Day 278 – It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

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278/365 (October 5, 2010) – The sun was out and the bike was calling for me. I didn’t leave the North Shore, why would I want to on a day like this? Ride through multiple construction zones on the freeway to get away from the ocean and the mountains? No thanks, there are lots of great spots to ride right here on the North Shore.

Interesting article in the Vancouver Sun today…

Want to be happy? Move to the North Shore. Survey shows residents there are Metro’s most satisfied

While it does point out that Metro Vancouver is prohibitively expensive to live in, it also paints the area live in, the North Shore, as “one of the happiest places in Metro Vancouver — a region where most people say they are very satisfied with the quality of life, according to the Vancouver Foundation’s latest report card on the region’s vitality. “The neat thing about North Vancouver is it has a village feel to it; we have our local market, a lot of family-run shops … a lot of weekends we don’t have a need to leave the North Shore.”

The 2010 Vital Signs report, which grades Metro Vancouver on 12 key indicators of livability, surveyed 1,200 people on the economy, affordability, getting around, safety, belonging, learning, environmental sustainability, housing, children and youth, seniors, and health and wellness.

Of those surveyed, 87 per cent rated their quality of life as good or excellent, with 86 per cent agreeing Metro Vancouver is a “vibrant, lively and appealing place to live.”

The reason? The region’s “physical beauty” topped the list, followed by the weather, climate and year-round recreation. But it isn’t scenery alone that makes people smile. Feeling connected and trusting neighbours also has an underlying effect on livability, with residents giving a B-to “belonging” — defined as participating in community events, voting and volunteering — in their communities.

This was likely a spinoff from the 2010 Winter Olympics, which brought people together and had them singing the national anthem in the streets, said Vital Signs director Lidia Kemeny. About 68 per cent of respondents feel they belong in Metro Vancouver, a higher number than in Toronto and Montreal.

“Strong social connections are not as tangible as beautiful mountains or a temperate climate or having a good job or nice house,” Kemeny said. “But ultimately they are essential to our experience of our community and our personal lives … and to making us feel enthusiastic about our region. In other words, connections are essential to community vitality.”

Yes, love it here, can’t think of a single other place I’d ever rather live.