Life

Why Live in Such an Expensive Region?

I live in a suburb of a larger city. The city is expensive, but that’s not why we ended up moving to the ‘burbs. The reasoning is:

  • Neither my partner nor I particularly appreciate living in a larger city. We both grew up in fairly small towns and find the noise, traffic, and proximity in living quarters in larger cities claustrophobic
  • My partner works on commercial projects all over the region, and my commute would take far too long if I lived closer to the city, since I work farther away.
  • We plan to have children one day, and neither of us can fathom having to raise our children in a condo, or not letting them walk to a friends house for fear of stranger danger and/or vehicle traffic
  • Traffic. Street grunge. Air quality.

But it’s indisputable that while many city’s surrounding cities and suburbs aren’t nearly as expensive as the city itself, they are still more expensive than many of the alternatives. Here’s why we insist on living in such an area, and why, I suspect, so many others flock to expensive regions.

Culture

If you love culture, you’d love living near a larger, big city. For example, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver and the surrounding regions are truly a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. As a result, you can get some of the best and most authentic food in the country in these larger cities (which happen to be more expensive). The diversity is unbeatable and the opportunity to learn other cultures is always there.

This is the case even outside of large cities.

Weather

Many people live in cities such as Vancouver, BC because of the weather. Widely known as the best weather in Canada, Vancouver (and BC in general) can’t be beat if you want to remain Canadian – which most Canadians do.

Despite the rain in Vancouver, which many people who don’t LIVE in Vancouver use to try and prove a point that where they live is much better (lol), the weather is pretty great in the area, particularly in relation to many other parts of Canada.

Vancouver’s climate is very mild, with an average high in our coldest month (January) being 6.8 degrees Celsius (about 44 degrees F), and an average high in our warmest month (August) being 22.3 degrees (about 72 degrees F).

Vancouver itself is actually a little bit cooler in the summer than some of the surrounding cities, but with the humidity those 22.3 degrees feel a little warmer.

Recreation

Sure, it would be nice to pay less for housing and live in a different part of Canada or even BC, but Vancouver is great for recreation.

Vancouver is frequently rated as one of the best places to live in North America (and the world in general), because  of it’s outdoor space, weather, family orientation, and opportunity. Luckily, some of that trickles out to the ‘burbs and neighboring cities.

jason and trip to oregon 057

Opportunity

The opportunity in larger (and more expensive) cities makes it a desirable place to live. I moved to our current city from a much smaller city town, where both my partner and I would have had a hard time finding sustainable work. My partner was laid off several times before we moved because the companies for which he worked ran out of work. I would have graduated from school and would not have been able to find a job. If I was lucky enough to find one, I’d be stuck in it for an inordinate amount of time because there was (and is) little other opportunity.

In Toronto, for instance, while it is not as big as many cities in North America, there is a lot of opportunity. The industry here allows for a lot of jobs, and there are many cities around the Greater Toronto area in which one can find work.

I don’t work in the city, but in but a surrounding city. I know if I ever lose my job, I’ll be able to find another one.

 

I think these things far outweigh the cost of living near an expensive city. Plus, we are far enough outside of it that we can enjoy the city when we want to take the trip, but enjoy a lower cost of living for the most part.

 

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29 Comments

  1. I think being happy with where you’re living is the most important part. There are so many people that complain about the expense of where they’re living, or complain about the lack of recreation and cultural activities – but then do nothing to change their situation.

    Glad you enjoy where you’re living, since with the new house you’ll probably be there for a while =)

  2. I have often thought that if I ever moved to Canada that I think I would best like to live in or around Vancouver. Obviously I would have to visit first, but the city life doesn’t really bother me too much as I have always lived in or around a major city.

  3. These are many of the same reasons were are looking forward to our impending move out to the suburbs. Living in the city is cool and all, but I honestly can’t wait to have a few moments where someone isn’t (literally or figuratively) breathing down my neck. We’ll be about an hour train ride from downtown Chicago, which is close enough to come in whenever we want to.

    Not sure yet if work will prove to be an issue. I’m looking for a job out there so I don’t have to commute into the city, but we’ll see!

  4. I love love love Vancouver (as you well know). While I like living & working in Edmonton, I think Vancouver has such a great metropolitan feel while still being laidback in true Canadian fashion.

    As for your reasons for not wanting to live in downtown Vancouver, I find them interesting because I essentially want the exact opposite. I wouldn’t mind (dare I say love?) to raise children in the heart of a big city rather than in suburbia (which I justifiably despise). I like small spaces like condos and all the bustle and business of a big city — even for the trade offs of traffic and stranger danger.

  5. I love vancouver. So beautiful, but yes it’s expensive! I often wonder if I need to live somewhere other than LA to make my cost of living better, but it’s also where my industry is. It’s a dilemma!

  6. These are the same reasons we landed where we are at now. Sure, we’re not in the city, but we are in a nearby suburb that’s not so cheap. But, we LOVE the location, the schools, the neighborhood, and my commute is pretty good. Plus, our town is starting to grow and improve, which means home values are rising, which is a good thing for us. Sure, it’s a bit pricey now, but will pay off in the long run. Plus, we enjoy each day much more than if we were stuck in the city or out in the boonies..

  7. I don’t live far from you, and I couldn’t agree more about the quality of life in these parts. I wish you wouldn’t write about it though–the population density is already too high! 🙂

  8. I haven’t been to Vancouver for a few years now, but yes, it is definitely quite beautiful.

    A few weeks ago my husband was contacted by a headhunter about a job in Gastown, but we already live in an expensive city and couldn’t see ourselves moving there.

  9. Unfortunately or fortunately I guess you could also say, I grew up in an expensive area near the beach. I’ve moved south a bit but still live within 10 mins from the beach. I think it’d be a lot easier to move to a lower cost of living area if I wasn’t so comfortable with where I live now. Your ability to live in certain places depends in where you grew up and where your family resides.

  10. (Just letting you know that picture is giant! It came out at full-size in my rss reader and makes this post kind of laggy when I scroll through it)

  11. Cities definitely provide a ton of opportunity. When I lived right outside Washington, DC I always knew I could get another job almost immediately. Now that I live in a much smaller town in Florida that isn’t the case… but it is soooo much cheaper and prettier and less congested! You win some you lose some 🙂

  12. I think the area you live in is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Sometimes it is worth it to pay more to live some place so lovely.

  13. I miss BC 🙁 I was born in Victoria…

    I may argue that Halifax is getting very multicultural, we’re creeping very close to TO. Probably has something to do with having so many universities and collages in such a small city but walking down Spring Garden Rd (your Robson St) and I’m slowly becoming the minority.

  14. I agree with all your points, especially the culture. Cuisine all from around the world is so accessible here :0) Another thing I’d add is the wonderful support of all the PF bloggers in this city 😀 I like how you included Fahrenheit for your readers who may not use Celsius ;0)

  15. Great points on Vancouver and the surrounding areas. You surely can’t beat the weather, but being the most expensive city in Canada and one of the most in the world turns me off. Than again Toronto isn’t too far off 🙂

  16. I am one of those people who pays for convenience. I live in downtown Montreal and although I am not a huge fan of the city i love living close to everything. I don’t have to travel far to go to work. I pay a little extra for it but living downtown saves me a lot of time.

  17. Pingback: Friday Faves: What do you love about winter? | My Diary EntryMy Diary Entry
  18. Why live in such an expensive region? Aside from all the reasons you listed above, because Vancouver really is one of the prettiest cities in the world! I may be a bit bias though 😉

  19. We value our time and my husband LOATHES rush hour traffic so for us a smaller, more expensive home was worth it since he gets to walk 15 minutes to work and the gym, grocery store, park, and bank are also within walking distance.

  20. Vancouver is one of my favorite cities. I don’t blame you for wanting to stay there. It’s also what keeps me in LA…but mainly for different bonuses like opportunity, the weather, the beach, etc. It certainly wouldn’t be the cost of living or traffic. 🙂

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