British Columbia vs. The United States

Anyone ever feel like where they live isn't the place for them? Like there's a 'thing' that's missing?

Canada is beautiful. Truly beautiful. The people in British Columbia are friendly and culturally, British Columbia is a real melting pot. There are East Indians, Japanese, Fijian, Chinese, Caribbean, African, Malaysian, Iranian - you name it.

Depending on the street/city you're in, you could be in any part of the world. I've been on road trips, but here's what my immediate area looks like:

Whistler Blackcomb - Ski resort town

BC Natural Parks

Historic Gastown

Now what about one of my favorite things - shopping?!

There are many great shops and cool spots to get clothing. BUT British Columbia is no Toronto. I can't help but feel like people here all look the same. If I had an abundance of cash then I could afford the overpriced signature pieces every girl needs. Since I have a budget, I venture across the border to Seattle when I can to get things that are more unique and jeans that FIT my...shape. Seattle is MUCH closer than Toronto is to me.

I might be generalizing here, but from my visits to places like Florida and Atlanta, I see a trend in the U.S. where people there are more - should I say - R A C I S T,,,shhhh. I'm not saying that people were using different bathrooms or anything, but I saw far more segregation there than I do in Canada. I felt like a minority in the U.S., here in Canada, minorities are what build each community so you don't have time to feel different. In Florida, the black people stared at my mother and I as we walked through the malls. I asked my Aunt who lives in Florida why that was and she said simply "You look different". So, I started to look for differences.

I carried an Abercrombie shopping bag and was dressed in a floral skirt and bright colored tank; Girls my age in Florida had Ecko shopping bags and wore jeans and hoodies from Coogi and Fubu...FUBU? I didn't know people still wore that brand! My hair was devoid of any type of extension, whereas girls in Florida wore their hair in long braid, synthetic and human hair extensions. Did those things make me THAT different? I mean, I wear extensions too from time to time. I started to notice speech differences too - I started to understand what some black people were talking about when they went on talk shows to speak out about being teased for sounding 'white'. I sounded more like a white American compared to the black Americans in Florida and Atlanta. If I had grown up in America would I have been teased too? If I decided to have children in America and trained them like my mother trained me in Jamaica would they?

What are the benefits to living in the U.S.?

• Well there's the fact that you can (according to shows on HGTV like "Property Virgins") buy a decent HOUSE for $200,000.00. In Canada, a starter CONDO sells for an average of $345,000.00. You can also rent an apt. for $400 a month in the US? In Canada, you'd be living in someones basement for that price. 

• Food is WAAAAAAAY cheaper...like really. Target and Kroger had me dropping my jaw when I saw all the deals.

• Hair Salons!!!

• Sally's Beauty Supply...heck - ANY beauty supply

• MACY'S!!!

• Jeans for my...Shape

What are the benefits to living in B.C.?

• Downtown Vancouver

• FREE Health care! Walk in - Get 30 tests - Walk Out...Oh, say thank you before you leave!

• Lots of Natural Land

• Multiculturalism

• Green Living. I appreciate that everyone tries to recycle / bike to work etc.

• SHORT Winters! One year we saw 2 days of snow. Usually there are about 8 - 10 snow days a year in the Lower Mainland and most of those days start with snow, but by the end of the day the snow melts.

• Beautiful Summers with Caribbean events

I think I need to live somewhere for 6 months - 1 year, then go somewhere else. Has anyone else ever felt like they need to move around to feel fulfilled?