I'm sorry you hate this city. It is my home.

I regularly read posts here about how hard Vancouver is to be happy in. I don't disagree completely with people's reasons but I can't understand why so many people get mad with the city for not being happy. Just because we're not for you doesn't mean we are the cause of your feeling of rejection. Vancouver, British Columbia: the largest city in the most peaceful corner of Earth. I am proud to say that I was born and raised in Metro Vancouver. I'm a first generation Canadian of mixed race so being on the West Coast of Canada affords me so many rights that my ancestors never had the privilege of exercising. Surrounded by beautiful nature and small towns not far away for the cozy quaint feeling, this space is very young in the context of development when compared globally to other cities our size. The city itself has a short but rich history. Fascinatingly, we've had some growing pains every time we've been on the world stage in the last few decades ('86 Expo, '97 Hong Kong Independence Financial Scare, '10 Olympics) because we can never somehow learn the best way to deal with the inevitable influx of interest with each major event. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it is hard to navigate socially. Yes, it is a lot of work to participate in the culture. Yes, the transit is lacking. Yes, we are outgrowing our civil resources. Yes, the political landscape is upsetting. Yes, education is for the elite or indebted. Yes, there is corruption and crime. HOWEVER: Many of us fight to afford this by working as much as possible and being frugal. Then we go out and make new friends. We invite those friends to the many, many incredible events happening on the downlow around this city. On those nights we leave the party early to catch the last night bus home or close down the bar at a stupidly early hour only to afterparty at the beach and walk home. We forgive how stretched our services are by sweeping the street ourselves but also then fight for our rights and well being by reading up on who represents us in government. While we are at it, we educate ourselves on everything else with books from our incredible libraries (digitally available, BTW) and the endless tool that is online access where you can research nearly anything for a low monthly rate of your internet bill (or if you're as broke as most of us are, you can be gifted Neighbournet privileges by your fantastically generous neighbors in exchange for dragging in their waste bins once a week). We look out for each other and stand up for what is fair. In between it all we also volunteer in our community, smile at strangers and pick up litter in our local parks. Some folks better than me do even more for this place. I'm not even one of the scene makers, just someone who participates. Vancouver isn't for everyone because you need to hustle hard to make it work and that takes some conviction, risk taking and self awareness. Enjoyment of the real spirit of this city isn't easy to earn but it is well worth it when you do. I've lived in cities in other countries that were friendlier and some less friendly than Vancouver, but nothing is better for me than this place. I'm going to stick around as long as I possibly can and do everything I can to make this place great. I will fight for this city. I may eventually get priced out but until that happens I will contribute to the vibrance of Vancouver instead of complaining about how much a city has failed me and then storming off to Toronto or Montreal. To those who leave us because of the many challenges: we will genuinely miss you but would prefer if you could not shit talk us on the way out. Thank you and happy travels! We wish you better luck in your new home.

23 Comments

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Bruce

Aug 31, 2015 at 11:28am

The first step is admitting you have a problem.

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EddyEagle

Aug 31, 2015 at 11:29am

One thing I learned growing up in 2 different continents. Haters are gonna hate. This phenomenon is not special to Vancouver. Haters everywhere in the world will find things, cities, people to hate.

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Long time resident

Aug 31, 2015 at 11:53am

I can summarize your confession with one word. Greed

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it's the same the world over

Aug 31, 2015 at 11:55am

I've travelled a lot and lived in many different places and the one truth I know is that every city, every country has pros and cons to living there. I also know that it is easier to blame a city when things don't go right and easy to look back on other cities with rose tinted glasses. Vancouver is my current home. I find some aspects challenging (the expense, the social life) but all in all it is a nice city to live in and I've made some wonderful friends here. As with everything in life it is about making it work for you and if it doesn't leave for someplace else.

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You sir, are an ass

Aug 31, 2015 at 12:00pm

This is the pretentious drivel that makes people want to leave this city.

Maybe it's just that your "scene maker" friends are the problem?

Does everyone have to "hustle hard" to live here? It's just a rat race. It happens everywhere.

And is every Vancouverite standing up to whats fair? or just your small circle of SJW friends?

How about letting people share their experiences and talk about how shitty they felt in this city. Your experience as a born and raised vancouverite does not portray the experiences of those trying to make a new start here.

Don't try to intimidate people into shutting up with passive aggressive rhetoric . That's very harperesque, and I bet that will hurts when you come to realize this as a "Born and raised vancouverite"

I hope you get priced out sooner rather than later you tool.

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@You sir

Aug 31, 2015 at 12:28pm

Not a sir. Not passive aggressive. Nothing like Harper. Just not willing to play the victim when I can make choices to empower myself instead of whining about how unfriendly people are.

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You sir, are an ass

Aug 31, 2015 at 1:29pm

Yup, Just keep telling yourself that you are empowering yourself...

as you put yourself on a pedestal and complain about people expressing themselves....

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@You sir

Aug 31, 2015 at 1:49pm

Interesting that you accuse me of being passive aggressive and then respond like that. I haven't claimed to be better than anyone else. I just am evidence that endless posts and complaints are one choice while making something happen to address your problems is another.
Please feel free to share your challenges. But maybe try skipping the "you people are the reason I am unhappy so I'm leaving" speach.
My life isn't easy or perfect but I work to improve on it and that helps counter my negative experiences.
Now what is your excuse for being so self righteous with me? Is that the route YOU suggest ?

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Lolly Pop

Aug 31, 2015 at 2:29pm

What's the point of this back & forth comment/debate?.......I mean I'm getting dizzy reading it.

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3rd generation here

Aug 31, 2015 at 2:30pm

Everything you wrote op, was right.

That @you sir guy is exactly what is wrong here..
You get what you give and it plays out everywhere.
You have to ask yourself why you came here in the first place and what you thought was going to happen.
No one owes you anything and there's no reason on earth I'd be inviting anyone to the bbq whose conversation began and ended with lecturing, and whining, and that's all I hear from the temporary transplants from across Canada.
Most of you only last about 4 years before you go home. I know, you thought you could skip out on the people who recall your 3rd grade nose picking or 8th grade failed attempt at bullying. Being around the folks you grew up will keep you real, so go home. You need it.

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