Vancouver would definitely be a great compromise for air quality and urban living. You'd be able to go over to the island for camping, plus winter and summer sports at Whistler-Blackcomb. It's a couple hours south to Seattle as well, for additional urban/club/social fixes.
Victoria is a little mellower, but you are "stuck on a rock" if you go there. Still a city, but not as much nightlife, though there are a lot of motorcycle aficionados, including my uncle-Dave-by-marriage. Another of my aunts spent a few years there, but didn't find it lively or cold-weather-sport friendly for her, moving to Calgary several years back. Still, she did dragon boat races, and made the most of opportunities.
I have an aunt living out in Maple Ridge, east of Vancouver, in addition to the four other aunts and an uncle on the island (plus spouses, and children), and my grandparents, too, so I've spent a lot of time up in the Vancouver Island area, and a little in Vancouver proper.
Visit a few times as you can afford it. The whole area is very out-doorsy, lots of camping, skiing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, snowboarding, etc., so if that sounds remotely appealing, there you go. I know they've implemented some smog control regulations over the past decade, and the climate is generally milder than Toronto for heat or cold.
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zvi
(no subject)
Date: 2010-09-01 06:09 pm (UTC)Victoria is a little mellower, but you are "stuck on a rock" if you go there. Still a city, but not as much nightlife, though there are a lot of motorcycle aficionados, including my uncle-Dave-by-marriage. Another of my aunts spent a few years there, but didn't find it lively or cold-weather-sport friendly for her, moving to Calgary several years back. Still, she did dragon boat races, and made the most of opportunities.
I have an aunt living out in Maple Ridge, east of Vancouver, in addition to the four other aunts and an uncle on the island (plus spouses, and children), and my grandparents, too, so I've spent a lot of time up in the Vancouver Island area, and a little in Vancouver proper.
Visit a few times as you can afford it. The whole area is very out-doorsy, lots of camping, skiing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, snowboarding, etc., so if that sounds remotely appealing, there you go. I know they've implemented some smog control regulations over the past decade, and the climate is generally milder than Toronto for heat or cold.
Good luck.