For sure, Amos -

I lived on a small island for 10 years and still go there in the summer but Vancouver is good for education and work. If you can find work on the islands, go for it. If not, Vancouver is still very livable (if you can afford it). Most people are 'house poor' but happy.

Hey Metchosin - I like Vancouver much better now than 20 years ago. 20 years ago it was a little grease-ball town that wanted to be a big city. Yuk! I'd rather be living in a very rural location or in a big city. Small towns and suburbs are not for me. From the perspective of an islander, we used to call Vancouver, Damngoober and Victoria, Bigstoria. That was, of course, an outsiders perspective. Now that I'm here, I have found a small community within this big, beautiful city and it has been very good to me. Its all grown up but the neighborhoods are still intact.

As teen-agers, my children have thrived here. So much to do, so many opportunities, so much culture and such a wonderful education. I had to leave my little island paradise so that my children would know and understand many people from many cultures. Now that they are all grown up, I'm just waiting for retirement (3 more years) and I'm going back to my quiet little island. Of course I won't have to worry about finding a job there.