Simpler times?
A trip down memory lane paves the way for nostalgia, and ten years ago is a bridging time lapse. Do you remember what it was like living in Vancouver ten years ago? Let’s unpack how the city has changed.
In the space of ten years, much has changed progressively. Within the residential sphere, the architectural type has changed drastically, especially with the introduction of high-rise buildings that accommodate the speedy growth of Vancouver’s population. Vancouver’s population was approximately 2.5 million in 2015; ten years later, in 2025, it is projected to surpass 3 million.Areas like Brentwood, Lougheed Town Centre, Oakridge and False Creek have now seen new significant developments that we enjoy today.
Metro Vancouver has also become widely connected with the introduction of the Evergreen Skytrain Line on December 2, 2016. Therefore, the rails of the Skytrain are extended from the depths of Lafarge Lake-Douglas to VCC-Clark. Ten years ago, despite the housing crisis, things were significantly cheaper. However, the average home price was considerably lower than in 2025. For example, In 2015, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,375 per month; in 2024, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,313 per month.
Content Creators were emerging on Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Twitter, but TikTok wasn’t a major platform yet.
The luxury of Uber or Lyft was only a reality by early 2020. Their introduction created an additional convenience that introduced a predictable pricing model with fare estimates compared to taxis and prepaid services through the Uber app, eliminating unexpected charges and thus allowing budget-friendly transportation.Moreover, we live in a more digitized era, and we can conveniently order transportation or food delivered to our doorsteps.
Vancouver is what it is today because of years of hard work and commitment. But what moments in the timeline would you like to relive?
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