I've fallen head over heels for Vancouver. Most people (who don't live here) think it's a beautiful city but they can't understand how people can love Vancouver so intensely that the cost of living is acceptable. If your soul mate cost you a lot of money, would you leave them? No--with a big gulp you'd pass over the cash and enjoy the time you have together. It took at least a year for me to feel that same commitment to this city--I was highly resistant to V's charms at first.

This love is a curse though, because if you ever have to move somewhere else (if life were to require leaving) how do you feel complete again?

Being downtown is good for a hermit such as myself. I grew up in the country and have always felt confined in any city. I hate having to interact with people every minute of every day. I still walk around staring blankly off into space so I don't have to make eye contact with anyone who might require something of me.

And so, despite all that I have said, I have a plan to get out of the city one day--out of downtown and out of the suburbs. Living just on the outside of civilization so that I can always duck back in for an Americano or a shopping trip (to clothe my stylish recluse ass). However, if this love affair continues I'll probably be 60 years old still saying "I have a dream of getting out of the city one day..."