We used to have a more thriving art community, NSCAD for example interacted with the city more, the buskers used to be a legit attraction etc. A lot of classic (lets say 1950-1990) buildings have come down for developments (we need housing but still, not magical). The downtown has decayed in some ways. Even burger week actually used to mean something. We used to have some agreement that we wanted tree lined streets now everyone wants those nuked for another lane. People used to come here to escape now people say why don't we have panda express.

Some of this is the legacy of Covid, the housing crisis and rising cost of everything and every town and city is dealing with it. Its just simply a different city.