[agrant]

Comments below in blue.


- relies on natural setting to sell itself as the standalone city is rather generic and unexceptional <<<< We also rely on our hotel and restaurant industry.
- thinks it's world class (it's not) <<<< Who says this? We probably have world class areas, such as our restaurant scene.
- laid back (i.e. boring, if vibrant urban culture is your thing) <<<< Depends on what you're used to. Compared to New York.... yes, we could seem dull, but at least we don't have things thrown in our face everywhere we look - it is laid back here like he said.
- nightlife, art scene, culture, urban vibrancy distinctly lacking or underdeveloped <<<< To be developed.
- bland, uninspired architecture (with a few exceptions)<<<< Then I'd say most modern architecture is bland. Old buildings, pre 50s always look better. Unfortunately we will never have a large stock of those buildings.
- sprawling suburbia, low population density outside of downtown peninsula (yet some people, apparently, find Vancouver "crowded"...?)<<<< I don't see this as a big problem or really that unusual. The city was not born in the same era as like Bruges Belgium...
- green...lots of parkland, urban forests etc. and surrounded by nature (the mountains and ocean the city is known for)
- summer brings out the best in people <<<< This is true.
- the rainy fall/winter season can be depressing <<<< and this.
- home to wreck beach (swimming nude in the ocean in the summer can be very therapeutic) <<<< I have no need for Wreck Beach. Naked men wanting to sell you drugs. No thanks.
- gay friendly <<<< I wouldn't know.
- an abundance of restaurant/eateries serving good food from every corner of the world <<<< Yup.
- multicultural <<<< Yup.
- xenophobia/intolerance has increased in recent years <<<< Seriously? I think 30 years ago was way worse. Try travelling to small town BC... it's worse than here. If Japan is xenophobic, we are perhaps slightly in comparison.
- poverty and homelessness increased dramatically during the last decade <<<< This is true.

- generally, as a place to live, rather boring, overrated and full of itself <<<< Dunno what to say about this. I like living here. Never seriously wanted to move somewhere else. I guess I'm full of it.
- a few saving graces that make living here bearable (provided, of course, one leaves the city for at least one month each year...this is a non-negotiable necessity) <<<< Sure. We all have to get out and see the world.


Also, wtf is this crap about being world class? Who is saying we're world class??? Let's give it a rest.