If you’re unfamiliar, the messages the title refers to were proposed as a way to warn future generations about the dangers of areas of land that were once nuclear waste deposit sites, because, you know, radiation sticks around, and it’ll mess you up big-time if you’re not careful. They sound cool and dark and eerie–very dystopian. Before you start totally freaking out on me, no, Vancouver does NOT sit on top of a nuclear waste deposit site (to my knowledge). I’m just being silly…because the topic of discussion here is whether Vancouver is a city that the average young adult can feasibly live in. My quick, off-the-dome answer? NOPE. Too expensive!!! Nowhere to live!!! Wah wah wah!!! But really, as someone who is not from Vancouver (and not even from British Columbia for that matter) Vancouver is this unattainable, inaccessible, mystical land, akin to Atlantis or El Dorado. 

I’ve lived here for just over two years now, and I have felt like a perpetual tourist this entire time. Sure, I (somewhat) know my way around and can navigate via bus and train, but none of that has done anything to change the fact that I still feel like an outsider. Whether I’m on transit or walking down the street or getting groceries, I can’t shake this sensation that I stick out like a sore thumb. I’ve talked to other people who live here but aren’t from here, and this sentiment is relatively common. What is it about Vancouver that makes it feel so alienating? I’ve also heard other transplants mention that the general Vancouver population has quite the unfriendly vibe, which I kind of agree with, but I feel like that probably goes for any urban landscape. 

On the other end, the friends that I have that were born and raised in Vancouver seem to have this weird elitist attitude about the city, like they have some kind of inexplicable advantage over the rest of us. I haven’t really been able to figure out why this is beyond the fact that most people from West Vancouver experience a level of privilege and/or wealth that others do not, because let’s be honest, living out there is not cheap, as most of us know. 

I know that I’m being quite negative here, but don’t fret, I’m not writing this article for the sole purpose of bashing Vancouver. Like I mentioned before, I would want to live here, if the fates allowed it. I just think it’s important to acknowledge feeling like “the Other” in the place that is meant to be your home. 

Let’s take a look at what living in Vancouver is like via a good-old-fashioned pros and cons list. 

VANCOUVER CONS:

• • It. Is. Expensive. Everyone is really quick to bring this up when Vancouver discussions arise, but it’s true. The average cost of living for a single person who rents is OVER $4000 per month, which is quite the bleak figure. Owning property is a whole other ordeal, with the average cost of a home in Metro Vancouver sitting at a nice $1.2 million. So…basically in the realm of impossibility. Between food, housing, bills, and all other expenses, just surviving here is one of the most expensive things you can do. Yikes!
  • The homelessness and drug crises. This one speaks for itself; it is a very well-known fact that Vancouver has a highly visible homelessness crisis, with several contributing factors. Lack of support for mental health issues and drug abuse combined with unattainably high costs of living and a limited amount of affordable housing has led to the situation we have in the city today. The drug crisis is made worse by widespread opioid abuse and inconsistent access to harm reduction services. Fentanyl is also a major issue. These problems are unfortunately pretty prevalent in the city, so that’s something to consider.
  • Isolation. Being as far west as possible in Canada, Vancouver can sometimes feel like it’s in its own little world, separate from the rest of the countries. This isn’t really a huge issue, but it’s still a factor.

Alright, let’s get positive.

VANCOUVER PROS:

• Pretty! For what it’s worth, Vancouver is a picturesque city. There’s a reason that so many movies are filmed here (and cheaper production costs but SHHHH, that’s irrelevant right now). The mountainous skyline, bustling downtown, manicured neighbourhoods, pretty beaches, stunning natural beauty…all of these things contribute to Vancouver’s overall beautiful landscape.
• Access to nature. If you’re into hiking, biking, running, skiing, snowboarding, and basically any other outdoor activity, Vancouver is not a bad place to be. You’ve got mountains, ocean, forests, and urban sprawl to use as your outdoor recreational playground. There aren’t many other places in the world that can boast the same natural surroundings that Vancouver can. I also feel like every person between the ages of 22-32 is into hiking around here, just an observation.
• Best public transit system EVER! As someone who does not own a car, I am personally a very big fan of public transit here in the city. Outside of my own enjoyment, the transit system is well-planned and laid out, and while it is not without its problems, for the most part it’s highly efficient and reliable. The SkyTrain, buses, and sea buses make it easy to get around the city in reasonable amounts of time WITHOUT having to drive. 

Both of these lists could be much longer, but that’s basically the long and the short of it. I feel like Vancouver’s positives somewhat outweigh the negatives, but it’s hard to say. To answer my original question though, I do think that Vancouver can be a good city to live in, if you have the means to make it happen. This city is complex, and it is ultimately up to you, my sweet reader, to figure out where you stand on the whole matter.