Where did you call home before Vancouver?
I’m originally from France. Before moving to Vancouver, I lived in the Champagne region of France, in the town of Epernay which is the self-proclaimed “Capitale du Champagne”… Champagne comes out of the tap in Epernay. No, I’m kidding, but I did drink it at least once a week! Every gathering is an occasion to drink Champagne in Epernay! I really learned to appreciate and enjoy it too, I found that not all Champagnes taste the same, they all have their specificity.
How long have you been in Vancouver?
I moved to Vancouver in April 2017, so I’ve been living here a little over 2 years now.
What drew you to Vancouver?
The weather, mild for Canada: the not-too-cold winters and not-too-hot summers, the myriad possibilities for outdoor activities with the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, the laid-back West Coast atmosphere, the fact that it’s an Anglophone city – I learned English at a young age while living in the US for several years and I wanted to practice English in a professional setting. The Green City Action Plan also attracted me because I work in sustainability and I thought there might be compelling job opportunities for me here.
What is your favourite thing about Vancouver, and why? (can be an activity, location, event, etc.)
Compared to where I come from, I find people for the most part very open-minded and accepting here. I find that overall, there is a lot more respect and tolerance than in France, it makes me feel safe and that I can just be myself on a day-to-day basis without fear of being judged. I am learning about all kinds of differences and it opened my mind that much more.
In the beginning, what got you to attend a Relocal event?
I met Crystal at a Social Impact Support Group event at the Hive (coworking space on West Hastings Street) and we have been friends ever since! I have kind of followed the making of Relocal since its inception, I believe I’m one of the early Relocal enthusiasts and participated in the very first outing.
What is the best thing you have gotten out of Relocal so far?
I love that the spirit of Relocal events is about fostering connections and sharing, it allows me to discover new neighbourhoods while meeting like-minded people and supporting local businesses. It’s those 3 things blended together: place-based, values-aligned and like-minded.
Not to mention Crystal is a wealth of great recommendations around the city! Relocal has definitely helped me feel better integrated in this foreign city.
What is one tip you have for someone who is new to Vancouver?
Not one tip but three: get out there, talk to people and be curious!