I'd recommend moving and starting over. Vancouver is too small a place to live if you don't want old ghosts hanging around, and if you don't currently have relationships out here, it is very much going to be an uphill battle for you because of the culture here. Consider the east coast, or even Europe. I guarantee people are friendlier out there, and there is a more natural sense of community and trust. :)

I'm getting out of here, too. I'm so sad to see how this city has turned out. It's so hard to see how it's changed. I'm hoping the next place will have more to do, job opportunities, culture, etc. Sad it's come to this, but there's nothing left tying me to this city now that my friends have left, and there are lots of other places in the world with more to offer me. I wish Old Vancouver still existed.

To hear that your parent isn't doing well, and good for you for taking steps to separate yourself from a toxic family unit. It takes a lot of courage, honesty, and introspection to be able to do that.

I'd honestly recommend moving if you have no friends out here. If you want to stay, and think you can swing it in terms of the closeness to 'family' out here, try sticking it out at a hobby or activity you like. With enough time, you can sometimes meet people and become friends, but I caution you, it is still very hard. If you're young (20-40ish) and are capable of relocating, I would honestly recommend it. There are more affordable cities to live in than here.

-K

P.S: An earlier comment here was mine- I was tired and think it got mixed in with my answer for another, so I apologize for that! Best of luck with everything.

Positive self-interest. This is a real opportunity to learn about who you are and to develop your identity, unbound by the influence of others.