Canada

I spent two and a half years calling Vancouver my home, from the moment I stepped off the plane from Iran, I was utterly mesmerized. The greenery and the natural beauty of it completely captivated me. Everywhere I looked, it was so breathtakingly picturesque that I genuinely believed I'd stumbled upon the most stunning city on Earth. Those initial days were bathed in sunshine, and I reveled in every moment. The panoramas of the ocean, the vast jungles, and the majestic mountains were simply intoxicating.

So, the question remains: why did I trade the paradise of Vancouver for the urban life of Toronto?
Well, it's true that Vancouver is tightly intertwined to nature and looks gorgeous when the sun shines. However, what I quickly discovered is that those sunny days in fact were few and far between. The locals even call Vancouver "Raincouver," and for a good reason. Weeks would pass without a single glimpse of blue sky, just continuous rain, rain, and more rain.

And when it pours, that vibrant green landscape transforms into a dark grey color. It's a depressing experience; you truly can't understand the mental impact of constant rain until you've lived it.

Apart from the weather conditions, the cost of living in Vancouver, particularly the rent, is simply astronomical. E.g. finding a studio apartment in downtown Vancouver for less than $2700 is a rare and lucky occurrence.

Another significant factor that compelled us to move was the limited job market in Vancouver. Toronto, on the other hand, from what I was told, offers more job opportunities as the headquarters of many top-notch companies are based in there.

A less critical, but still important reason to move out, was the fact that every online order I made, seemed to be shipped from Toronto and they often took considerably longer to arrive in Vancouver.

In my humble opinion, British Columbia seems ideally suited for individuals with a passion for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and other adventurous hobbies. However, if you, like myself, lean towards a more sedentary lifestyle, you might want to carefully reconsider moving to Vancouver. The beautiful scenery won't be as amazing as when you first lay your eyes on it, even on those rare sunny days, the magic wouldn't be quite the same.

Another aspect of Vancouver life that I found somewhat disappointing was the lack of nightlife. Every place seemed to close down by 7 PM, even on weekends, which seemed surprisingly early.

To recap, the ideal location to live is a deeply personal choice, and it highly depends on individuals’ preferences and priorities. I truly believe that everyone needs to understand their personal traits and preferences before making such a significant decision.

I sincerely hope that this new city Toronto grows on me and I can enjoy the hustle and bustle of this big city.