I agree. When burgers/culinary sandwiches maxed out at $10, that always seemed reasonable. those same meals, the meals that I like, are now $13-15....

Nothing has changed about the meal, except the price.

Eating out is a very particular thing that typically costs me north of $200 for 2 people. Sometimes far north. This is mostly for food, and not much booze (I personally do not drink). I'm VERY picky.
The exception is my one friend who insists on going Dutch. I have to accommodate her, and she's not wealthy. Public sector in Van pays sh*t for people who do the effective, important work. We usually eat at fringy Greek joints on weekend afternoons.
Going out for coffee or appies with others is not great but not awful. My expectations are suitably low.
Cooking at home is amazing (housemate is a fantastic baker and cook), and I seem to have a talent for carne - chicken, pork or beef (though that last is not for me).
Take-out is still worth it - sushi, pho, noodle, Indian, Chinese...that's about once a week. Find places you love. Big difference.
I'm a dude older than you, and my housemate is around your age.

I suffer through eating out with people. And I'm a woman in my late 20s. I'd just really rather cook. It's cheaper, quieter, and more comfortable.

Some Places in town are definitely what you describe: extremely loud, crowded, and generally a little too intense. But restaurants have to turn a profit and a slow, quiet ambiance will generally not do that. They’ve got to bring people in, encourage them to drink and spend money. Otherwise the restaurant dies. I prefer to seek out the places where the food is great, and not necessarily the trendy, convenient places to go. I might have to travel further to get there. But yes there are a lot of places in town where you can have an unsatisfying, average yet pricey meal. Being at home, cooking and drinking is better than wasting time and money in mediocre places. I also dislike sitting elbow to elbow with other diners. Huge turnoff and I just want to get out of there as fast as possible. Again, business decision which makes financial sense.

Yes eating and drinking out in Vancouver costs a lot more because wholesale food prices in Vancouver are more expensive than anywhere else. Add the most expensive rents in North America and you have a recipe for what’s happened to Vancouvers dine out scene. 15 yrs ago rents were comparable to other cities so Vancouver had better food back then. Now almost every place in Vancouver pushes alcohol on you to make money.

The loud music drives me crazy!!

Yes

Unless its a buffet where I can stuff myself to belt stretching levels. The last time I had a McDonalds meal was 10 years ago,now they're over $8 and the patty is thinner and smaller. For $8 I can make 10 awesome burgers on my BBQ that are 4 times the size,and 10 times better.
Went to Craft last weekend for a cider with a friend,saw someone order nachos and it seemed like a good idea until we saw the price with a bit of guacamole- $27. With $27 I can make a Mexican food spread that'd feed 10-15 people for dinner,instead of just a snack for 2 people.

Get a pressure cooker,slow cooker and subscribe to cooking channels on Youtube.

We came out from Maple Ridge to go for a coffee and some cannolis downtown. My partner is hilarious english accent makes it better. So we have the signal on to pull innfor parking. HONK HONk.. jesus bloody hell he says... I say ita ok were almost there.. Another HONKKKKKkKK.. And he says THATS IT WERE FUKN OUTTA HERE ! Thanks vancouver haha

$17 for a burger now?!?!? wtf