In December 2023, my Brazilian brother-in-law moved to Vancouver for his studies, which prompted our family to plan a visit in July-August 2024. Our group included my husband, son, and mother-in-law coming from Brazil; my mum and stepdad from Belgium; and my brother and sister-in-law from the UK. The journey from Brazil was, naturally, the longest.
Our layover was in Toronto and when we arrived in Vancouver, I felt a big difference between Toronto and Vancouver’s airports. The Toronto one was huge and after that the Vancouver one felt like a small town’s airport. When I researched both cities and airports, I realized that my impression was correct. Toronto’s airport is the biggest one in Canada and it’s just outside of the city centre. Vancouver’s airport is in a Metro Vancouver municipality called Richmond. Moreover, Metro Vancouver’s population is 2.6 million, while the Greater Toronto Area’s is 6.2 million according to Statistics Canada.
Stepping out of the Vancouver airport, I was immediately struck by the size of the cars. In Canada, cars are much larger than those in Europe. I noticed designated parking spaces for larger vehicles labelled “wide parking space” and signs indicating spaces reserved for smaller cars. In Europe, cars are generally uniform in size, so such distinctions are unnecessary.
Downtown Vancouver, with its beautiful waterfront and vibrant atmosphere, felt more like what I had pictured, and reminded me slightly of Sydney, Australia.
We got into our rental car and drove to Surrey, a town just outside Vancouver where we’d rented a large house to accommodate our group of nine. Finding a spacious and affordable house was easier further out from the city centre.
Although I know the reason why, it was still amusing to see the English influence on local place names — Surrey, for instance, is the name of the county where I did my undergraduate studies just outside of London.
Arriving in Surrey, I was struck not only by the size of the cars but also by the scale of the houses. In Canada, large homes seem more common and less indicative of extreme wealth compared to Europe.
Our first restaurant meal in Canada was another eye-opener. The portions were enormous, and we struggled to finish our plates. This sense of size seemed reminiscent of the US, where large houses, cars, and meal portions are similarly prevalent.
On our first day exploring Vancouver, we inadvertently drove through Downtown Eastside and were confronted with a troubling scene of homelessness and drug addiction. The area was extensive, and it was disheartening to see such social issues. However, our experience in Downtown Vancouver and Coal Harbour soon dispelled our initial fears. Downtown Vancouver, with its beautiful waterfront and vibrant atmosphere, felt more like what I had pictured, and reminded me slightly of Sydney, Australia.
Photo gallery
While we were in Vancouver, we also took a day trip to Seattle, and while the two cities are close geographically, Seattle’s vibe differed from Vancouver’s. Seattle is a very nice city, but I found Vancouver more to my liking. As a mother of a four-year-old, my favourite thing about Vancouver was the fact that it was so family and kid-friendly. There were so many awesome high-quality playgrounds, parks, and activities everywhere. I don’t think I’d ever been to a better city for families with kids.
Even the Science World is geared more towards kids than adults. We literally spent the whole day there because my son loved it so much and wanted to see and experience everything. They also did shows for kids, and we happened to watch one about bubble science, which was a huge hit.
There are many lakes around Vancouver, and we went to one twice. It was so beautiful. The water had a turquoise colour, and the lake was surrounded by beautiful pine trees. It was crowded there, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. We took a kayak with us and took turns using it. When I rowed away from the shore and found a place in the lake away from people, it felt so peaceful just floating there and taking in the silence.
When we were driving away from the lake at the end of the day, we saw the sunset beaming through the pine trees, it was so magical. It’s amazing how easy it is for the people of Vancouver to escape city life and recharge in nature whenever it’s needed.
The water in Estonia is considered clean and safe to drink from the tap, but I personally don’t enjoy the taste. In Canada, on the other hand, it tastes so good. It reminds me of the water in Finland.
Granville Island was a highlight for our family. The kids’ market and outdoor playground were perfect for our son, while the public market and waterfront area offered a delightful experience for adults. The sunset views from Granville Island were spectacular.
Regarding food, while dining out didn’t offer exceptional culinary experiences, the supermarket choices, especially at Fresh St. Market, were impressive. If I lived in Canada, I’d likely cook at home more often, as many Canadians seem to do.
I was surprised by how nice the weather was during most of our stay. I expected it to be rather chilly and rainy, as it often is in Estonia during summer, but it was very warm and dry. I now know that Vancouver is the warmest city in Canada and used to be known as a rainy city but has become much drier in recent years.
A big highlight for us was the cleanliness of the water. The water in Estonia is considered clean and safe to drink from the tap, but I personally don’t enjoy the taste. In Canada, on the other hand, it tastes so good. It reminds me of the water in Finland. I would say their quality is pretty much the same. It wasn’t only good to drink, but it also felt really good on our hair and body when taking a shower. It sounds like such a minor thing, but it makes a huge difference to quality of life.
Overall, our trip to Vancouver was wonderful. The city’s high quality of life, family-friendly environment, stunning natural surroundings, and warm locals made a lasting impression. I’d happily consider living in Vancouver and look forward to exploring more of Canada in the future.
