Travel Blog by If someone had told me that Vancouver would be the most stylish city that I would ever visit, I would have laughed! What did I know about Vancouver before I came here? Well, it is consistently in the top 3 places to live in the world, is close to one of the best skiing areas in North America (Whistler) and has plenty of rain...
Well, those three things are all true - especially the rain one. However, there are a number of other lesser-known points about Vancouver that makes this high up on my list of places to live / own a home.
Vancouver people love coffee - there is a coffee house on every corner. Even the kids choose the coffee places to hang out over the bars and clubs that other nationalities would choose.
The city is so European in style - the people are more trendily dressed than they are in London. Not in a faddish way, but with a true Parisian feel which makes it seem that they are leading the way fashion-wise and not being dragged along.
The air is clean - the trams operate throughout the city and do not pollute the air with terrible fumes. The proximity to the mountains and the feeling of being surrounded by water just enhances that feeling of well-being.
It is one of the few places where you see people wandering about in the middle of the city with snowboards and skis. I always knew that this city was close to Whistler (about a 2 hour drive) but there are places for skiing about a 30 minute drive away.
Vancouver prides itself on its outdoor lifestyle and is leading the way in reducing obesity - I am not sure that I saw any overweight people here at all! Last Sunday, I went to see the start of the Vancouver Sun Fun Run - this is the second largest fun run in North America - with 53k people running the 10k.
No commentary on Vancouver would be complete without a discussion about the restaurants and bars. People dress up to go out here (unlike many places in North America...I have just spent the last couple of weeks in Utah so I know all about this!) and enjoy high quality food and cocktails.
Comments
Thriller says...
You've really hit the nail on the head. The only problem with Vancouver is that it is in Canada! Whistler is really great, and so if i could move the US border a bit to encompass Vancouver then you really would have a No.1 place to live.
Posted 631 days ago.
Hugo says...
Sounds great. Next time I shall make a point of stopping in Vancouver. Last time I scooted by on my way to Whistler which, by the way, gets my thumbs up for my best ski trip ever.
Posted 605 days ago.
montee51 says...
I have a few friends who originally hailed from Vancouver who to a man highly rate their home city in comparison to London. More healthy, cheaper and much less stress. Would love to go.
Posted 565 days ago.
Alexandra says...
I moved to Vancouver from London last year, and the outdoorsy feeling of the city is a big selling point for me. I snowboarded at Cypress Mountain all winter, and now I'm learning to sail twice a week in English Bay. The great thing about Vancouver is that those things are accessible to people on all budgets, and there's no feeling of exclusivity in the ski resorts or sailing clubs. That said, I'd kill for a proper London night out once in a while - the nightlife is okay, but it's pretty tame compared to back in the 'hood.
Posted 565 days ago.
Charlotte says...
I agree 100%. I was born in Vancouver, and lived there most of my life, but am now living in London. London is great for so many things but I definitely miss the sea and mountains! For anyone heading to Vancouver, make sure to check out Granville Island and Commercial Drive. If you are feeling like you want to physically challenge yourself, the Grouse Grind (or nature's stairmaster as it is called) is just a seabus ride away!
Posted 564 days ago.
Hannah says...
Oooh these tips are great. I'm planning to move out to Vancouver for six months next year, any ideas about what I should see or do or good areas to live would be welcome.
Posted 549 days ago.
fakemexican says...
Some of the best friends I have made on my travels were from Vancouver, they have always tried to get me to go, this just confirms what they have been telling me about the city. Now I can't wait to go.
I think the coffee obsession is probably inherited from Seattle just across the boarder, the home of Starbucks.
Posted 489 days ago.
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