I'm moving to Vancouver from Ontario. What's the biggest lifestyle change I'll have to adjust to?

Question

Moving next week. Will be looking for a job and aprtment when I arrive. Any suggestions there?

Answer 1

It depends on where in Ontario you live.

The other Answerers give you a pretty good summary. Let me give a few caveats and additions. If you live in the Toronto area, Perplexed Music Lover's remark about Vancouver restaurants should be tempered. The culinary scene and breadth in Toronto, except for Chinese and Indian, is far more expansive (reflecting Toronto's current situation of being the most multicultural city in the world). However, on average B.C. wines are notably superior to Niagara and other Ontario wines (which is why the LCBO runs out so quickly of the small selection of B.C. wines it manages to stock), and the B.C. retail store system for wines, although a bit complicated with four differing retail store types (plus the wineries) where one can buy a bottle for one's home dinner, equates to more outlets and is therefore more consumer convenient.

Although it most rarely snows in Vancouver and the flatlands to the east and south, 1000 metre mountains, with ski slopes, begin in the near northern suburbs just a few kilometres from downtown! The scenery within an hour's drive is of course more aweing than almost anything in Ontario, but one misses the autumn colours.

Compared to Toronto and even Ottawa, Vancouver is severely deficient in the fine arts scene, especially Euro-centric classical arts (symphony, opera, ballet, etc., etc.). One may go to Seattle but that is a schlep.

The economy is Asian directed (as might be expected, but it still feels a bit strange at first). As are most immigrants; not the world-wide melange of Toronto.

There is not the intense newspaper competition of Ontario in general and Toronto in particular to ride herd on the politicians.

The politics somewhat and the principal university (Fraser) a great deal less Liberal.

Answer 2

Sounds as though you should aim at the West End or Yaletown (both close to the heart of the city). Only trouble is, they're fairly pricey. If that's a problem, you might want to look for accommodation in Burnaby, out around Central Park area, and commute via the Sky Train. Mrs. Foster is a little confused. Hastings runs east and west, so there isn't anything east of hastings. If you go along hastings to the Renfrew area, you're okay, and the commute from there to downwtown is an easy one.

Answer 3

Biggest change will be getting used to going out jogging or playing tennis in your shorts, in February. Vancouver is a very active city, and outdoor sports are prime, all year round.
Looking for a job and an apartment? The former is easy. Construction industry is screaming for help. The latter is more difficult -- rents tend to be on the high side in Vancouver.
Did you know Whistler is advertising for staff for this winter?

Answer 4

THE RAIN....but at least you don't have to shovel it. I recommend to all my Ontario friends to treat themselves for the condition "SADS". You will know what I'm talking about after 1 winter here.

Jobs are easy to come by throughout the province....depends on what you can do. The less expensive apartments are outside the downtown core. Look in burnaby, surrey or poco. The transit is fairly decent, but most still rely on a car.

Answer 5

No snow (well, almost), except on the mountains.

Rain and rain and more rain in November.

Golfing in February.

Winter temperatures seldom fall below -5 degrees, so you can get away with wearing only a sweater or light jacket most of the winter months, except when it's raining, of course.

Expect to pay more for car insurance (maybe), gasoline (maybe), and parking (maybe).

You can eat out in a different restaurant every night. We have some of the best chefs in the world, and cuisine from almost every nation.

We have lots of outdoor recreational opportunities, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, beach-combing, golfing, tennis, sailing, kayaking, cycling, jogging, etc.

Rent and real estate prices are probably higher, for example, $500,000 buys a (well used) 900 sq. ft. apartment in a desirable part of the city.

Good luck on your move, and welcome!

Answer 6

I was born & raised there. Everyone is laid back and the weather is so much warmer. You can leave your parka here, the temp doesn't go below zero often. Have fun at Wreck Beach in the summer

Answer 7

you're gonna love it here...no more humidity! If you a French you'll notice less French people,our bus system also is not as good and things are more costly. But our beaches and mountains make up for all of that....hope you enjoy it here!

Answer 8

When you get up in the morning, your friends in Ontario will be eating their lunch.

Answer 9

mountainous, also u can go swimming in vancouver island.u can go 2 cathedral grove too and go whale watching.

Answer 10

You will start going to Yoga classes.