Things you thought you'd hate but then ended up liking

[Rothman]

I've wondered about how Vancouver has all those buildings but a relatively small population.

[Max Rockatansky]

Helps having the highest population density in Canada.  Surrey has a similar population but has almost three times as much land to work with.

[pderocco]

Vancouver on my recent trip was something I didn't think I'd end up liking.  The city actually very pleasant and it wasn't hard to drive around in.  I thought the experience was going to be more akin to slogging around Seattle.  I don't generally like modern architecture but the downtown area is hitting on something that pleases the eye.  Definitely was the most unique downtown in a Canadian city which I've been to.

One interesting thing about Vancouver is that there are no freeways into downtown. To get there, you have to drive five miles of BC-99 from the south, a few miles from TC-1 in the east, or a few miles of BC-99 from the north over Lions Gate Bridge. Also, the highways feel to me like the highways I learned to drive on fifty years ago in New England.

But I do love the downtown. I think Vancouver has more hi-rises than any other city in North America except NYC, and all in a small area. With the harbor, North Vancouver, and the mountains as a backdrop, it looks like a tiny chunk of Hong Kong from a distance.

I think you hit on what I found appealing.  I'm used to a particular European aesthetic with the downtowns in other big Canadian cities.  Downtown Vancouver definitely felt like it has a far more Asian aesthetic with the modern largely glass facade high rises.  There also wasn't much in the way of American-style Brutalism to be found either.

It also has a substantial wealthy Asian population, or so I've heard.

[pderocco]

Helps having the highest population density in Canada.  Surrey has a similar population but has almost three times as much land to work with.

That would explain Surrey's huge library. Did you happen to see that building on your trip? It's pretty dramatic. I first saw it in a Mercedes TV ad.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hAKAtPVuxA9EkjgUA

[Max Rockatansky]

Helps having the highest population density in Canada.  Surrey has a similar population but has almost three times as much land to work with.

That would explain Surrey's huge library. Did you happen to see that building on your trip? It's pretty dramatic. I first saw it in a Mercedes TV ad.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hAKAtPVuxA9EkjgUA

Missed much of central Surrey since our hotel was out on the river in Stevenston. 

[webny99]

One interesting thing about Vancouver is that there are no freeways into downtown. To get there, you have to drive five miles of BC-99 from the south, a few miles from TC-1 in the east, or a few miles of BC-99 from the north over Lions Gate Bridge.

And requires passing through some rough neighborhoods, too, especially from the east. In the US you could hardly find anything comparable to E Hastings St as a primary route between downtown and suburbs. Even San Fran has freeways much closer to the business district.

I think you hit on what I found appealing.  I'm used to a particular European aesthetic with the downtowns in other big Canadian cities.  Downtown Vancouver definitely felt like it has a far more Asian aesthetic with the modern largely glass facade high rises. 

Toronto is probably the closest comparison in terms of Canadian cities.

[Rothman]

One interesting thing about Vancouver is that there are no freeways into downtown. To get there, you have to drive five miles of BC-99 from the south, a few miles from TC-1 in the east, or a few miles of BC-99 from the north over Lions Gate Bridge.

And requires passing through some rough neighborhoods, too, especially from the east. In the US you could hardly find anything comparable to E Hastings St as a primary route between downtown and suburbs. Even San Fran has freeways much closer to the business district.

I think you hit on what I found appealing.  I'm used to a particular European aesthetic with the downtowns in other big Canadian cities.  Downtown Vancouver definitely felt like it has a far more Asian aesthetic with the modern largely glass facade high rises. 

Toronto is probably the closest comparison in terms of Canadian cities.

Toronto's skyscrapers look like they're all designed by the same three architects and built all around the same era.  Love the place, but it does seem to have less architectural diversity than, say Boston, New York or Chicago...

[Max Rockatansky]

I must've have missed those rough neighborhoods in Vancouver.  Then again I was staying on Aurora Avenue in Seattle for a couple nights on the same trip.  The variance between a Sprouts Farmers Market on one block to several questionable adult establishments a couple blocks down is an interesting contrast.