living in metro vancouver vs greater toronto area

[honeybee.]

Hi everyone. I'm currently living in the GTA area.
This winter has been my 2nd in Canada and I feel I can't tolerate it anymore, so I was wondering if living in Greater Vancouver would be better. I'm planning a visit, but you guys that are living there would know better so please share your opinions.
Also which area is better for a family with good schools?
Any information would be appreciated.

[mcminsen]

The weather here is very different, but I don't know if it's "better". Depends on the person. When it gets cold here, it's a different kind of cold. Damp cold, but you can dress for it and it's not so bad. It can be very gloomy and overcast here, especially in the winter. But when the sun comes out it is absolutely glorious and you forget about the cloudy days. Snow is unusual, especially downtown, but we usually get some a few times in the winter. It disappears fast, though.

The average house price in the city of Vancouver is over $1,000,000. Well above Toronto. Depending on what you could afford, it may have to be smaller and further out from the city centre.

Maybe others can advise re: areas good for families with good schools. Meanwhile, I'll post some pics. I'm always looking for an excuse to post some pics! I live downtown so this is from my perspective in Metro Vancouver.


Coal Harbour Seawall, Vancouver, Jan.1 '11 my pic


Vancouver skyline from Q.E. Park, spring 2010 my pic


Granville St, Vancouver, Dec.9 '10 my pic

This sloppy wet snow was gone after a couple of days.

Homer St., Vancouver, Nov.25 '10 my pic

You might notice, this is my siggy pic.

English Bay, Vancouver, Dec.8 '09 my pic


English Bay, Vancouver, Dec.1 '09 my pic


Typical winter day in Vancouver, Broadway and Cambie St. my pic


West End, Vancouver, Feb.13 '10 my pic


Walking to Superstore, Vancouver, Jan.12 '10 my pic


Third Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver, July 26 '10 my pic


View from my apartment on Homer St., Vancouver, Dec.27 '10 my pic


Seabus to Vancouver, May 24 '10 my pic

[tinaros]

These are absolutely beautiful pics mcminsen!
I love Vancouver, the big city buzz, Stanley Park, the ocean, he mountains surrounding, but I don't know if I can get used to the view from that window...I live in Lower Mainland, 40 km from Vancouver, and I can get my big city feel once a month and then go back to the peace and calm of a country live
All major stores, malls, must have car though.. the public transport is not as good here (no skytrain in Langley but the housing prices is decent, for 500 000 you can get a brand new townhouse, or even an older house in some areas.. I don't know about schools.. to me they all suck , but I'm just this demanding overpushing mom to her children , but there are french immersion programs, art schools and Montessouri (i don't know how to spell that) elementary programs.. so there's lots to choose from..

[honeybee.]

Thanks mcminsen for your reply and great pictures!

[honeybee.]

Thanks tinaros for replying.