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I have lived in quite a few cities and the most important lesson I have learned is that there are nice people everywhere, and that's what makes the difference.
Also remember that the people you meet already have friends- you are the one who needs friends, so take the initiative and invite people out or over to your place.
I moved to Vancouver in 2002 and LOVE it here. I live in the West End, which is between downtowna nd Stanley Park. The best thing about this area is that it is a whole different lifestyle. We walk everywhere- to the produce store, the butcher, the drug store etc. It is very different than in the suburbs where you drive everywhere.
I actually work in Burnaby, a city to the immediate east of Vancouver, but it is an easy 15 minute commute. I am going against the rush so traffic in my direction is easy-same thing coming home.
Like most cities there are many different residential areas in Vancouver. Many of the people who say they live in Vancouver actually live in one if the suburb cities. Like Toronto, it is a sprawling metropolitan area. Unlike Toronto, we don't have the same subway and gotrain access, so many people who live out in the Fraser Valley(where houses are more affordable), have difficult commute by car every day.
Vancouver deserves it's reputation as a beautiful city. You can be on top of Grouse mountain skiing in the morning and golfing in the city in the afternoon.
We have good shopping, great restaurants, all sorts of cultural and sporting events and are just a quick hop across the border to US shopping or 2 hours drive to Seattle.
Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Good luck to your FH with his interview.
We live in Seattle and LOVE Vancouver. We are about 2 hrs from there and we think its wonderful! I went to school in Upstate NY and spent many fun weekends in Toronto. I pretty much think Vancouver is a smaller intimate less spread out Toronto, LOL And its public transportation is easier, IMO 
@julies1949: Thanks for such a thorough reply! It sounds like where you live is where I'd want to be - walking distance to all the important things. I've never seen a mountain in my life, so I'm excited to see such a different environment to the one I'm used to. I'll def. keep you posted on how the interviews go. I hope he gets it! I love an adventure :)
@jackie-o: Glad to know that you love spending time in Vancouver (and that you had fun weekends in Toronto :) I love it in TO but I have a feeling that B.C. will be quite different. A more laid-back vibe and, dare I say it - a more "quintessentially Canadian" place. I'm intrigued....
Vancouver would have to be one of my most favourite cities in the world. As Canadians we should be proud to have such a beautiful, culturally diverse gem! Vancouver gives you opportunity to combine urban living with west coast nature. Where else is the world can you see a city sky line with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other? It's breath taking Maybe because I'm an island girl at heart I just love this region! I do truly believe anyone could be happy living in Vancouver. In my personal view the people are certainly more friendly and the life style is one that reflects professional growth within an eco-friendly environment.
@MsGolightly: it cracks me up that you think Vancouver would be more "quintessentially Canadian" considering Ontario/Eastern Canada is where it all began. We're like the naughty little brother :)
Vancouver is a fantastic city! Definitely one of the best places to live in the world.
@SapphireSun: Haha... no, what I meant was, I had heard that lots of Canadians living outside Toronto think that Torontonians are ego-centric and think nothing exists outside the city. I was in Thunder Bay for a wedding recently (north Ontario) and it was just a whole different experience from my everyday life. It honestly felt more 'Canadian'. Toronto feels like any other city, you know? It lacks a certain personality (I'm going to get in trouble for saying that, I'm sure).
In my mind, I see Vancouver as this beautiful place with mountains and an ocean to be what people see Canada as - a kind of playground for people who love the outdoors...
There's nothing about the landscape in Toronto that makes me feel that it's unique, however I can just imagine standing on a street in Vancouver and being able to see those mountains... it seems awesome.
I do have a bit of an update: My bf has indeed been given the job in Vancouver, and is flying out there THIS SATURDAY!! It's all happening so quickly! It's a five week trial period, and if they like his work, he'll be out there for another 15 months. I'm going to visit him in two weeks for 10 days or so.
I'm so stressed right now because of all the things up in the air: if he gets the job for the entire 15 months, I'm going to have to rent out our house in Toronto and then fly to B.C. with our new kitten! And possibly sell bf's car too.
But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm excited to go visit in two weeks, and FINALLY see what you all have been describing :)
OHHHH i live in Richmond!!! We can do a meet up and I will give you a tour of Vancouver!! *laugh*...no seriously....I will.
I was born in raised in Vancouver and Richmond, and now live in Alberta. I have never been to Toronto so I can't give any comparisons, but what I can tell you about Vancouver is that it's beautiful. It's very multicultural, and as you know, it's got the mountains and water. It's got absolutely anything you could ever need. My FI who had only been to Van once, came back with me a few years ago when I was visiting my family. He never thought he would enjoy it as much as he did, but he said would move there if it wasn't so rainy (his proffession has him working outdoors about 50% of the time.)
Every time I go back, I wonder why I moved away!!! It's definitely a place you want to be especially if you love the outdoors. And the nice thing is that the weather is mild. Hardly any crazy winter storms or anything like that!
I hope you enjoy it!! I've never known anyone to go to Vancouver and not enjoy their experience there. One thing - Vancouverites LOVE Vancouver. :)
Congratulations to your bf on getting the job. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
I LOVE Vancouver!!! It is an amazing city and not as cold as T dot.
My DH and I spent a couple of days there at the tail-end of our honeymoon in Whistler.
We both absolutely adored it. Such a cool and beautiful city. And coming from L.A. we loved that it was also very walkable. And so clean! Also very close to lots of snowboarding/skiing.
Seems like there's plenty of good eats, cultural opportunities, nightlife, sports, etc. I wouldn't mind living there!
Awww thanks everyone! This has been really helpful!
@Baileyh: Your post made me laugh out loud. I'll let you know when/if I end up going out there for good! They've put him up in Kitsilano for the time being...
@julies1949: Thanks! That's really sweet!
@Ryansgirl: I've heard that anyone who moves to Vancouver 'temporarily' never moves away lol Oh boy.
@Ms. Caniche: But I might miss the snow! Hahaha
I should mention that bf called last night when he arrived and said,
"The mountains are like... pointy! They're not some Collingwood mountains out here... they're like, 'legit'"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
(Collingwood is a ski resort town north-west of Toronto)
@MsGolightly Kitsilano is the BEST part of Vancouver...no kidding. Botique shops, right by the water, little coffee places and close to...well EVERYWHERE.
Seriously...not even kidding...lets meet up if you end up down here!!
(do i sound stalker crazy yet....yeesh!)
@MsGolightly: Have you arrived yet? How are you liking the city? Kits is awesome! It's too bad you missed the summer here, because Kits is the place to be when the sun is shining and everyone is headed for the beach!
One word of warning: A lot of people I know who transplanted to Vancouver from drier climates have a hard time getting used to our rainy "season"... I put season in quotes because it's really fall, winter and spring all rolled into one very wet phase of weather! I would recommend getting yourself some cute rainboots and a handy umbrella that can fold up and fit in your purse. Trust me, you'll be using it a lot! Also, partaking in some winter sports will make the rainy season much more enjoyable - when it's raining in the city, that usually means fresh snow up in the mountains!
Also, forget the Toroto Maple Laughs and get with the Canucks!! Woooo, go Canucks!
EDIT: Whoah, what the heck? I just checked the NHL standings and Toronto is leading the entire Eastern conference. 
Did not expect to see that!
I'm not from Van, obviously, but for what it's worth it's the most beautiful city I've ever seen, and I keep hearing that it consistently gets rated one of the most livable cities in the world! Good luck with everything.
@jayce: I didnt realize you were from Vancouver?!!
Would you two bees be interested in a meet up or something? or maybe I should organize a big one?
Oh, if a meet-up is happening, let me know!!! SapphireSun clued me into this thread. I organized a meet-up before, and we had lots of fun - Bailey, do it do it DO IT :)
hehe, Valhalla and I want to crash your meetup :) Definitely do a big one!
I'm a total newbie to the boards - but ditto to the meet up bit!
I'm from Alberta and moved here 3 years ago. I will NEVER go back.
Hi ladies! I didn't realize that this had been updated!
So I landed in Vancouver a few weeks ago, and we're living in Kitsilano. And the mountains are amazing!
The down side is that I'm feeling kinda low because job hunting is the WORST task in the entire world.
But, there's a ton of snow today! I've heard this isn't the norm, but it reminds me of home so I love it.
If someone is planning a meetup, I'd be up for that! What do these entail usually?
@MsGolightly: Don't feel bad, the job market is really tough. And I hear you, there's nothing like a job hunt to beat one's self esteem into a bloody pulp.
@Baileyh: I'd love to do a meetup! I guess we just pick a time and a place and post it up??? I'm terrible at organizing though, so don't ask me! Just let me know when and where and I'll show up! :)
Hey ladies!! I am in for organzing a meet up!!
With the Christmas season on out heels it might be hard to come up with a time.
Do weekdays or weekends work better for you gals?
Maybe if we come up with a few dates an one location i will start a new post with a poll for the date?!
I live in Richmond but work at UBC and am off work at 4:00 I can pretty much get anywhere that the skytrain goes to!! :) and can do evenings and weekends :)
@Baileyh: I'm free weekends and weekdays, and I'm in Kitsilano but can probably find my way anywhere. Thanks for organizing! I'm very excited :)
@jayce: I forgot to mention that when I got here my boyfriend bought me a pair of Hunters as a 'Welcome to the Wettest Place on Earth' gift :) I love them. Also, I see that Toronto is now 11th in the Eastern conference. Welcome to the life of a Leaf fan. Nothing but disappointment, lol!
I'm suuuuper excited to go to Whistler. I'm not much of a skier/snowboarder, but I do love those really loooong slopes that kind of meander down the mountain.
@Baileyh: I tend to work pretty late on weekdays, so weekends tend to be better for me. I live and work downtown, so anywhere skytrain-able is great for me too! Thanks for organizing!
@MsGolightly: That's so sweet! I love my Hunters too!
At least the Leafs have won a cup... after 40 years the Canucks are still hoping. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, lol!
Hey ladies i started organizing a meet up at this thread http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/vancouver-bee-meet-up?replies=3#post-1471707
Please feel free to join, I think we are playing around with either Dec. 4 or 18th for brunch....place TBD
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Hey Vancouver bees!
I'm still on the waiting list however my FH is currently going through an intense interview process for a job that (if he ends up getting it) would send us to Vancouver for 14 months.
We won't know for a few weeks what the final decision is (he's had two interviews so far and has two more in the next two weeks), however it's really gotten me thinking about things.
I'm from Toronto, and I've never considered moving to any other province before. I've travelled out East, but not West, so I've never even been to Vancouver. I hear mixed things about the city - that it's absolutely beautiful but kind of small and boring. I take this all with a grain of salt seeing as how I can't really judge for myself until I get there, but could you Vancouver bees tell me a little about life on the West Coast, and what FH and I could look forward to while living there, and what to beware of? I'm curious. I feel like it's so different from living in Toronto.
Thanks in advance for your input!!
Ms. G