RE: Vancouver for the long haul
I just moved out from there, lived there for 2 years. I lived in the west-end which i think is the perfect location. You're in the middle of it all and literally can walk to anywhere you want within 30 minutes. Here are the things i missed:
1. Infrastructure/ Walkability
I've never been car-less before so it was an eye opening experience not to feel like i needed one. This city works really well without one. You don't even need to buy a bike, although it can be handy. Lot's of car sharing around the city and bike sharing. It made networking (professionally) very convenient as i'd just walk to these meetups within 20minutes from the west-end.. I recommend this area because it's quieter, and feels suburban with really nice-treelined streets and you're very close to Stanely Park (amazing park with lot's of trails and beautiful scenary. I missed this the most, everything was walkable between work, social activities and nature, it was the right mix.
2. Good Tech scene,
By no means in comparison to the larger tech hubs but it's growing and found it a great place for networking professionaly. Lot's of networking opportunities everyday of the week and usually with free food and drinks.
3. Nature Adventure mecca
This is one of the cleanest and nicest looking cities i've encountered. It's almost too clean that it almost feels synthetic (the cityscape). You have endless amount of breathtaking hikes and adventure activities at your doorstep. FRESH AIR, awesome views all around, city+mountains+sea all around. This is what will be missed the most.
So why did i leave? After 1 year living there i was convinced to live there permanently and applied for my permanent residency. I spent countless hours, time money and effort to get this, and i was accepted. In the end i canceled it after realizing I couldn't live there long-term, the city lacks SOUL. I probably should have kept the PR just in case but honestly i couldn't see myself living there permanently (or any other Canadian city). Montreal would be better socially speaking but winters outside of Vancouver is just detrimental to a good life.
I left because:
1. The people.
Overall, incredibly superficial, vain and shallow. Lacking any depth, genuity or character. I'm not only talking about the women, but finding some homies to hang out with almost as bad. Understandbly this is like moving fresh to any new city, and i'm quiet comfortable being alone and actually prefer doing things solo and talking with strangers, but the people here are simply not welcoming or hospitable. They may appear "polite" on the outside, but devoid of any humanity inside. It didn't bother me so much until i returned home after 2 years living in that social blackhole and completely forget how social and friendly people actually were! i was really surprised that i got shocked by how people can be friendly and social, like any random on the street, male or female, just being a decent friendly human being and y'know smiling and getting to know each other because of curiosity, instead of being judged by status. In Vancouver, you'll mainly be judged by status.
The friends i ended up forming were mostly expats, except 2 canadians. They are good guys and at least showed me there were actually some decent Canadians.
Although out in nature and parks it's a different and chill vibe where meeting people is nicer. Which makes me question where are these people hiding in the city? You never meet these characters, or they just turn into a different person once they return back to the city.
I'd say it reminds me of the people from L.A, always trying to show off and impress others.
The women: i'm not even going to describe how shitty this place is for it, especially if you're not into asians. Just don't go here for tail or set your expectations very low.
Bottomline: it's a fake and flake city
2. The weather
The first year was great, a honey moon period, thinking i could always handle the winter because i enjoy snowboarding. However after the 2nd winter the novelty wore off when you actually work in the city, and have to deal with the lack of sun and overcast for almost half a year. Very depressing and really affected my mood big time.
3. Work/life balance
By the sounds of it, you seem like you'll be looked after. But for others interested, especially as an expat with no existing network, you're bottom of the barrel and will be exploited with 2nd world rates and distrubing working expectations. Office culture was stiff and workaholic, no leniency with holidays (public holiday that falls on weekend does not rollover on weekday, wtf?).
4. No Fun City
This is what people commonly refer to this city. If you're a social guy who likes to mingle around, be cultured and get stimulated by arts and interesting events, then look to Montreal. Not only the people are boring and one-dimension it adds fuel to the fire when there really isn't much going on for a city this size. To be fair, summertime does show signs of life, and you can find various outdoor festivals and events but they are mostly just for families. Now that i think about it, Vancouver would be a nice place to raise a family, if you want to let your kids live a sheltered life, but really an awful place to be a bachelor. I wish i realized it sooner.
5. Banking
More a Canadian thing, but holy crap, you guys have terrible banking infrastracture and service, i am truly shocked how a leading economic country can tolerate such horrible banking service. It felt like i experienced what my great grandfather would have banked in his days. Can't believe cheques are commonly used.
So i think it's important to list what is important for you in a city, or a place to live. Then it will help you decide whether this move would be good for you. Reading your original post, it sounds like a top priority for you is a vibrant social and sexual life, which makes this city a poor canditate. Come for a visit (summer) but don't consider wasting your time here for the long haul if being social is important.
(This post was last modified: 11-23-2017 11:53 PM by solotak.)
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