With a population of more than 600,000 people, it’s hard to believe that any two Vancouver residents could have very much in common.
But the truth is, as unique and diverse as every Vancouverite may be, they’re always recognizable even when they’re removed from their natural mountain habitat.
Maybe the yoga mat is a dead giveaway, or perhaps it’s the vintage Vancouver Grizzlies hat – but there are plenty of items that every Vancouverite needs to own to survive living in the coastal city.
1. Umbrella
It’s not that there are continual heavy downpours in Vancouver. It’s more of a constant drizzle… for several months at a time. So any seasoned Vancouverite knows that an umbrella is the most practical thing they can own. This also means they understand rain gear etiquette and would never be seen walking down Granville Street with a giant golf umbrella.
Photo – @hobopeeba
2. Yoga Mat
Vancouverites are known for their laid-back lifestyles, which is why it should come as no surprise that residents love partaking in a yoga class every chance they can. Whether you’re perfecting your downward dog during an outdoor class around the Olympic torch in Coal Harbour, or catching a class at one of the many studios downtown — owning a yoga mat is a must.
Photo – @therunnurse
3. Compass Pass for Skytrain
On the days you need to go outside of the downtown core, every Vancouverite knows the best way to get around is on the trusty skytrain — except for when it has one of its infamous delays. You also know what stations the transit security like to do their ticket checks — cough, cough, Commercial Drive — so the best way to avoid getting a ticket and being humiliated in front of other transit riders is to have a Compass Pass.
Photo – 24 Hours
4. Vintage Vancouver Grizzlies Memorabilia
It doesn’t matter that Vancouver’s only shot at an NBA team was extremely short lived, Vancouverites still love that for a few years we actually had a basketball team to cheer for. Which is why residents still proudly wear their vintage Grizzlies jerseys and hats.
Photo – Jacked Sports
5. A Bike
When you live in a city that’s as eco-friendly as Vancouver you know the only way to get around is by bike. This is especially true given that you can ride your bike all year round (even if you might get a bit wet).
Photo – Jon Lewis
6. Something From Lululemon
Since opening up its first shop in 2001, Lululemon has been keeping Vancouverites suited from head-to-toe in athletic wear. And regardless of where you are in the city — the grocery store, on the seawall, at a Canucks game, or at the gym — you’ll always find Vancouverites in Lululemon gear.
7. Vancouver Canucks Jersey
Vancouverites are really good at jumping on the bandwagon when the Canucks are winning and we definitely don’t take losing well. But no matter how many times our boys have let us down we still proudly rock our Luongo and Kesler jerseys — even though they bailed on us, which we’re clearly not bitter about.
Photo – Jessica Haydah
8. A Friend With a Boat
No summer in Vancouver would be complete without at least one epic afternoon spent on a boat cruising through English Bay. The Vancouver boating experience is made even better by the beautiful scenery surrounding the city — on one side there are the beautiful mountains, on the other the cityscape, and of course the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. And if you aren’t one of the lucky few who own a boat you better become close with a boat owner stat, so you can take advantage of the beautiful boating weather Vancouverites are blessed with every summer.
Photo – Vancouver Boat Rentals
9. A Weed Hookup
Whether you want to admit it or not, every millennial living in Vancouver has “a guy” for when they need to get their hands on that highly coveted B.C. bud.
10. An Apartment You Can’t Afford
It’s no secret that everything costs more in Vancouver, but when it comes to finding a condo relatively close to downtown you’ll always be paying an arm and a leg to live in a shoe-box. But you proudly work two full-time jobs just so you can afford your place. Hey, it’s the cost of living in a world-class city, right?
Photo – AirBnB
11. A Snowboard or a Pair of Skies
Considering the city’s proximity to the mountains, every true Vancouverite has an old snowboard or pair of skis hiding in their closet. As you got older they may have started to collect dust from lack of use, because you spend more time enjoying the après ski festivities than actually shredding down the mountain.
Photo – whistlerblackcomb.com
12. Vancity T-shirt
Remember the good old days of hitting up Dipt on Hornby Street and getting matching Vancity Original tank tops and t-shirts with all of your friends? These were a must have during the summer, especially at music festivals, so you could proudly rep your favourite city. And although you might not wear it as much as you used to, you proudly have one of these shirts hanging in your closet like a badge of honor.
Photo – vancityoriginal.com