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Vancouver is so damn expensive. Especially consumer goods and groceries, compared to what I was used to in California. I love how new things are and of course the scenery--but also the amenities of living in a bigger city.
San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle aren't as nice. The BART system in SF makes loud screeching sounds, and the housing stock and prices suck.
I visited Seattle and wasn't impressed. It's only half as pretty. Freeways all over. Not much to do as a visitor.
Any other ideas? Even if it's on another continent?
Vancouver is pretty unique. Portland is nice and shares some similarities with Vancouver. Portland has a more working class vibe and is a bit grittier. Vancouver is more sterile. I think Vancouver is prettier but it's up to you if the significantly higher COL is worth it.
Vancouver is so damn expensive. Especially consumer goods and groceries, compared to what I was used to in California. I love how new things are and of course the scenery--but also the amenities of living in a bigger city.
San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle aren't as nice. The BART system in SF makes loud screeching sounds, and the housing stock and prices suck.
I visited Seattle and wasn't impressed. It's only half as pretty. Freeways all over. Not much to do as a visitor.
Any other ideas? Even if it's on another continent?
People say Melbourne, Australia has some things in common with Vancouver...I've never been, but I hear it is also expensive like most of Australia.
Durban, South Africa or Cape Town look stunning, but I would look at crime stats.
Even San Fran which gets compared to Vancouver a lot is missing the fact that it's in Canada, which I believe does give it a certain vibe.
I love lists. I would make a list of what you must have in the city you want to live in and then start crossing out what you can give up.
It's sort of like buying a house, your wish list may not be able to be met when hit with the reality. You are going to have to compromise on something.
Vancouver is so damn expensive. Especially consumer goods and groceries, compared to what I was used to in California. I love how new things are and of course the scenery--but also the amenities of living in a bigger city.
San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle aren't as nice. The BART system in SF makes loud screeching sounds, and the housing stock and prices suck.
I visited Seattle and wasn't impressed. It's only half as pretty. Freeways all over. Not much to do as a visitor.
Any other ideas? Even if it's on another continent?
Australia and New Zealand have some cities with similarities, but the COL is similar or worse than Vancouver. Consumer goods especially are cheaper in America then pretty much anywhere else in the world, and food is mostly cheaper as well, because of the agricultural subsidies. If you want a Canadian city near some amazing nature, with lots of new buildings, Vancouver influenced architecture, some big city amenities, a pretty good LRT system, lots of young people and good jobs, I'd go for Calgary. No provincial sales tax, generally lower priced real estate, and insane job prospects, but you've got to deal with its metro being half the size of Vancouver's, it being very sprawly outside of the downtown + Beltline area (roughly like DT Van + West End), and that it has actual winter. As someone from a warm climate, I understand that may be a deal breaker, but it's the best advice I can give you, your ideal city doesn't exist as there are few cities that are similar to Vancouver.
Within Canada, I'd suggest Ottawa or Halifax. Both are smaller than Vancouver (especially Halifax), but offer a good level of urban sophistication and affordable prices.
Vancouver is more expensive because it's nicer. You want cheap? Move to Texas or Ohio.
I don't even think it's that bad. My Canadian friend shares a 2 bedroom apartment with 3 people and he only pays $575 for his share. It's in the West End just a few blocks from the beach. Their groceries are $100 each a month; they shop at No Frills. You can live well in Vancouver on relatively little money, it just depends on if you wanna make some sacrifices, and how important home ownership is to you.
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