6 Comments
Sep 2, 2020Liked by Line Editor

This is a great piece Jen. I can’t relate to the experience, as I’ve lived in one place my whole life. However, I’ve always found it interesting the number of people I’ve met who grew up or lived in places like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, and then decided to put down roots here in Ottawa. I’ve always assumed life is more exciting in those other cities, and it probably is, but they didn’t seem to regret the choice and would express sentiments similar to what you have here.

Expand full comment
Sep 2, 2020Liked by Line Editor

Vancouver was that "big" city for me. Last week, 23 years after moving to Calgary, a Save On Foods opened 5 minutes away. It's all good now!

Expand full comment
Sep 2, 2020Liked by Line Editor

I love this story, and can relate to it so well! Beautifully written Jen. You are such a talented and gifted writer. Keep it up. I'm so proud of you!

Expand full comment

Canada's long-term success depends on it having more than just a handful of options that offer financially attractive job opportunities. That said, I was surprised to reach the end of the article and find the author was describing...the 4th most populous city in the country! What a reflection on just how GTA-centric our country is.

Expand full comment

Interesting article and very much the same sentiment that I espouse to my former Calgary friends whose prospects as perpetual renters in Vancouver show up in their 'I'm sad about the cost of living, but that's part of life' Facebook posts every few months.

Having left and returned from my pilgrimage away from Calgary in my early 20's, time spent living in Wellington (~300k population) re-enforced the importance of a small hub rather than making me yearn for a mega-city. They left for Vancouver and Montreal in droves in their late 20's, hoping to put their creative skills to work in a city that looked like a better fit for all aspects of their identities.

Identity is a funny thing, because in your 20's, it means the world. Breaking the mold and surrounding yourself with people and places that reflect who you are (or want to become). At least for me, growing into my 30's put a stronger emphasis on making sure that my basic needs were met, and though the desire for like minded people and places still persists, it's obvious to me how foolish I was to think that I couldn't find those things in my home city.

The ones who stayed in Vancouver and Montreal seem to have swallowed the notion that parts of life that involved having a family, owning property and saving for retirement are beyond them, and that the world is forcing them into poverty. (See: r/personalfinancecanada discussions on Toronto and Vancouver housing affordability).

What kills me is that they've resigned themselves to the silly notion that Calgary is for rednecks and that they couldn't possibly find what they're looking for here. My response would be 'you're not in your 20's anymore. Lose the old hat'

Expand full comment

All very well said. My wife has a degenerative (and now advanced) disease which means that another move could mean her death, so I'm somewhat reconciled to remaining in Toronto. But I agree entirely that I don't need Toronto (even though this is my birthplace), and that even Vancouver, where I've also lived, is oversized for what I require. (I've also lived in The Hague and in the New York suburbs in Connecticut.) Places like Québec City, Halifax, Kamloops, all appeal. Thanks for this.

Expand full comment