Vancouver is a nice city

[87112]

All big cities are pretty expensive, Its not out of line expensive considering its Canada's warmest bit city in winter and how all that water and mountains limit land building. This is not Dallas or Denver where nothing is in the way of new development.
What is the biggest pita is the traffic and how much stop lights you have to see to go from one part of town to another. Pretty similar to Seattle traffic is horrible. Other than that its a cool city if you get your expectations in order, I think too many from Asia come to Vancouver and think they made it to heaven.

 

[hornygandalf]

...
What is the biggest pita is the traffic and how much stop lights you have to see to go from one part of town to another. Pretty similar to Seattle traffic is horrible. Other than that its a cool city if you get your expectations in order, I think too many from Asia come to Vancouver and think they made it to heaven.

I prefer travelling by transit, particularly Skytrain, and find traffic is less of an issue. I agree, driving around can drive me crazy with the traffic and lights.
By transit, it is a pretty good city to live in.

 

[ninluvr]

It's not really fair to Vancouver or actual world class cities to call Vancouver world class. Think about it:

London
Tokyo
Vancouver
Rome
New York
Paris

Which one makes you pause for a second and wonder why it's in the list? All ooze history, culture and a global attraction (e.g. New York on its own has approximately the same immigration rate as all of Canada), minus one. Vancouver is nice for what it is; a smaller version of Seattle. I've lived in most of the cities I mention above, as well as Seattle, so I think I can speak with some authority here.

 

[inkcustom]

driving vancouver > driving richmond

 

[lenny]

It's not really fair to Vancouver or actual world class cities to call Vancouver world class. Think about it:

London
Tokyo
Vancouver
Rome
New York
Paris

Which one makes you pause for a second and wonder why it's in the list? All ooze history, culture and a global attraction (e.g. New York on its own has approximately the same immigration rate as all of Canada), minus one. Vancouver is nice for what it is; a smaller version of Seattle. I've lived in most of the cities I mention above, as well as Seattle, so I think I can speak with some authority here.

It depends on your definition of "world class". According to the following, Vancouver qualifies:

http://worldclasscities.org


"Top 15 World Class Cities"

http://www.dxpnet.com/opinion/travel/Top-15-World-Class-Cities-1702934.asp

world class city

"A major international destination. Most often it's a major international political, cultural
or commercial center. Includes cities of all sizes and not just the world's largest.
Some examples include:....

Toronto
Montreal
Vancouver

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=world class city

"A global city, also called world city or sometimes alpha city or world center, is a city
generally considered to be an important node in the global economic system.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city

What Makes A City World-Class?

"Let’s be honest: There are some cities in the world that are worse–much worse–than others, cities from which a multitude would flee if offered half a chance to relocate elsewhere. Lagos comes to mind, as do Karachi, Lima, Nairobi, Cairo, Caracas, Dhaka, Jakarta, Manila … these are utterly charmless cities (such charm as there once was in a few of them has been murdered by noise, traffic, a teeming population, dirt and crime); these are edgy, aggressive and inhospitable cities, cities in which contempt for the resident is everywhere apparent, cities with few parks and sidewalks, and with scarcely any of the amenities that comprise the core of urban civilization."

http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/02/ne...-21-century-cities-09-world-class-cities.html

"Vancouver is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and
quality of life,[16][17] and the Economist Intelligence Unit acknowledged it as the first
city to rank among the top-ten of the world's most liveable cities[18] for five consecutive
years.[19]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver,_BC

 

[Lo-ki]

Vancouver is a nice city----> from my rear view mirror.

 

[lenny]

Yes, the "surveys" all rank YVR as 'most livable'...which is not to be confused with "affordable" The way things are going, YVR will become like Monaco where only the rich would be able to afford to actually live in the city.

I doubt Vancouver will ever become like Monaco. If you researched Craigslist recently there is a great diversity in prices for real estate & apartment rentals, for example, in both Greater Vancouver & Vancouver city. At only a 30 minute walk from Robson & Granville streets one can rent a hotel room for a mere $40 a night. Though certainly you can get much more value for your buck in Bangkok or Hanoi, in Singapore or Hong Kong it would be about the same as Vancouver.

 

[yazoo]

I'm not a Vancouver lover - in fact I dream of getting out. However I have to accept it IS a 'nice' city. Beautiful views, beaches - a variety of ethnic foods that are actually authentic - its a very nice place to spend a couple of sanitized years.

But the people - so politically correct and distant. Go into a bar - everyone is sitting at their own table with their own group - zero interaction. Why not just drink at home? But tell an off-colour joke, or have a date who's a bit younger than you, or spark up a cigarette OUTSIDE, and listen to the church ladies tsk tsk. For a culture that blathers on and on about 'freedom' and 'rights', they sure like to confine behavior to their idea of 'appropriate'. god I hate that word.

And it is so damn isolated. From Hong Kong you are only a two-hour flight from HCMC, Bankkok (and Pattaya), Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta (and Kota and a gazillion other red light districts), Manila (and Angeles), Singapore (and Geylang), Shanghai (and Manhattans)... From any city in Europe you are only a couple hours away from any other city in Europe. From London, you've got the UK cities, plus Paris, Antwerp, Berlin and Frankfurt (with their FKK clubs that are definitely on my bucket list)

What are we two hours from? Kamloops? Calgary, Seattle, Portland... think of the vast cultural milieu available to us.

So yeah, I'll shut the door gently on the way out so as not to disturb anyone's slumber. And while I'm here I'll go have my beer at places where tourists go. So that I can strike up a conversation with a fellow boozer without being looked at like I'm from another planet.

 

[yazoo]

I guess it is :happy: Maybe it should have gone in the other thread...?

 

[87112]

I'm not a Vancouver lover - in fact I dream of getting out. However I have to accept it IS a 'nice' city. Beautiful views, beaches - a variety of ethnic foods that are actually authentic - its a very nice place to spend a couple of sanitized years.

But the people - so politically correct and distant. Go into a bar - everyone is sitting at their own table with their own group - zero interaction. Why not just drink at home? But tell an off-colour joke, or have a date who's a bit younger than you, or spark up a cigarette OUTSIDE, and listen to the church ladies tsk tsk. For a culture that blathers on and on about 'freedom' and 'rights', they sure like to confine behavior to their idea of 'appropriate'. god I hate that word.

And it is so damn isolated. From Hong Kong you are only a two-hour flight from HCMC, Bankkok (and Pattaya), Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta (and Kota and a gazillion other red light districts), Manila (and Angeles), Singapore (and Geylang), Shanghai (and Manhattans)... From any city in Europe you are only a couple hours away from any other city in Europe. From London, you've got the UK cities, plus Paris, Antwerp, Berlin and Frankfurt (with their FKK clubs that are definitely on my bucket list)

What are we two hours from? Kamloops? Calgary, Seattle, Portland... think of the vast cultural milieu available to us.

So yeah, I'll shut the door gently on the way out so as not to disturb anyone's slumber. And while I'm here I'll go have my beer at places where tourists go. So that I can strike up a conversation with a fellow boozer without being looked at like I'm from another planet.

Thats why I think its cool to live in San Diego. You are right next door to another place that is actually different unlike Seattle-Vancouver-Portland. They are pretty much one and the same to me in a way. You can go to Tijuana and do shit you can't get away with in the States. Some of the best scenery in the States right next door in Arizona. In fact I will be in TJ again later this month at the best brothel in North America Hong Kong bar.

 

[UhOh]

If Vancouver comes in at subpar that doesn't say much for the rest of the country. Would you rather be further east shoveling snow and dealing with -20C?
Vancouver is nothing special but if I have to be stuck in Canada this place may beat the other options. But don't kid yourself it would be near the bottom of any top ten desirable list.

 

[manni]

I'm not a Vancouver lover - in fact I dream of getting out. However I have to accept it IS a 'nice' city. Beautiful views, beaches - a variety of ethnic foods that are actually authentic - its a very nice place to spend a couple of sanitized years.

But the people - so politically correct and distant. Go into a bar - everyone is sitting at their own table with their own group - zero interaction. Why not just drink at home? But tell an off-colour joke, or have a date who's a bit younger than you, or spark up a cigarette OUTSIDE, and listen to the church ladies tsk tsk. For a culture that blathers on and on about 'freedom' and 'rights', they sure like to confine behavior to their idea of 'appropriate'. god I hate that word.

And it is so damn isolated. From Hong Kong you are only a two-hour flight from HCMC, Bankkok (and Pattaya), Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta (and Kota and a gazillion other red light districts), Manila (and Angeles), Singapore (and Geylang), Shanghai (and Manhattans)... From any city in Europe you are only a couple hours away from any other city in Europe. From London, you've got the UK cities, plus Paris, Antwerp, Berlin and Frankfurt (with their FKK clubs that are definitely on my bucket list)

What are we two hours from? Kamloops? Calgary, Seattle, Portland... think of the vast cultural milieu available to us.

So yeah, I'll shut the door gently on the way out so as not to disturb anyone's slumber. And while I'm here I'll go have my beer at places where tourists go. So that I can strike up a conversation with a fellow boozer without being looked at like I'm from another planet.

so true about what you say of what's within 2 hrs of Vancouver? cultural wasteland!
I backpacked through Europe for six months in my late 20's and I loved the fact that
all those cool cities you mentioned were merely hours apart by plane or train.
I wasn't into pooning at the time, although I wish I was. but it was a great six months
of life, carefree and anywhere to go at a moment's notice. plus the European ladies
were much more liberal when it came to casual sex. good times.

 

[manni]

I spent a couple of years roaming all over Europe and still have some major negative images in my mind. The rudeness of people in Paris, along with the line of urine from all the drunks peeing on the buildings and the pee smell. Italian cites you get the tourist menus and pay 30% more for everything, they totally rip you off. Greece is the same but the islands are beautiful, those old cities have a lot of wear and tear,but the history makes up for a lot of short comings. Taking a dump over there is quite an undertaking, you pay to poo and they ration the asswipe.
After a while I noticed you just can't get away from it all, every few miles another town or city, if you do make it to the mountains there are 100 other people hiking on the same trail you are on. It was wonderful to finally fly back over BC and see nothing but green with the odd road here and there, I had tears in my eyes when I finally touched down in Vancouver. Having lived in other crowded cities I can see now Vancouver heading down the same path it is getting crowded, the difference is you don't have far to go to get away from it all. There still is solace not far away for how much longer I don't know but I would rather live here than anywhere else, it's home!

I hope it wasn't all negative for you, Hatrick.
Canada just can't compete, historically speaking.

I split my journey between the big cities and the quaint villages,
and I preferred the genuine hospitality of the latter.

Europe for me is just full of history that still keeps me interested to this day,
especially the fine and contemporary art scene. I'm involved in the visual arts
and it's like pulling tooth and nails to make any noise in Vancouver.

but you're right, Vancouver isn't perfect, but it is home.

 

[badbadboy]

This guy http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/04/crown-prince-dubai-visits-vancouver-photos/ paid 55 million bucks for the top 3 floors of the Fairmont Pacific Rim and spent New Years here and in Whistler. His photos seem to show his love of the outdoors, I bet the choice of lady's here make for some great parties in the penthouse as well, lucky bastard! Looks like it was 2014, good times.

Funny I looked at his photo stream and all the outdoor shots were of him viewing a nice scene that he had probably driven to in a car, snow mobile or Zip Trekking .

 

[vancity_cowboy]

Funny I looked at his photo stream and all the outdoor shots were of him viewing a nice scene that he had probably driven to in a car, snow mobile or Zip Trekking .

you forgot helicopter there 3b

 

[greginvan]

The other day (Dec. 24, perhaps) I was walking along Robson near Burrard. Two people had signs saying they were offering "free hugs". One male & one female. I wondered, what's the catch. Wasn't in the mood, but if it was free DFKs or BBBJ's i might have been tempted.

On another occassion recently a young guy at the corner of Granville & Robson said rather quietly & with a poker face to someone or the crowds, ebola is a judgement of God. I began moving my feet quickly in the opposite direction.

Buying sex is now illegal in Vancouver. While within 2 blocks of Main & Hastings passing strangers are openly offered every drug known to mankind. Some real estate businesses are advertising this as the up & coming area to live.

What's your experience in this nice town? It seems to me, since returning to this fair land, that some ladies are quite friendly, while others are like skittish kitty cats, afraid of their own shadow.

Certainly lots of eye candy that's gets the juices flowing, as my guitar gently weeps, especially from (i'm guessing) China or Hong Kong.

Just to clarify - Vancouver Police have put out a statement that they are not going to enforce the ridiculous new laws. Good news for Vancouver pooners. They have better things to do with various social problems downtown.
http://www.straight.com/news/777406...law-wont-change-policing-priorities-vancouver

And to weigh in, I'm from Ontario originally and grateful to live in Vancouver. I'll take the mountains and rain over the snow. But world-class? Depends on your standards, but I'd hazard to say that its an infant sized cosmopolitan city. Great restaurants and scenery, but lacking in diversity of cultural activities and jobs. Expensive, but the ladies are great.

 

[Wannadance]

Just to clarify - Vancouver Police have put out a statement that they are not going to enforce the ridiculous new laws. Good news for Vancouver pooners. They have better things to do with various social problems downtown.
http://www.straight.com/news/777406...law-wont-change-policing-priorities-vancouver

And to weigh in, I'm from Ontario originally and grateful to live in Vancouver. I'll take the mountains and rain over the snow. But world-class? Depends on your standards, but I'd hazard to say that its an infant sized cosmopolitan city. Great restaurants and scenery, but lacking in diversity of cultural activities and jobs. Expensive, but the ladies are great.

Fair enough. But in your standards what is a "grown up" cosmopolitan city" and what diversity did you find in Ontario that you find lacking in Vancouver?

 

[vancity_cowboy]

whaddya mean - no diversity...

we've got chinese, taiwanese, korean, japanese, vietnamese, burmese, mongolian, indonesian, malaysian, cambodian, laotians, thais, and burmese (or whatever you call an immigrant from myanmar)

what more do you want?

oh, and pakistani!

 

[hornygandalf]

Both Toronto and Vancouver have in the region of 40% of their population with a mother tongue other than English.
Plenty of diversity in the range of tongues spoken here, albeit heavily weighted towards various Asian ones.
And there are not many cities internationally that can point to that proportion of the population having a mother tongue other than that of that geographic region.

 

[Wannadance]

whaddya mean - no diversity...

we've got chinese, taiwanese, korean, japanese, vietnamese, burmese, mongolian, indonesian, malaysian, cambodian, laotians, thais, and burmese (or whatever you call an immigrant from myanmar)

what more do you want?

oh, and pakistani!

You forgot to mention we also have urban cowboys but do we want more? Not really