"Growing up in the midsize city of Vancouver, Canada, I always dreamed of living in a big metropolis - a cultural hub where something was always going on, with endless places to explore. For a while, I did. When I started dating a Brit, I moved to his hometown of Birmingham, England, the second-largest city in the UK population-wise, with over a million residents."
"After five years there, I began missing the ocean, the mountains, and the laid-back vibe of my home province. So, we headed back. Eventually, we settled in the small city of Victoria, the provincial capital of the nearby Vancouver Island, where my family had moved while I was in the UK. It made sense for us to restart our lives in Canada, where we had family support."
"I always enjoyed visiting Victoria while growing up, since it was just a 1-½ hour ferry ride from the mainland. However, I worried I'd find living there boring, as I'd always lived in and craved bigger cities. Luckily, after experiencing the hustle and bustle of Birmingham for many years, I found myself appreciating Victoria's calm pace even more. With a population of less than 100,000, the city rarely feels crowded. It's also surrounded by peaceful shorelines and beaches, so everything feels more chill."
After living in midsize and large cities, a move to Victoria on Vancouver Island combined family support with a desire to return to ocean, mountains, and a laid-back vibe. The city has fewer than 100,000 residents, peaceful shorelines, and a calm pace that contrasts with the hustle of Birmingham. Victoria's compact layout and central, super-walkable neighborhood place essential amenities — grocery stores, a hospital, and medical services — within a 15-minute walk. The smaller size rarely feels crowded and supports a more relaxed daily life, though some big-city perks are missed.
Read at Business Insider
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