Can someone tell me the pros and cons of living in a city? Vancouver to be exact?

Question

I plan on moving there in 3 years.

Answer 1

Moved here as adult so can offer a view:  Vancouver and the surrounding cities (Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, North Van etc)  known as "lower mainland"  are this mid-sized cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city of 1.5 million bordered by mountains, oceans and dense amazing greenery.  Its a city in a beautiful environment and consisently rates near the top in the world for livability.   But its also in a very physically contained space. Whats that Joni Mitchell song... dont know what ya got til its gone?

Pros;  mild climate, few snow days in winter but 4 seasons

           no humidity in the generally sunny summer

           mountains (ski,cycle,hikle) wilderness at the doorstep

           ocean playground (kayak,sail,dive, fish)

           economy decent  for now (in city)

           healthcare decent and universal (in city)

           really no major race issues  

Cons: -lots of rain Oct=Apr. overcast and

            misty, lots of drizzles but can drench 2 weeks solid.

            (if you suffer "seasonal depression disorder"

             that can be oppressive. Most acclimatize over

            time and rain really doesnt stop you from outdoor,.

.

           -crime rates (b/e,auto,vandalism) high relative

           to other Cdn cities largely an outcrop of drug

           addicts especially downtown eastside but that fans

           out across lower mainland crime wise.  Gangs in

            the drug trade regular exchange brazen killings.

            Sometimes innocent others get in the way

           -traffic is moderate to severly congested

            at all bridges in and out. A bridge closes... chaos

           -house prices outrageous (rents not so bad)

            3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1800sqft plain ranchers in

           Vancouver city $800-$900K

            in North Van >$1million for same and in west van if

            you have to ask about price forget it.

            Up Valley (communte 1hr) same for $600-$750K

          

Answer 2

pros- everything u need is out side ur door step, lots of friend, the ocean, dont have to travel far to do anything, range of different cultures

cons- to many people, smog ,its a rat race, expencive