Sure, Calgary has a few things going on.
And Toronto does, too.
But have you ever seen Vancouver?
Seriously.
Coastal mountains, a natural harbour as beautiful as any in the world, a culturally diverse population, endless cuisine options, a hearty shopping scene…
Forget it, we’re going for a hike.
You keep reading if you need to hear all the reasons this city is the best option in Canada for notable young professionals, but we’re just going to go ahead and enjoy the outdoor enthusiast’s wet-dream that is Vancouver…
The Great Outdoors
As one of the most livable cities in the world, there are few activities that Vancouver’s landscape does not permit.
Our city is the only one in Canada (if you’re really committed) where you can rock climb, paddleboard, ski, mountain bike, hike, and sail all in the same day.
While the city itself is strewn with hiking and biking trails of all kinds, it’s also kitty corner to some of the most gorgeous outdoor sport destinations in the world.
Um, Whistler anyone? Cool, it’s an hour and a half away.
Want to hit a rock-climbing mecca? Squamish is a short baley from downtown.
Oh, and there’s a little something we like to call THE GULF ISLANDS waiting a quick boat ride from shore.
Living in Vancouver, you’d essentially have to make a concerted effort to have ‘nothing to do’.
Take a Look
If you’re not one to partake in outdoor activities, just looking at Vancouver’s scenic landscape is enough to keep you captivated three sixty five.
The contrast of the North Shore Mountains with the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver’s metropolitan skyline makes it easy on the eyes…and your Instagram feed. With sprawling boardwalks, walkways, trails, and cafés, it’s a city that’s designed for people to drool over.
Though we may complain about extended periods of rain, in comparison to our friends back east, we’re fortunate enough to endure mild winters with temperatures typically not in the negatives.
Which means for us, winter does not have to equal staying inside.
Vancouver is also a green city – and we’re not talking about the recycling program. It has a tremendous amount of green space with Stanley Park being one of the largest urban parks in the world.
You’ll notice this too, as soon as you arrive. Well, that and the no-snow we have on the ground.
People Are Actually Nice
If you’ve ever lived in another city cursed with urban sprawl, you’ll be surprised that people in Vancouver don’t glare at you when they see you walking on the street because yes, people actually walk places here.
Whether it’s because Vancouver is one of the most exercise-obsessed cities in the world – thus everyone has a steady supply of serotonin kicking through their brain – or all the clean air is keeping them high on life, the main takeaway is that people generally won’t ever scowl at you on the street.
In fact, everyone’s just pretty damn friendly all the time.
Which is nice.
Eat Your Heart Out
With upwards of 2,000,000 people living in metro Vancouver and forty-three per cent of those belonging to an ethnocultural background, it’s no wonder Vancouver offers some of the most diverse restaurant options in Canada.
Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese (yea, just named the BRIC Big Four), Mexican, Persian, Korean, French, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, Greek, Ethiopian – we could keep going but we’re getting hungry…
Vancouver’s food scene is a major point of pride for many locals and not without good reason. Its culinary participants have a long established tradition of offering world-class haute cuisine. Many restaurants have capitalized on Vancouver’s incredible access to fresh and ethically sourced seafood, making it a bastion for Pacific North West cuisine and a wide array of seafood establishments.
As a health conscious city, Vancouver has also quickly adapted the farm to table scene, where restaurants such as Fable and Farmer’s Apprentice support the 100-mile lifestyle and source produce from local Fraser Valley farmers.
But aside from the food, we have to make sure we give a shout out to the drinks, too. The recent surge of juice bars, craft beer pubs, and a longtime café scene has made your thirst quenching options nearly overwhelming. There isn’t a neighbourhood in Vancouver, from SoMa to Kits to Gastown, where you won’t find a coffee bar roasting its own brews and offering its own unique vibe.
Shopping Variety
Gastown is one of the most stylish neighbourhoods in the world and luxury row, Alberni Street, is always a premium shopping stop.
And while it’s heavily argued that Vancouver is not a fashion city, (we won’t even get started on that debate), it’s impossible to contend that the retail landscape is doing anything other than growing.
With Canada’s biggest Nordstrom, Saks, Holt Renfrew, AND Hudson’s Bay soon to be within blocks of one another, a vibrant mix of independently owned boutiques, a multitude of large concept stores gracing Robson Street – Tesla, Sephora, Lululemon and soon, Apple – and that heavy dose of luxury on Alberni Street we mentioned, shopping will no longer be saved for trips across the border or while traveling abroad.
Though we didn’t feel Vancouver needed vouching for in the first place, for those of you who don’t already live here, we expect you’ll be moving soon.
See you at the beach. Literally.
Tell us: why do you live in Vancouver? What keeps you here? Why do you love it? Let us know and we’ll follow this up with another list soon.
#NOTABLE
Cover photo from: istock.com/mfron
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