Vancouver is voted one of the best cities in the world to live in, year after year. In celebration of Vancouver’s 125th birthday, the Vancouver Sun’s Steve Whysall had an article in the Sun called What Makes Vancouver Special? Whysall revealed his pick of the ten brightest lights in Vancouver. As with all such lists, most people will agree with some and entirely disagree with others – and most will find some glaring omissions, depending on their own view of the meaning of life, the universe and everything.
Read about Great Bike Rides in and Around Vancouver Here – Vancouver Cycling
I agree with Whysall’s choice of coffee – although I would not have ranked it as high as No. 1. (In particular, Sam and Lina’s Cafe Bella Napoli at Commercial and First is like a welcoming home-from-home – but with better coffee, and paninis to die for.) And I agree with Whysall that the Sun Run is extremely cool too – last year I did the Kid’s version with my daughter, and this year I plan to do the whole 10 K with my mother and my wife – at our own speed, which will not threaten the conquering Kenyans in the slightest.
For me it’s all about the fun of being out in the sun with a bunch of happy Vancouverites – and with the roads blocked to cars, so that one can stroll along enjoying the sights without any fear of sudden death.
As for some of Whysall’s other choices, I have to say we have vastly different lists. I tried sushi once and it wasn’t for me – actually, I threw up. Ditto for Wreck Beach. And I’ve never even been in a gym where anyone at all was wearing Lulemon (Commercial Drive’s rough but honest Spartacus being my gym of choice). Granville Island was sometimes fun when my kids were little, but now it reminds me of nothing so much as a giant parking lot.
I suspect one could actually commit suicide by standing outside the Kid’s Market and inhaling deeply for long enough, as the endless procession of motorists looking for parking crawls by.
So what would make my list? Well, the first thing that impressed me when I arrived in Vancouver 13 years ago were the futuristic Skytrains – I felt like I’d arrived in a city straight out of one of my favourite sci-fi movies (Vancouver’s skytrains and Granville station can be clearly seen in Paycheck). And I was blown away by having access to reliable, relatively safe and speedy transit. Today I am still impressed by Skytrain, as it enables my teenagers to get themselves all over the place. Pity about the restriction on bikes at rush hour, though.
The second thing that blew me away was the wonderful diversity of the Commercial Drive area. My somewhat “diverse” family was welcomed by all, and no one ever made us feel “diverse”.
Other than that, the magnificent Stanley Park Seawall bike route is right up there. I’ve spent countless happy hours enjoying the fresh air and spectacular views while pedaling along it. And then there’s that magnificent open air Second Beach Pool, which I loved with a passion when my kids were little. (And it has bike parking!)\
All kinds of cyclists showed up for the inaugural ride of the Central Valley Greenway,
on a sunny day in 2009
More recently, I would have to give a huge shout out to the Central Valley Greenway – an ambitious bike route which makes it reasonably safe (and fun!) to bike from New West to Burnaby to Vancouver. And last but not least, the wonderful new separated bike lanes on Hornby and Dunsmuir.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Granola hippies and everything they have created – the seawall, bike lanes, an abundance of vegetarian restaurants, and car-free festivals.
I agree – let’s hear it for those granola hippies!
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.
Hey Clark! I forgot about the food – one of the best things, for sure!
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.