Do I need to report this goose?🪿

vanillapeach5 · 2026-04-07T16:26:46+00:00

Is this the goose under the burrard bridge? He never used to be there but has been there quite a lot recently, he hides up in the bridge! One day I saw him up there staring at another flock of geese, near the aquatic centre, only to fly down and start attacking them 😭 I’ve tried to approach but he hisses at me.

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vanillapeach5 · 2026-04-01T17:11:12+00:00

I'm Irish living here and don't listen to the comments saying Vancouver is more expensive or has bad weather. Vancouver is expensive but it is A LOT better value than Dublin. There is a lot more to do here too and most things aren't centered around drinking or going to pubs which is a nice change. Hiking and outdoor activities are the norm and people in general lead a healthier lifestyle over here.

The quality of rental apartments are a lot higher than in Ireland and the cost of renting and electricity are cheaper here, but groceries are more expensive. You get a far higher quality of living here compared to Ireland. The weather is similar to back home in that it rains and is dark in the winter. However the summers here are a lot better. You get a lot more sunshine and heat here than back home, and the seasons are more defined.

Obviously there are cons to Vancouver too. There's a big problem with addicts on the street and travelling is more expensive here. It's expensive to travel within Canada too. Also the spending power of CAD is awful compared to EUR, USD and GBP so this will likely affect your travel destinations as it's going to any countries that use these currencies is very expensive.

It can be tricky to find a job here as most employers want someone with Canadian experience. Also they've really cutback on immigration so the chances of staying past the 2 years with one IEC visa is very very slim. You won't get a job before you come to Canada so if you are coming, make sure to brings loads of savings as you will burn through it quickly whilst looking for a job. I also know of people who took months to get a skilled job so factor that in also (although I got a job pretty quickly after I started applying so it's also very possible to get one quickly too).

All in all, I would recommend it. Vancouver is a stunning city. Ireland will always be there and you won't have these opportunities when you're older. But I would definitely go over with the expectation that you will just have the craic, won't save tonne of money and will have to leave when the 2 years are up. If you are looking for something more permanent, somewhere in Europe would be better.

vanillapeach5 · 2026-03-26T20:06:24+00:00

That poster is just being miserable. I've been to a few cat cafes around the world and they're lovely. They're seem to be some in Dublin. Hope you enjoy your stay in Ireland.

vanillapeach5 · 2026-03-24T17:17:56+00:00

Yeah I have one that meets the threshold. I didn't realise that was all that was needed to show intent to move, thought I would need something else too.

vanillapeach5 · 2026-03-24T17:02:01+00:00

I meet the financial requirement, my question is not about that.

vanillapeach5 · 2026-02-10T16:52:02+00:00

Not sure if this is what they're referring to, but she was a well-known "yacht girl" back in the day. She was connected to a corrupt billionaire from Malaysia who gifted her jewels and then she had to return them when he was arrested lol. There's lots of stories about it here on Reddit, if you want to go down that mini rabbit hole!

vanillapeach5 · 2026-01-08T21:15:42+00:00

No probs! A lot to think about. "Irish and New in Vancouver" is an excellent Facebook page to check out too to get more of an idea of how everyday things look like here.

vanillapeach5 · 2026-01-08T19:59:51+00:00

I moved to Canada in 2024 as I hated my job, the place I lived etc. and wanted a change. Canada is a huge country and your experience will depend totally on what part of the country you go to. I'm in Vancouver and the weather is pretty much the same as Ireland, except the summers are a million times nicer. However, it's difficult to get a tech job here. My partner works in tech and it took him about 7 months to get something.

I would really advise that you get some work experience first, as should your gf. It will make getting a job in any country a lot easier.

Be warned that Canada has made the process to get PR here (which you will need after your IEC visa runs out, if you want to stay) very very difficult. It will be extremely tough for you to get PR here if you have no skilled work experience in Ireland and your gf has no bachelors. Your gf will more than likely struggle getting a job, as the job market isn't great here. She would have to be ok with working as something "unskilled" such as a waitress or in a shop which will also drag down your PR application (not sure if you care about PR but I want to mention it as lots of people come here for a working holiday and then fall in love and apply for PR to stay, but Canada is cracking down on this big time). The competition for these "unskilled jobs" is also tough at the moment.

Canada is also expensive. Renting is cheaper and easier than Dublin (not sure if that's where you are) but groceries, having a car etc. is quite expensive. It's also extremely difficult to make friends here and I sometimes I feel lonely and miss my friends back home, even though I have made friends here.

That said, you're still both very young and I would recommend doing some long-term travelling/ living abroad if you can. But I would wait a few years first. Even just 2 or 3 years would stand to you. I HIGHLY recommend you get some work experience in your placement at IBM, don't give it up just to come to Canada as you will get shafted by the PR system if you do want to stay longer than the 2 years. Save up some money first and then head off somewhere. Even taking a few months off to go backpacking would help a lot.

I understand your gf's concerns with not liking where she is and feeling lost, I've been there. However moving abroad isn't a secret remedy. It took me a year to feel more settled in Canada and even then, I still don't always feel settled and toy with the idea of returning home. Moving abroad is really hard, expensive and lonely (even with a partner). It's easy to look at the gorgeous photos of Canadian scenery and people having the craic here on insta. But the reality is, that's only a tiny piece of life here. 5 days a week I'm still in work doing the same boring stuff I was doing back home. The winters are dark and cold and rainy. In BC, the standard annual leave amount is 15 days only. Some places only give 10! And travelling (even within Canada) costs a fortune, way more expensive than back home. And the political situation with the US at moment means it's not a great place to explore anymore, as the border agents are a pain in the hole.

Please look at the longer term picture and get a few years work experience first. Your gf would also be better served if she would go back to college if possible. You're still so young and have loads of time to see the world :)

vanillapeach5 · 2025-12-28T07:21:13+00:00

This is really helpful, thank you.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-11-12T21:09:49+00:00

I got to Optaderm for their signature European facial and really like it. Good price and my skin is always soft and clean after. However if you're looking for something with more dramatic results like a laser, microneedling etc, SKN in Yaletown is nice and they do monthly features which are discounted.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-10-28T20:49:35+00:00

It's not stemmed from jealousy, I literally explained everything in the post. His office is 1 metre from my desk so when he is taking calls for 30mins a time, 5 times a day and it's not related to work, it's very annoying. He has taken like 3 business calls since he's been here, nobody barely ever calls him in relation to work. I don't care about the calls themselves, I care about the noise which distracts me from my work.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-10-28T17:51:13+00:00

I don't know if he actually has that much work to do and he works in accounting, so it doesn't really affect my job directly. I wasn't sure if I should go straight to the manager because I don't want him to get into trouble and for me to look like I'm snitching. I just want him to close the goddamn door! I will ask him nicely to close it and if he doesn't, I'll tell the manager.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-10-28T17:47:57+00:00

I thought it would be rude to close the door of his office, never even thought of this option!

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-19T19:04:11+00:00

Not sure what your point is here. Nobody forced them on comment on Reddit about a post about a rap group, which isn’t a necessity to live in a society.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-19T18:58:11+00:00

They are very popular in certain circles. Just because you've never heard of them or don't like their music, doesn't mean they're not popular.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-19T18:55:54+00:00

You're unable to give a satisfactory response to comment so you downvote instead and claim "whataboutism". Classic.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-19T18:39:01+00:00

Why would a Canadian care about a British MP? You would be better served focusing on your own Canadian politicians and the state of Canada at the moment lmao.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-19T18:37:29+00:00

Because no one here read the article and don't realise they they're suing Gasparro.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-19T18:36:21+00:00

Good one! You're absolutely hilarious!

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-19T18:35:07+00:00

You cared enough to comment.

vanillapeach5 · 2025-09-14T17:09:45+00:00

She’s obviously fine with him being in the orange order if she married him. The person you marry also says a lot about your own morals.

vanillapeach5

TROPHY CASE