The average Vancouver house price is $611,000 so if you are a trust fund baby, Hong Kong millionaire with a foot in Canada, or on welfare, Vancouver is really cool. Otherwise, you are both working two jobs to make the rent. This isn't to blame anything on socialism because the mountains limit sprawl and increase the demand and cost of living space. Also, if you don't mind rain, Vancouver is as balmy as Canada gets. Still, despite not being as scenic or as warm in the winter, I would perfer to live in Rochester, MN or Madison, WI in a heartbeat.