies you enjoy?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Hmm...they gave you 8 ideas and you had reasons not to do some of them.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Buy a cheap musical instrument like recorder or something and learn to play it.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I have a slew of self help books, and have taken several classes at mental health.

When you have no money the above things are not possible. If the money was there I would have no issue doing any of them minus the learning to fly as I dont think I could get a medical.

Not having money isnt a excuse its reality. No money you cant participate in activities that cost money.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

All cost money. Was looking for free activities.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

None I can where we live.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Can't you just watch TV like the rest of us ?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Read,walk, buy a second hand bike and join a cycling club. On second thoughts it might ve abut holly where you are.

So read and join a book club, walk and join a walking group.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I am trying to watch less TV. Not that there is ever anything on. Lol

I watch a lot of it right now along with a ton of reading news online, this forum, an aviation forum, disney one, and I also google random topics to research and read about.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

What kind of things would you enjoy?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I wasn't being sarcastic you know. Anyone can teach themselves how to play an instrument and doing so has all sorts of benefits. Seriously, you can pick up something cheap (recorders are around $10 on amazon) and if you can commit some time each day (say 30 mins) you'll be able to play proper tunes reasonably quickly.

Do this, and in six months you'll be glad you did. Doubly so in twelve.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Generally:

Traveling which I haven't been able to do a whole lot in recent years.

Museums, there was always a residents day once a week that was free for residents and most of the museums rotate some of their stuff so new things to see.

Went to the zoo a lot, San Diego Zoo is 100 hilly acres, and pass was at the time 65/yr so I used it for exercise by walking for a couple hours each week.

Tide pools at low tide, as well as just walking the cliffs along the ocean and beaches.

I would also do things with family and had a couple friends to do things with.


I've found it hard to continue most of what I enjoy due to it not being available at all, or too costly.

I do go down to the sorry excuse of a beach Squamish has, but it's nothing to write home about.

Now if you like outdoor sports liking rock climbing, mountain biking, boating, kite boarding, are an artist, skier, this is a good place to be, those are the main sources of things people here do.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Have you considered photography?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Stop messing around and get on the booze, drugs and hookers.

Life is very short, nasty and brutish.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Did you once say that you were part Native American? If so is there anything at Squamish Nation that would interest you?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Become a volunteer - it would give you something to do, make you feel useful and would also give you the opportunity to meet people (and may even lead to a job, you never know!).

Help out with Eagle Watch, Bird Counting, Work Parties etc Volunteer | Squamish Environment Society

Volunteer Opportunities – Squamish CAN - community gardens, water conservation etc.

BC SPCA: Become a BC SPCA volunteer SPCA volunteer

The Hotspot Community Resource Centre » Volunteer teach seniors how to use technology and others

Volunteer | Sea to Sky Community Services Foodbank, Re-use store Squamish ReBuild

Squamish Trail Society, Squamish BC - Volunteers clear trails

:)

Another option for those cold blustery days would be to do a free online course - there are hundreds available from Universities and Colleges: http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses and https://www.coursera.org/browse are just two websites that give links to them.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Is that covered by BC? :lol:

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Trainspotting. When you do travel you'll have a mission, and when you're home you can plan online.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Price point, again, and there are health concerns (wife killing him), otherwise an excellent suggestion.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Volunteer. Is there a local scout group?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

There is that of course. He could always volunteer at the local fire station, I think that is what blokes do who live small towns, that way they get to have a flashing light in their cars and get to skive off work occasionally while feeling very important.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Bad back, otherwise another excellent suggestion!

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Exploring more of BC like Tofino or Okanagan - they are 2 places I really want to go and see :). You may have already been though

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Is there a public library ? Read books !

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I think the OP is telling us that Squamish is a really boring place if you don't have lots of disposable income, especially in the winter. What about having an affair? I doubt it would cost much and would certainly liven your life up a bit. It might see you through until Christmas. :thumbup:

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Did anyone ever suggest writing? Even if just for yourself.
Fiction? Fish? Airline/airport tales?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I think being bored is very much an attitude thing. Very few people spend every day going to museums, art galleries, zoos etc. I like to do those things too but it's a very rare outing. I can't remember the last time I was bored, my day so far today. Got up, short (20mins) workout at home, tidy up kitchen, enjoy leisurely breakfast whilst reading book 5 of song of ice and fire series. Vacuum house, and quick tidy. Knitted for about an hour, I am making a sweater. Watched an episode of Downton Abbey, had lunch outside in the sunshine (it's 18 degrees), cleaned windows at back of house, noticed they are disgusting while having lunch. Now off to work from 2:30 until 7pm. Not exciting but I haven't been bored, it never occurs to me to think that I may be bored.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

You're not living in Squamish where it's pissing down rain for six months with little disposable cash.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

A collector's "cut out and keep" Oink sympathetic post!

He's gone soft!

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Type boobs into google images. Life sorted :D

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I'm with Alan 2005. I learned to play trumpet, joined a community band, had tons of fun and made a lot of friends. As he suggests, you could get an instrument cheaply but I don't recommend a recorder - there's not a big demand for this kind of music. Some community bands will even lend you an instrument and give free lessons. I guarantee you will never be bored again. Playing a wind instrument is also good for your physical and mental health - all that lung exercise, brain stimulation and exercise. Go for it!

Re: So I asked the locals
 

If I hated living somewhere as much as you hate Squamish, then I would be doing everything in my power to get out of there. If you devoted as much time and energy in posting here towards this goal then you might actually achieve it.

I thought you were getting off the internet anyway?

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I grew up in South Manchester so pissing down rain is a familiar concept to me, my point was that none of the activities I listed involved any cash (with possible exception of the knitting, but I got the yarn on sale for $10).

What I am trying to say is that most people's lives are fairly mundane, we are deceived by social media and TV into believing that other people are having wonderful experiences on a daily basis and it makes people feel like they are missing out if they are not doing the same.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Oh come on they don't call it sunny Sale for no apparent reason....

Totally agree on the other statement. Websites like Facebook and Linkedin all try and convince readers that the posters have perfect families with no money issues, no career setbacks and they are basically running the companies they work for.

There are many free activities to partake in and having a cup full attitude can do wonders.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Have you considered doing yoga? You can do it on your own or join a local club. Yoga will keep you very fit mentally and physically and you can claim the club fees on your taxes to get some of your money back at the end of the year.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

I do that, I've got a few times I know when a CN should come through, and on the walking trail where I take the dog, is a perfect spot. Not sure how many pass through these days, but there seems to be a consistent one around 5:30-6:00p.

In the summer months there is also rocky mountaineer.


If my health would permit me, I would do this. They recruit 1-2 new people every year. After 2 years of service and training, you get professional firefighter certification as well which helps get jobs with a paid department.

We also have I think now 6 paid firefighters as well.



I'd probably have more to do and less bored if we had a house. We have a 600sq foot apartment, well 575 to be exact.

I spent about an hour cleaning up, doing dishes, and feeding the dog. 2 people in a small apartment is not hard to keep clean.


dog has been on 3 walks.


It helps when I work, I am just not currently doing so. So I have a an excess amount of time and a lack of activity to fill the time.



I am probably just not suited to small town life.......:rofl:

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Wife is from here. Her mom lives here and her job is here. If we leave right now she won't see her mom often, and she would have to quit her job which she enjoys and likes.


We also have to stay in non-profit housing (not subsidized) if we have any chance to ever own a own. There are very valid reasons why we stay short term so long term might improve.

Re: So I asked the locals
 

Just browse the internet all day. Relish that vague feeling of emptiness that comes when you've wasted all that time and have nothing at all to show for it.