Any Vancouverites?...

[nwobhm_uk]

Hi all, newbie here from the UK. Loving the board so far.

My family and I may have the chance to relocate from the UK to Vancouver in the next 6-12 months, just looking for local knowledge - is it a nice place to live?, nightlife (live music) family activities, good schools (junior) etc.

Cheers

[bluser]

I'm from Toronto but I have friends from Vancouver and from what I've heard and read it's an amazing city rich with diversity and culture. It's consistently been rated as one of the most livable cities in the world. It's situated in one of the most gorgeous areas in Canada(you can see mountains ) with lots of great restaurants, great temperate weather, it's home to the University of British Columbia which is a highly rated research intensive school along with other great universities, the school system is excellent and produces great students. It is a bit more expensive compared to Toronto especially when you compare property prices (if you're living in Vancouver city) If you've got a good job you should be fine!

All in all, it's a vibrant city with great people, great food, beautiful scenery, good schools and lots to do! I can't comment on the music scene but I'm sure it's great! Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I can chime in!

[svenhoek]

My main three cities seem to be Vancouver, Los Angeles, and London...

My humble opinion:

Vancouver is very pretty, lots of beautiful views, much greater sense of safety than London. However what you gain in views and security you lose in terms of vibrancy and edge. Vancouver is hands down the most PC of any place I've been. Very clean city, wonderful place in the summer. Not great in the long, rainy winter months (worse than London) although if you're into outdoor activities like snowboarding and hiking, etc, you'll be in heaven.

While there are many talented players, I find many people here agree that the music scene in not happening. It's not a place to gain traction from the ground up, as a band at least. (DJ'ing is different.) Not a lot of places to play, not a lot of local support.

Many of my European friends love the geography but long for "European" discourse. It can be difficult to say what is on your mind openly without offending.

Like anywhere, it has its ups and downs, really depends what you're into. A lot of people love it here more than anything, and many others need something from life that this city just can't offer them.

[Lo Blues]

I moved here (Vancouver) about a year ago. It's aesthetically gorgeous and REALLY expensive. The music scene? Haven't really gotten into it much. Haven't really seen anything worth getting into. There seems to be a decent 'rootsy' kinda scene and a 'folky' scene though. There used to be a great punk scene. I heard Victoria is more lively. On the plus side Van seems real accepting of new artists which is cool.

[BCy2k]

I was in Vancouver this past July. I hadn't been there in a looong time. It was much more beautiful than I remembered too. I'm sure it's not as fun there during the winter season, but it was spectacular when I was there.

One of my favorite cities for sure. I'm clueless about their current gigging/band/musician scene.

[wrathfuldeity]

Just south of the boarder in Bellingham, the area is great for outdoors...there's summer, winter and mud season...imho the perfect climate...but I love the snow...so when its raining and cold...its snowing...lots of hiking, mountian biking, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, kayak, scuba, surfing, kiteboarding. Idk, but imagine that the housing market is abit more reasonable than a couple of years ago....but expensive area to live. Just bring the full rain gear....at least 20,000mm gortex.

[whitecadillac]

I have lived here all my life. One of the prettiest places on the planet. It rains a lot. (If you can't see the mountains it is raining, if you can it is going to rain).

Housing is very expensive, the most expensive in Canada I believe. Everything else costs what it costs.

The city is generally speaking safe (and feels that way), very clean, polite, modern and extremely bike friendly. There is a decent local music scene but tends to be a bit younger than suits me. Lots of good concerts with lots of good venues to host them.

The restaurant and food scene is humming.

PM me if you have any questions and I would be pleased to help if I can. I will say however that I can't imagine a nicer city to live in.

[Dirtybender]

I loved in Kitsilano for a year while I was a ground guy for Canadian Helicopters. The only place I ever felt truly sad to move away from. But Canmore in the Rockies is a good second choice.

[daddyo]

I've been in BC since 1967 and the Greater Vancouver area since 1985. Svenhoek hit it dead on. Musically, a much cooler city in the mid 80s. Maybe I'm just remembering my youth. Local oriented live music venues have diminished considerably. I love skiing, hiking, and canoeing so I love it hear. I like that I don't need snow tires or a block heater. Probably some of the best cuisine in the world if you are eclectic.

[go7]

Born and raised in Vancouver now living 26 miles out in the pacific. Vancouver island, about the same size as England pop. 1 million.
Visit Stanley Park, great food, not a great music scene. Friendly, safe and the summers are beautiful. Simply a gorgeous setting for a city

[nwobhm_uk]

Thanks for all the interesting posts

[JB]

Super Expensive to live there. Really nice areas and really run down areas.
Amazing food and a very large Asian population.
All around a really diverse and amazing city.
However, one should educate themselves/be aware of the inevitable massive earthquake that is looming to strike Vancouver and what places are built to stand it and what places aren't.

[57special]

keep in mind that while Van is expensive compared to other Canadian cities and some other places, London, LA or the like are much more expensive.

[Trotter]

Originally Posted by wrathfuldeity

Just south of the boarder in Bellingham, the area is great for outdoors...there's summer, winter and mud season...imho the perfect climate...but I love the snow...so when its raining and cold...its snowing...lots of hiking, mountian biking, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, kayak, scuba, surfing, kiteboarding. Idk, but imagine that the housing market is abit more reasonable than a couple of years ago....but expensive area to live. Just bring the full rain gear....at least 20,000mm gortex.

I'm moving to Bellingham next month! Really looking forward to it. Vancouver and Seattle are 2 of my favorite cities to visit, so living right in the middle will be fun!

[MRscratch]

Originally Posted by 57special

keep in mind that while Van is expensive compared to other Canadian cities and some other places, London, LA or the like are much more expensive.

actually, Vancouver is the least affordable city in the world. followed by Moscow and i think one of the nordic countries. Oslo? or helsinki? and tokyo.
it is also voted by the UN as the most livable city in the world. Vancouver is extremely beautiful, and has a endless supply of parks and wilderness, and facilities are top notch.
Vancouver has its problems, and violence. we have a big drug/ gang problem that is out of control. The canadian budget, because of our small population, and large land mass, is not adequate to supply the forces needed to enforce the law and protect the population .
van is fairly safe, but is full of callous selfish wealthy people who don't play by societies rules. traffic is horrendous, and the city economy is built on growth. it is ever expanding. so construction is everywhere.
as far as music scene is concerned, its a tough go. there are limited places to play, and a million bands! but if you are good, you will get the gigs.
its great place, but it has aprice