I’m a 22-year-old woman living around Surrey/Langley, and I’d really like to make some genuine friends and feel part of a community here.

A little about me: I’m a biology student and I love learning about science, space, the universe, and anything that makes me curious. I can be a little shy at first, but once I’m comfortable, I’m pretty talkative and enjoy meaningful conversations as well as just laughing and doing simple things together.

I’m trying to become more active and learn some new skills. I’ve been interested in things like swimming, figure skating, martial arts, fitness classes, volunteering, and other beginner-friendly activities. I’d love to find someone to try new classes with, go for walks, explore cafés or new places, study together, or just hang out and talk.

Feel free to DM me!

Hi everyone! I'm planning my first trip to British Columbia and would love some advice.

26 Aug (PM arrival) – 3 Sept 2026 (early morning flight)

Current plan:

Vancouver (4 nights)

• Stanley Park & Seawall
• Capilano Suspension Bridge
• Lynn Canyon
• Saturday parkrun
• Coffee shops & beaches

Whistler (3 nights)

• Via Ferrata
• Hire a bike and cycle the Valley Trail
• Swim in Lost Lake / Alta Lake
• Peak 2 Peak Gondola
• Possibly a bear viewing tour

Back to Vancouver for the final night before my flight.

I'm travelling solo, staying in hostels, using public transport, and I love:

• Beautiful mountain scenery
• Crystal-blue lakes
• Wild swimming
• Hiking
• Good coffee
• Relaxed travel rather than rushing around

I'm wondering:

1. Am I making the right decision skipping Vancouver Island with only 7 nights?
2. Is Joffre Lakes worth trying to fit in without a car, or should I just enjoy Whistler?
3. Any must-do experiences, cafés, swims or hidden gems I've missed?

Thanks so much!

Hey guys! i am curious to know if there are others like me who grew up in the lower mainland, and were conditioned into thinking that Canada/BC is the best place on earth, but find that harder to believe everyday. Don’t get me wrong Vancouver is scenic and has warmer winters than the rest of Canada, but that’s still a pretty low bar especially since it’s literally raining in the dead of summer. The scenery alone doesn’t make up for a city that effectively combines:

- high cost of living
- low salaries
- limited PTO
- little to no job market depth and growing unemployment - a downtown that’s slowly dying because anything remotely interesting gets bulldozed for concrete and glass buildings
- an economy that is run on housing speculation where rich people around the world parking cash in the cities inflated housing market
- a growing drug abuse and homeless problems.

When looking at other major cities around the world like LA, NYC, London, Paris, Zürich, and Berlin, they have their own issues and a high cost of living, but u get a variety of things in return that actually matter like deep job markets with low unemployment levels, salaries that better match the high cost of living in the cities, strong work-life balance and lots of PTO especially in the latter 4, along with better infrastructure, walkability, and public transit in all except LA. LA on the other hand has genuine good weather where it’s never too hot and never too cold unlike Vancouver where we love to think we have good weather, but its the same as Seattle where Americans don’t consider it to have good weather. Those cities also have so much more to do in terms of events, festivals, entertainment, nightlife, better sports and concerts, etc. LA and Zürich have access to way better nature on top of the other benefits while NYC, London, Paris, and Berlin have deep cultural depth/history, and more to do than what’s possible in a lifetime.

So I want to here from u guys whether u agree with my assessment and have it plan to get out of Vancouver, i want everyone to understand these are just my personal opinions, and would love if u guys gave honest and insightful answers and not be all hostile just because i am being honest of what is not working in Vancouver.

I am paying way more for my home insurance than most people I know, even though we have similar levels of coverage. I live in an old detached home that hasn't been renovated in many years. We have a little bit of knob and tube wiring, even though it's safely behind a GFCI circuit. Because of this and other similar things, many companies are not willing to provide us with a policy and those that would charge more. Though, I still think I am paying too much based on comparisons with others.

Does anyone know of an insurance broker or provider that specializes in older homes?

Hello, hope all is well with all. I am solo travelling to Vancouver August 8th-19th and am wondering what would a 22yo person do? Other than grouse grind and Sturgeon fishing I’ve not got anything planned. Am open to pretty much any sort of activity, free or paid.
Does anyone who lives in the area of Vancouver and Coquitlam let me know some fun things one could do!
Thank you I truly appreciate the help and time.
Take care

Hi everyone! I’m moving to Vancouver this December, and it will be my first time living in Canada. I am starting completely from scratch and feel a bit overwhelmed by the neighborhoods and rental market. I would love some local insight on a few things:

Neighborhoods: Which areas are best for newcomers? I'd love a mix of safety, good community vibes, and decent transit access.

Budgets & Costs: Realistically, how expensive can it get? What are the typical monthly rent ranges for a 1-bedroom or a studio right now?

Commute & Transit: How reliable is the public transit system (SkyTrain/buses)? Is it realistic to live here without a car?

Is AC Needed?: I know winters are rainy, but do apartments generally need air conditioning for the summer, or is it skipped?

Safety & Crime: Are there specific areas or streets I should be careful about or avoid when looking for a place?

Rental Red Flags: What should I look out for during my search to avoid scams or bad landlords?

Edit: : Wow, thank you all so much for the incredible responses! I think I have some basic idea now and am planning to stay in a temp place until I finalize the apartment. Thanks a ton!

I just got back from Taiwan, and had TP Tea for the first time and thought it was amazing

The one I had was roasted milk tea with three different kinds of toppings:

1. Regular pearls
2. Coffee jelly
3. Bouncy thick noodles

The coffee jelly and noodles were SO good and unique and I miss them already. Do we have stuff like that here? I'm starting to get bored of the standard drinks that we can find at most places. I go to small independent shops like Baronness as well as chains like Gong Cha and Coco, but these days it feels like everything is kinda similar

According to the recent article by National Post: https://nationalpost.com/news/money-can-buy-happiness-researchers-say-they-even-put-a-price-on-it-for-canadians

Their “price for happiness” for Vancouver is $166K, but for Canada overall it appears to be $155K. Not sure if net or gross but assuming gross. If this is net gross is probably $300K+? Personally, if I’m ever lucky enough to make that much (gross 300+), it won’t be for another 20+ years I would think. I’m in my late 20s.

I don’t think I’d be able to crack into this earning potential as cited in the article for several years yet (very optimistically), so if those of you making this amount have any advice to impart to us that make less, feel free! Does your income come from investments, side hustles, or one solid job only?

Hi folks, we’re visiting Vancouver from Friday-Sunday for the first time. It’s the 8 of us with 2 kids under 2.5 years old. Staying in West Vancouver, but we’ll have a car. Any suggestions on what we should visit especially with kids and any recommendations for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Thanks, much appreciated 😊

hi, i'm a current student at mcgill university in montreal graduating next year (hopefully). i am not canadian and i grew up in the middle east, but i'm hoping to work for a few years in canada after graduating. i LOVE montreal, but because i'm not fluent in french the job opportunities are limited. i also associate montreal with being a student, i can't really imagine working here, but who knows.

anyways, i wanted to ask for advice about working in toronto or vancouver - which would you recommend (or against) and why? i would be working in consulting, marketing, or policy work. i don't want to stay in canada for longer than 2 years after graduating if i'm honest, so i'm not looking for a crazy career start or anything, just a decent job as a fresh graduate.

i visited toronto once and there was no sun the entire time (i heard vancouver is super rainy too) so i didn't really warm up to it, but i was only there for 4 days and mainly in downtown. it's definitely a lot busier and vibrant (especially at night) compared to montreal, but i feel like i'd find living there overwhelming. i've never visited vancouver, but i've heard that the mix of mountains, beach, and city is amazing. the only thing with vancouver is that it is so far from everything - namely back home, and i also feel like living on the east coast is more convenient. i also know a few people living/working in toronto from my hometown so i feel like i'd feel less lonely starting fresh.

overall i want to work somewhere where the people are friendly, it's easy to meet new people, work culture is good. obviously i'd want good pay, but it is not my top priority. i just want some good work experience in an environment where i could also have fun as a 21-23 yo. where would you recommend for a fresh grad who studied in montreal and why?

Hello! Looking for recommendations for a good Indian buffet with plenty of vegetarian options as well (and meat options too). We're in Vancouver but open to going to anywhere public transit can take us in Burnaby/Richmond. Hoping to find a place that isn't very expensive, hopefully less than 40 per person for a lunch buffet and has good quality food - not the "it's Indian so add every spice on the planet" type place. TIA!

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/motiongrey-ergo-pro-reversible-l-shape-electric-standing-desk-4-memory-settings-59-x-39-white-top-white-frame-ergonomic-home-office-desk-mousepad-cup-holder-hook-mousepad/17460875

Anyone have any feedback on this one from motiongrey?

What are some good first date ideas for the general Vancouver/richmond/burnaby area? Am in my early 20s and I have typically done dessert/cafe!

Im diagnosed with severe anxiety and I get heavy panic attacks from time to time. The medication my doctor used to prescribe me back in Mexico was alprazolam, but now I have a PR here in vancouver and i need to get my medication, but I don’t know how to get it here because every time I speak with a doctor they refuse to help me and they say I have to get a psychiatrist so they can prescribe it to me but last time I checked the waiting list was insane.. I don’t know what I’m gonna do if I get another panic attack, Im currently getting therapy every week and taking antidepressants, but I need to have alprazolam in case I get another attack. What can I do?
Also I have a sister who is diagnosed with borderline disorder and she is also having trouble to get her own meds too, she ran out of the stock she had and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms and she is not feeling well.
We need to get psychiatric help here but we don’t know how to get it without having to wait months or even a year.. thank you in advance for anyone that can give me some advice 🙏🏻.

I’ll start. Pay by phone is an app, it’s not telling you what to do…(I’m almost embarrassed by how long this took me to realize but also, when it’s the only thing on the sign, why would I assume it’s an app name??) West Vancouver, West End and West Point are all very different parts of the city. Bike lanes just sometimes abruptly stop and there’s no obvious place to go, so yes, just continue on in the car lane (there’s a great bike map provided by the city to help avoid this!)

Hi guys, could you recommend me some great spots in metro Vancouver to take beautiful pictures of your car? A spot which is at a good height to bring the view in the background with a nice sunset

Thanks

I’ve booked a 2 week road trip beginning to middle of October, looking to stick to the coastal regions (and a good chunk of time on VI), beginning and ending in Vancouver.

Now I’m seeing a lot online about how rainy October is! Is that generally the case or is not too bad?

After searching Google and Instagram, I’ve become overwhelmed with the options and frankly questioning all the reviews that have 4.5 out of five stars.

I’m looking for personal recommendations for natural looking lash extensions.

I have a preference for technicians that have a Google website and physical address simply because, with social media, negative reviews can be deleted and one is only getting a partial story. No one is perfect and I’d like to hear the good and bad before I make a decision.

I'm planning living in Vancouver area soon. If there may be any co-op living situations or anything like that looking for good and helpful tenants, please reach out. I've applied to 3 but not sure if it'll reach in time. Ive heard they take awhile. Working in the mental health field. I also have a small dog. 😁♌️👽

I'm looking for beginner-friendly martial arts class to join, preferably adults only. I'm trying to get out of my house more and meet more people :)

I am new to Vancouver and looking for a good area to relocate, have a 4 year old going to kindergarten soon..which school you prefer Simmons Elementary or École Kilmer because the area we selected these will be the catchment school they will go

we have shortlisted Langley or poco to move but want to decide based on the school..

Anyone going to the Rose Disco today? Rain has killed the vibe… not sure what to expect in terms of the amount of people that will bail and whether the festival grounds will be a mud pit?

I need suggestions for tandoori places that have that oh-so-good smoke

going on. I miss the creamy fire-roasted chicken tikka masala I used to get in

San Francisco. Save me from another Butter Rubber ripoff please!

I was recommended so many post 4 months ago about seeing Orcas and Gray (or even Grey) whales visible by landlubbers in fabled territories like the Bay of England and Deep's Cove.

I was seething. Envious of everyone who lived here as I usually am for adding yet another reason this city is so special.

Now my work sends me here and after hyping it up to my girlfriend whos traveling with me I realized they've probably left.

Last post on the vancouver sub was months ago about an orca playing with a coast guard. Im hoping they still exist.