Exploring Vancouver

Getting Out There: The Commitment

March 23, 2019March 25, 2019 vancityhug

So you’ve done the tourist stuff, and you’ve flirted with a few one-off activities and events. Maybe you’ve seen a museum or two, or dipped a toe into the world of water-sports, or fulfilled that childhood Musketeer dream by trying a spot of fencing.

If you’re ready to put down roots in your new community, or if you just miss the comfort of a predictable routine, you’re probably ready for The Commitment. It’s time to discover some activities that require a little more effort and a lot more time, and hopefully you’ll meet some awesome new people along the way.

There are so many options here, and of course you can start your search by Googling sports or activities you love and finding clubs or classes in your area. I want to give you a few suggestions, as there’s a good chance there’s something out there that you simply haven’t heard of yet:

If your main goal is to meet people:

GirlCrew is an app (and Facebook group) aimed solely at women, and its mission is simple: to help women connect with other women in their areas. The Vancouver crew is quite active, and they frequently host events for newbies.
Meetup.com is based on a similar idea, but the focus is much more on activities. Looking for a cycling group, or a board game night, or a brunch club? Sign up and find your people.

If your main goal is to do something new:

Join your local library and sign up for the book club. If you’re close to the Central branch in downtown Vancouver, welcome to the library of your dreams.
Buy an annual membership to the Vancouver Art Gallery, and snigger every time you think of their unfortunate acronym. It’s $90 for a year.
Sign up for a night-class at BCIT. They offer heaps of part-time programmes, and it’s all stuff that will look great on your resume.
Sign up for a part-time art class at Emily Carr. They offer courses across lots of different disciplines, from Illustration to Textile Arts.

Exploring Vancouver

Getting Out There: The Groupon

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 vancityhug

As a continuation of yesterday’s getting out there theme, today we’re going to look at how Groupon can keep you active and exploring the city as you settle in. Whether you moved here alone and are looking for fun solo activities, or want to try something new with a friend or partner, Groupon’s got you.

It’s no secret that I’d gladly sign up for a tour of the nine circles of hell if there was a good deal going on Groupon. In a city as large and vibrant as Vancouver, the opportunities for new experiences are endless – and they can be affordable too. A quick search for Things To Do for $30 or less returned 99 results in Vancouver today. Here’s a sample of what’s on offer:

Activities for One

Take a two-hour painting class, including materials: $25
Spend two hours kayaking in Deer Lake, Burnaby: $19
Take a 90-minute jewellery-making class, $29
Take two beginner salsa classes, $10

Activities for Two or more

Visit the Vancouver Police Museum, based in the old morgue: $12 for two people
Spend two hours boating in Deer Lake, Burnaby: $21 for two people
Visit Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC, $14.50 for two people
Take six hours of salsa lessons for beginners, $22 for two people

Exploring Vancouver

Getting Out There: The Mini-Adventure

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 vancityhug

Have we talked about moving stress? Ugh. I moved around quite a lot when I was younger, and nothing has ever stressed me out like the move to Vancouver did. Maybe it’s something that gets worse with age, or maybe the planets were just mis-aligned when I was packing up my life at home, but it was not an experience I’d ever like to repeat.

The stress had a huge impact on me, and I found that I was way less interested than usual in getting out there and exploring when I first arrived. I didn’t know many people in the city, and it all just felt like hard work. As a naturally lazy introvert, I had to develop a few survival techniques that forced me out into the real world every weekend. I’m going to share them here in a series of posts, beginning with The Mini-Adventure.

Weekend looming with not a single plan on the horizon? Fantasizing about comfy pants and a sack of Cheese Pleasers? Unleash with your inner explorer and set yourself a mini-mission instead.

The idea is a simple one: think of something you love, and seek it out. Not at your neighbourhood 7-Eleven, not at the bakery you walk past every day, but in a far-flung corner of the city that you’ve never explored before. Lots of great mini-adventures begin with a Google search: best donut in Vancouver, best coffee in Vancouver, best jerky… you get the idea. My favourite things are mostly edible, but maybe you’re more interested in music stores, or used books, or parks, or kitchen gadgets.

Here are a few suggestions:

Schlep all the way to Aubade in Chinatown for a small cup of coffee and a large dose of hipster chic.
Take the SkyTrain to Aberdeen Mall and sample the delicious fresh jerky at Mei Jan Hong Singaporean Jerky.
Venture deep into Stanley Park to discover the mysterious Two Spirits tree sculpture.
Hire a bike. Take it anywhere.
Ask your co-workers for suggestions. Act on them.