Q: I plan on moving there in 3 years.
A: Moved here as adult so can offer a view: Vancouver and the surrounding cities (Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, North Van etc) known as "lower mainland" are this mid-sized cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city of 1.5 million bordered by mountains, oceans and dense amazing greenery. Its a city in a beautiful environment and consisently rates near the top in the world for livability. But its also in a very physically contained space. Whats that Joni Mitchell song... dont know what ya got til its gone? Pros; mild climate, few snow days in winter but 4 seasons no humidity in the generally sunny summer mountains (ski,cycle,hikle) wilderness at the doorstep ocean playground (kayak,sail,dive, fish) economy decent for now (in city) healthcare decent and universal (in city) really no major race issues Cons: -lots of rain Oct=Apr. overcast and misty, lots of drizzles but can drench 2 weeks solid. (if you suffer "seasonal depression disorder" that can be oppressive. Most acclimatize over time and rain really doesnt stop you from outdoor,. . -crime rates (b/e,auto,vandalism) high relative to other Cdn cities largely an outcrop of drug addicts especially downtown eastside but that fans out across lower mainland crime wise. Gangs in the drug trade regular exchange brazen killings. Sometimes innocent others get in the way -traffic is moderate to severly congested at all bridges in and out. A bridge closes... chaos -house prices outrageous (rents not so bad) 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1800sqft plain ranchers in Vancouver city $800-$900K in North Van >$1million for same and in west van if you have to ask about price forget it. Up Valley (communte 1hr) same for $600-$750K
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