Not Vancouver Bashing

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Vancouver's economy is such that they've virtually only added residential population to its downtown. Starts to feel a bit like a high rise suburb to Burnaby or Richmond.

Except with more passed out heroin addicts and vacant lots.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bunk

I'd say the biggest advantage of Vancouver over Calgary (besides natural scenery) is that it's 15-20 years ahead in terms of reurbanizing its core (naturally, because it's a much larger city). Vancouver has done a better job than just about anyone in creating a liveable and vibrant core - largely by creating a critical mass of residential population. They also have done an exceptional job maintaining a very high standard of urban design. Calgary's largely on the same path (partially because lots of Vancouver developers are becoming active in Calgary), lots of good stuff happening, but will naturally take some time to catch up.

The advantage Calgary will have is that it will continue to have a thriving and growing Central Business District, but also add big residential populations, creating a good balance. Vancouver's economy is such that they've virtually only added residential population to its downtown. Starts to feel a bit like a high rise suburb to Burnaby or Richmond.

Great post, bunk.

One thing I don't get is people complaining about the traffic and getting places, but I think that's probably do with Calgary culture transplant.

In Calgary, you drive everywhere, therefore, when you get to a city that is not engineered to drive everywhere, it makes things seem like a pain in the ass to get around, when in actual fact, everything is more accessible negating the need to drive.

Calgarians and their driving. It's is a definitive thing when they visit.
"Let's go grab a bite."
"Ok, who's driving?"
"Uhm, nobody, it's a 10 minute walk."

A significant part of that is obviously climate. It's never too cold for me to walk outside for up to 45 minutes or wait at a bus stop at night for 20.

Another significant part though is the car culture of Alberta.

[sun]

Greenery year-round offsets the grey skies, in my mind. But the overcast days do start to wear on you come spring. Tough city to beat in the summer though.

I think Vancouver is an amazing city if you are wealthy or a bit of a youngish bum (like myself) who doesn't mind the trade offs that come with living in a pretty sweet location (renting instead of buying). Seems like it would be a very difficult place to buy a house and start a family though. Some of the dumps I see for a million+ would make you lol.

I avoid rush hour traffic whenever possible, so I don't notice a huge difference compared to Deerfoot/Crowchild/Glenmore/etc. The area I'm in has a walkscore of 100 compared to the areas I was living in in Calgary which were maximum 50/100 probably, so I guess I can't really compare my experience here to the nice, walkable parts of Calgary.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Here's the breakdown for commutes within each CMA from the census (06 - the '11 census is useless thanks to the Conservatives)

That is a census from eight years ago Bunk, you can't be serious. The transit system in Vancouver bears no resemblance at all to 2006, the Canada Line and changes surrounding the olympics have completely altered it. In 2006, I lived in Richmond and Translink was an abomination of awfulness. Nowadays, if I lived basically anywhere in the lower mainland I would be using the Skytrain constantly - park & ride, 20 minutes to downtown.

EDIT: I completely agree with everything you had to say about the restaurant scene and core though.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Just spent a rain drench week in Vancouver and I have to wonder why such high praises for this city that she constantly ranks top 5 in the world.

Last week? Don't know where you were but I only saw rain once.

[Tinordi]

Vancouver's got some pretty great restaurants. Better than Calgary for sure when it comes to everyday fare. High end Calgary is probably close to Vancouver but the sheer volume and quality of the ethnic food is fantastic not to mention the awesome craft beer scene in Van as compared to the craft beer wasteland that is Calgary.

[Tinordi]

Bunk are those transit numbers for Vancouver only or Metro Van?

Have a very hard time believing them.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Last week? Don't know where you were but I only saw rain once.

Haha, that reminds of one of my all time favorite CP moments. It was back when VANFLAMESFAN would defend Vancouver tooth and nail. Then one day in some Vancouver related thread, someone made a quip about it always being rainy.

VFF responded snippily, saying something like "Really, cause I'm in Vancouver, looking out my window right now and the sun's shining bright" Then someone (MMF I think) posted a link to a live webcam of downtown Vancouver, and it was an absolute downpour. Like so rainy that you couldn't even pretend it wasn't downpouring anywhere within half an hour of this camera.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Except with more passed out heroin addicts and vacant lots.

Vancouver and Victoria have the most street people in the country because we have by far the most clement climate. We get the rest of Western Canada's homeless.

I agree with the OP btw. Vancouver sucks. Horrid weather, busy, expensive. Victoria is infinitely better. Less than a third of the rain, way more sunshine, half the snow (Vancouver had a lot of snow this year - we had absolutely zero). Plus the city is cleaner, cheaper, less busy (although it's less "fun" as many people point out).

But ya, I hate it when people point to the "bum" issue, because it's not fair at all. When you have half the country's bums concentrated in a couple cities, there's going to be an obvious presence.

[Tinordi]

Victoria is boring as hell

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Bunk are those transit numbers for Vancouver only or Metro Van?

Have a very hard time believing them.

CMA is metro. Only way to make an apples to apple comparison as Calgary is a unicity and Vancouver is not. Of course the City of Vancouver mode share is very different, just as the City of Calgary's would be of it encapsulated only downtown and inner city.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Victoria just has too many old people.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by evman150

Vancouver and Victoria have the most street people in the country because we have by far the most clement climate. We get the rest of Western Canada's homeless.

I agree with the OP btw. Vancouver sucks. Horrid weather, busy, expensive. Victoria is infinitely better. Less than a third of the rain, way more sunshine, half the snow (Vancouver had a lot of snow this year - we had absolutely zero). Plus the city is cleaner, cheaper, less busy (although it's less "fun" as many people point out).

But ya, I hate it when people point to the "bum" issue, because it's not fair at all. When you have half the country's bums concentrated in a couple cities, there's going to be an obvious presence.

Yeah, but in terms of posting positive and negatives of a city, it doesn't really matter how they got there, or whether it's fair or not. The point is, they're there.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Haha, that reminds of one of my all time favorite CP moments. It was back when VANFLAMESFAN would defend Vancouver tooth and nail. Then one day in some Vancouver related thread, someone made a quip about it always being rainy.

VFF responded snippily, saying something like "Really, cause I'm in Vancouver, looking out my window right now and the sun's shining bright" Then someone (MMF I think) posted a link to a live webcam of downtown Vancouver, and it was an absolute downpour. Like so rainy that you couldn't even pretend it wasn't downpouring anywhere within half an hour of this camera.

Link please hahaha

[sa226]

I have spent an average amount in most of the major Canadian cities.

Downtown Toronto is fantastic, vibrant and you can always find something to do. God help you if you live in the burbs.

Montreal, also fantastic. I love that city.

If Ottawa was a color it would be beige.

Winnipeg gets a bad rap. I enjoyed my time there. If you're looking for a city life style, you will be sorely disappointed. It has a certain charm though.

Edmonton is just a bigger Winnipeg, with a bit more culture.

Vancouver is also a fantastic city. The whole area is a playground. For 2 months of the year it is by far the most beautiful city in Canada.

But Calgary is home, it always has been. Even when I was away for 8 years, Calgary was still home. I don't get why people engage in debates or try to convince themselves that their city is better. Everybody gets something different out of where they live.

[afc wimbledon]

One of the things I love about Vancouver is it's so connected to the rest of the west coast. I hit Seattle for concerts at least once a month, the Oregon coast is spectacular and outstanding for a good dirty weekend, there's also Tofino and the sunshine coast.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Link please hahaha

Haha, oh man, hopefully someone else remembers where it was. I wanna say it was an Olympic related thread from 2010, or slightly earlier. I definitly recall it being about the Vancouver Olympics.

[peter12]

Most beautiful city in Canada, but as a place for anyone but established professionals, or people willing to substitute wages for lifestyle, it is just a really gorgeous place to visit.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Haha, that reminds of one of my all time favorite CP moments. It was back when VANFLAMESFAN would defend Vancouver tooth and nail. Then one day in some Vancouver related thread, someone made a quip about it always being rainy.

VFF responded snippily, saying something like "Really, cause I'm in Vancouver, looking out my window right now and the sun's shining bright" Then someone (MMF I think) posted a link to a live webcam of downtown Vancouver, and it was an absolute downpour. Like so rainy that you couldn't even pretend it wasn't downpouring anywhere within half an hour of this camera.

It rains out here alot but I was back and forth between Vancouver and North Vancouver alot last week as my parents were in for a visit and it was suppose to be pretty ####ty but was actually pretty nice other than some wicked wind.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by sun

Greenery year-round offsets the grey skies, in my mind. But the overcast days do start to wear on you come spring. Tough city to beat in the summer though.

I agree with that. The overcast winters on the coast are annoying, no question about that. But I'll take it 100 times out of 100 because the precipitation is responsible for much of the beauty of the West Coast. A couple hundred extra hours of sunshine a year isn't worth the trade off for a more barren landscape. Though I do a lot of stuff outdoors, so others may feel differently.