Best place to live in Canada if you want.... ?

Question

Where would you say are the top Canadian cities to live in if you want:

a wealth of outdoor activities (e.g., hiking, sailing)

not too far from urban life (no further than 1 or 2 hour drive)

doesn't get too cold in the winters (it is Canada so I don't expect a miracle!)

lots of young people (in their 20's or 30's)

I currently live in Toronto and I feel like I need a change. I grew up here and just need a major life change. I dont know too much about many Canadian cities so I'm mainly looking at BC right now and trying to figure out the best cities there to live. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Victoria is nice but I am not sure there are a lot of people in their 20's and 30's there. Vancouver is nice but outrageously expensive but if you are going there from Toronto, you might not notice it a much as you would if you were from somewhere else. You would be handy to skiing and hiking and of course you would be right on the Pacific for water sports.

Banff/Canmore are about 80 miles from Calgary where there are a lot of people in that age group. Hard to beat the area for hiking, boating, skiing, snowboarding etc. The place was quite well established as a spot for winter sports in 1988 when they build all sorts of places like the speed skating rink in Calgary etc. It does get cold in the winter but is also on the path of the Chinook Winds which are warm and even when it is cold, we easterners do not notice is as much because it is also very dry.

You would certainly experience a change if you went east to Montreal. But I wouldn't do that unless you have some French - you could get by very nicely without it in your personal life but you would need it to work. But if you have it, it's a couple of hours drive to the ski resorts in the Laurentians and the restaurants and night life in Montreal are fabulous.

I have lived in 5 of the 10 provinces and really - this is one fabulous country and no matter where you go, it would be an adventure. The Maritimes are very nice but the winters on the Atlantic coast can be pretty chilling so you might want to save seeing those for the summer time.

Where ever you end up, enjoy!

Answer 2

I'd have to say Victoria.  Lots of hiking, ocean sailing and a decent night life.  You're only about 2 1/2 hours via ferry from Vancouver if you get the urge for a taste of the big city.  Winters are damp but little snow.  

The demographic of Victoria has changed over the years.  It used be called home of the 'newly wed and nearly dead'.  Not so much anymore.  Lots of younger people call Victoria home.  Bring your wallet though, because living in Victoria is expensive.

Answer 3

Vancouver, it has everything you wanted.

There are a bunch of like towns around it.

Answer 4

I moved from Toronto to Vancouver.  Going based on what the points that you have made:

Not too cold, well, it leaves you only BC, and even then, not too far North.

Wealth of outdoor activities:  Endless

If One hour from Urban life is good enough:  White Rock,  Horseshoe Bay, are good places.

North Shore (the so called West and North Vancouver) are only half an hour from downtown, with an urban life of their own.

If I have to pick one are, and that is where I live myself, I would say Deep Cove in North Vancouver.  You would be living at the base of a mountain, 20 minuted away from 3 ski hills, two of them bigger than Blue Mountain.  You are by the ocean, and it feels as if you are living in a village.

But I should tell you, and I am not kidding.  As cold as Toronto gets, It still will take a long time, for most, to get used to the rain in here.

It took me four years to adjust, not only the rain, but to the change.  But, I know people who fell in love with the place, the moment they arrived.

Answer 5

Try Banff or Whistler - lots of young people, great outdoors, lots of $$ from tourists.....no warm weather hahaha

Answer 6

We have lived in White Rock  less rain than Vancouver  great beaches  near the US border  Close to surrey Vancouver Richmond  ladner  The ferry terminal  Shopping not bad one mall, In the same area  Cresent Beach   .With the Olympics comming  to vancouver area lots of work  Go tyo hellobc  and tourismvancover  .lots of free guides

Answer 7

Victoria is the best choice.

The part of Victoria I prefer is Oak Bay.