About British Columbia |
To say that Vancouver is an underrated city is an understatement! Sure, it's not as romantic as Paris, not as big as New York, and probably not as glamorous as LA! But there's something charming about Vancouver that no other major city in the world has. There's a gentleness in the air and excitement within the spirit of Vancouver. Not to mention the strong sense of community here! Whether you're traveling as a tourist or you're looking for a new home, consider going to Vancouver next! You'll find there's more to this city than meets the eye!
With a population of 2.581 million, Vancouver is one of the busiest cities in Canada. A beautiful balance of nature and an urban metropolis, it speaks to a certain kind of traveler. One that likes going about town just as much as he/she would enjoy hiking. When you get here, you'll see that the more nature-bound parts of the city are just as exciting as the more urban areas. That alone makes it more unique than other major cities. Furthermore, though Vancouver is a diverse city, English is still the main language here. But you don't have to worry if you're not fluent. There are many fine English-language schools here!
It's no secret that Canada has very extreme weather patterns. So as much as you may want to travel to Vancouver whenever you want, you might want to decide on which months to go there very carefully. More often than not, the best time to travel to Vancouver is either from March to May and September to November. Essentially, during spring and autumn. It's these months where the climate is calm, there are were crowds on the street, and most, if not all of the attractions are open.
Vancouver doesn't have enough credit as an exciting city. It may not be as busy as New York or as romantic as Paris, but that doesn't mean it's any less of a great destination. Take the various neighborhoods in Vancouver, for example. There's always something in store in each and every one of them. For that bustling urban lifestyle, check out Downtown Vancouver for all the action. For novel old-world appeal, visit Gastown and its famous steam clock. The West End, on the other hand, is the affluent district, home to high-class retailers, luxury apartments, five-star establishments, and more!
Vancouver has so many amazing sights and spots, each more fascinating than the next, that you wouldn't know where to start! The interesting thing about Vancouver is the top attractions here are diverse, with some that a lot of people would like more than others.
For instance, the more adventurous travelers would opt to go to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, an exciting nature trail in the middle of the forest. Meanwhile, Granville Island will draw the more artistic travelers, those who prefer to marvel at beautiful artworks than be one with nature. Rest assured, no matter what you're interests are, there's a place for you in Vancouver!
One of the benefits of Vancouver being an underrated city is that it's more affordable to stay here. It's not like in Rome, Los Angeles, and the like where living costs go through the roof! Here, you can stay comfortable without taking a huge toll on your bank account! A great example is buying groceries. A ton of groceries that can last you around two weeks at most will only cost you C$200.00. And if you prefer to dine out, a good meal can cost a minimum of C$5.00 to a maximum of C$125.00. Not bad, right?
For the most part, the stereotype rings true—Canadians are very nice people. At times, even to a fault! This isn't to say there aren't any bad people here, but as long as you don't offend anyone in Vancouver, you'll be fine.
However, you'd be surprised by how easily up can turn off people here in Canada. As simple as leaning on your elbow on the table, pointing at people, or even discussing sex so brazenly out in the open can lead to a lot of glares and angry stares. Such are the customs in Canada.
Despite 'being one with nature,' Vancouver is an urban city through and through. This means that people will also have an easy time traveling via public transport. Like any other major city, Vancouver has railway systems, buses, trams, and more. There are even sea buses that can take you through any body of water that's on your route! And while commuting can get complicated at times, there are still those nifty transportation apps to help you along the way!
One of the best things about Canada is its healthcare system. Did you know that it's considered one of the finest in the world? Operating on a universal system, practically everybody has coverage in this country. And if you don't—especially if you're a tourist—you can easily get private insurance from the international providers that also operate here. This means that, when you go to any of Vancouver's best hospitals, you can still get subsidized rates and a whole lot of benefits. Though going to the likes of Vancouver General Hospital and Mount Saint Joseph Hospital will already benefit you a whole lot!
The Canadian is quite interesting. It's pretty much a cross between European tastes to American cooking. As both places have influenced the North American nation in more ways than one, it's easy to see what those who prefer such cuisines would enjoy eating in Vancouver.
There's an appreciation for meat like the Americans, but a delicate touch you'll mostly taste in European cities. And, of course, the sweets! Maple syrup (especially on pancakes) is pretty much a Canadian signature, after all! However, as Vancouver is pretty diverse, you can also expect a lot of other cuisines to pop up in the city. From Mexican and Jamaican to Indian and Filipino, you can taste all sorts of countries in Vancouver.
As with any other country, Canada has a handful of public holidays to observe and celebrate year after year. And if you're planning a trip to Vancouver, you ought to know some of them. There's Family Day (Every February), Victoria Day (Every May), Canada Day (July 1), and a bunch of civic holidays. During these times, Vancouver gets to take a break, people get to have a free day to spend with family or simply have fun. And whether you're here just as a tourist or you're moving to Vancouver, going here on any of these holidays is great for meeting locals!
Moving to Vancouver is serious business. No matter how you enjoyed and navigated the city well on your first visit, actually bringing (or changing) your entire life here is a completely different story! There are tons of information you ought to know, a lot of documents you need to bring, and even a few accounts to make!
Sounds exhausting, right? Well, it doesn't have to be! Our relocation guide can help you with your relocation even before you step foot in Vancouver! And if you brush up on what's on it, you're sure to be on the right path to a seamless transition to a new life in this city!
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