simuls
Senior Member
Well, you didn't ask me, but since I agree that Vancouver is the most over-hyped city on the planet, I guess I'll respond.
First off, let me point out that while I now live in Toronto, I am a western Canadian and proud of it! I have also traveled this country upside down and sideways several times, staying in small towns and big cities across the land - even treeplanted for a summer in the Shuswap Lakes area. I have also lived in various places across the US (New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Santa Fe), as well as driving to every state (although I somehow missed Montana) and doing the same small town thing.
The thing is, when it comes to anything that makes living worthwhile, Vancouver simply doesn't cut it. To visit, AWESOME, but as soon as that week has gone by and you start to settle in, the illusion vanishes.
It's cultural life isn't just Toronto on a small scale, it's smaller than Winnipeg's and yet it's a city 3 times the size. Winnipeg also has a symphony, Royal Ballet, a much larger music/theatre scene, bigger Jazz, New Music and Fringe Fest's, the list could go on. Toronto's culture in all categories is exponentially more sophisticated, well established, well supported, well attended and larger.
But it's not just the culture. The bar scene is small, ditto with clubs, restaurants, etc. There are some cool places, for sure, but with the exception of Yaletown and Commercial Drive, there's almost no downtown to even speak of at night. Plus, trying to get a latte at starbucks in under 15 minutes is difficult.
It's true that when it comes to the outdoors, Vancouver is geographically stunning, but with the exception of mountain climbing and skiing, anything you can do in Vancouver you can do in Toronto - we're also a waterfront city. Any type of fishing, boating, watersports, you name it. You can also skate and play hockey outside in Toronto's winter - something you can't do in Vancouver.
Vancouver is near nowhere and very isolated with the exception of Seattle. Toronto is an hour flight from 100 million people, lots more culture in NYC, Boston, Philly (even the DIA is awesome), and tons of skiing and mountain climbing (although not as good as Van's). Travel down south during the winter is also extremely affordable in Toronto as it's a gateway for Caribbean vacations.
When it comes to affordability, Vancouver is brutal. Groceries are almost double and buying a home is 150% more expensive. Ditto for electronics, furniture, automobiles and gasoline.
But the thing I was most surprised, horrified, and disappointed about in Vancouver - and I say this with the complete understanding that it's a generalization (but one that has been confirmed by many other travelers to Vancouver that I've spoken to over the past 5 years) - is the people. It is by far, the most shallow, superficial and inhospitable place I've lived in, with the exception of Los Angeles - and that's what it reminded me of. The whole granola culture is a facade, people are, on average, unfriendly, and god forbid they hear you've even been to Toronto because if they do, regardless of whether they've ever set foot here themselves, you will never hear the end of what a horrible place it is. It has the mindset of a small town and narrow mindedness prevails on every corner. Plus, it has the meanest homeless population I've ever encountered - my god, by comparison, the homeless people in Toronto are well mannered aesthetes.
Finally, no matter what you think, Vancouver is not an ethnically diverse city. In 6 months of living there, I saw 7 people who were of colour and NOT white or asian. 7. Stunning. There are none of the fabulous ethnic festivals that dot many other Canadian Cities and certainly none on par with the ridiculously multicultural city that Toronto is.
Now, I don't think that Toronto is the be all and end all, or that Vancouver is completely full of jerks, but any survey that puts Vancouver higher needs to be dismissed outright.
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