Comments on: What do YOU think makes Vancouver special?

By: Alex P

Alex P — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:18:42 +0000

I like that Granville island area, but the parking situation is a bit hilarious… all that free parking (although not free anymore!), for sure it will wind up with people queueing for it! Once I’m inside and in the public market, I have a good time. And in the evenings it’s quieter and nice for visiting the restaurants and theatre. I also really like the area just east of Granville Island, it’s like a model community I’d like to live in.

By: Average Joe Cyclist

Average Joe Cyclist — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:19:04 +0000

In reply to Clark. Hey Clark! I forgot about the food - one of the best things, for sure!

By: Average Joe Cyclist

Average Joe Cyclist — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:17:44 +0000

In reply to Chris. I agree - let's hear it for those granola hippies!

By: Clark

Clark — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:28:41 +0000

What makes it special for me are:

• The grooviness of Commercial Drive.
• The lack of freeways.
• The great mix of food available and how you can find some of it for cheap.
• The great transit. The Skytrain especially with the nice view out the window.
• The good network of bike paths and lanes.
• How it’s not stuck in the 20th century like some cities are.
• The mix of languages.
• The variety of ethnicities which makes people-watching really good.
• Wreck Beach.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 05:06:23 +0000

Granola hippies and everything they have created – the seawall, bike lanes, an abundance of vegetarian restaurants, and car-free festivals.

By: Average Joe Cyclist

Average Joe Cyclist — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:19:44 +0000

In reply to Ryan.

Hey Ryan, you pretty much nailed it for someone who’s never even been here! We actually chose to immigrate to this city (rather than any of the cities in the East) because of the weather. I knew it would set my career back a lot – and it did – but I think it’s worth it to have so little snow. Being surrounded by beauty is great too. I come from the only city I have ever been to that I think is MORE beautiful than Vancouver – Cape Town. But Vancouver is reminiscent of Cape Town, thanks to the ocean and mountains setting.

By: Average Joe Cyclist

Average Joe Cyclist — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:16:46 +0000

In reply to paddyanne. I arrived long after the freeway debate - what a DISASTER that would have been! It would have scarred the face of our beautiful city forever.

By: paddyanne

paddyanne — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:01:50 +0000

I thought about before answering.
1) the decision NOT to allow a freeway to be built through the city
2) the ocean and mountains are close by
3) lots of green, trees and plants throughout the downtown and city core
4) it has wide sidewalks
5) lots of transportation options.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:25:04 +0000

Having never been to Vancouver, I can only give my impressions as to what I think would make it special, and some would be obvious.

Even though I don’t think it’s nearly as good as some other international cities, I would agree the Skytrain.
If you look at what Rob Ford is planning for Toronto, he wants public transit to either have more buses or underground rail.
My city struggles to get a regional bus set-up.

As odd as this one may seem…weather. Even though it seems the past couple of years Vancouver has had more snow than usual, it doesn’t appear to last long and having temperatures dip below -5 seems rare. (this past winter drove me crazy)

This one may seem fairly general and typical for someone who doesn’t live there, but the scenery.
Having mountains and the ocean at your doorstep is quite nice.