It’s not easy being green. Unless perhaps you’re Vancouver.
“The city’s green environmental approach is supported and re-enforced by the beautiful natural landscapes that surround us,” said Michelle Benson, marketing company president for U-Haul Company of Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and North Shore Mountain from a modern glass skyline, it’s no wonder that newcomers continue to move to Vancouver – and take the necessary steps to make sure its beauty is preserved. It offers a unique blend of urban and active lifestyles, and in 2014, many people made this Earth-friendly city their own.
Vancouver comes in at No. 5 on the U-Haul Top 10 Canadian Destinations Cities, rising one spot from the previous year. The rankings reflect the top destinations of one-way U-Haul truck rentals for the past calendar year.
While migration trends reports do not correlate directly to a city’s population or economic growth, they are a strong gauge as to how well cities are attracting new residents.
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“Vancouver is one of the most spectacular and lively cities in the world, with an incredibly diverse and vibrant population living amongst the incredible natural setting of our nearby mountains and the Pacific Ocean,” Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said.
Vancouver on the water
“Our economy is seeing an exciting boom in a variety of innovative sectors. This helps to attract top talent and new families from throughout the world. For these reasons and many more, it’s an honour to be named one of U-Haul’s top ten destinations in Canada.”
Vancouver’s attraction and attentiveness to the environment is no accident. A citywide plan is underway for it to become the greenest city by 2020. The plan creates public parks, expands public transit and aims to revitalize the city while reducing carbon emissions.
Likewise, U-Haul strives to benefit the environment through truck sharing, a core U-Haul sustainability business practice that allows individuals to access a fleet of trucks larger than what they could access on an individual basis. Every U-Haul truck placed in a community helps keep 19 personally owned large-capacity vehicles, pickups, SUVs and vans off the road, translating to less traffic congestion, less pollution, less fuel burned and cleaner air.
“Vancouver strives to compete with the highest ranking environmental cities and countries in the world by adopting policies that encourage biking, recycling, conscious limiting use of available resources, and community planning” Benson noted.
As Vancouver takes on a greener appearance, so does its economy. One instigator for new businesses is the accessible Port Metro Vancouver, Canada’s largest port and a main gateway into the country.
Numerous corporations have set up major branches downtown, including energy moguls BP® and Shell®. Coming soon to the area is retailer Nordstrom®. The upward economic trend continues from there.
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Vancouver residents enjoy their entertainment, too. Mountain hiking and skiing are around just the corner; museums and art galleries abound; and there are music and film festivals throughout the year. Vancouver and Toronto remain North America’s premier film and television production locations after Los Angeles and New York City.
It is no surprise that such an active and vibrant city like Vancouver would be chosen to host the championship match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on July 5 at BC Place.
Much like the World Cup, U-Haul is narrowing the field of contestants for top billing in the Top 10 Canadian Destination Cities. Continue to visit myuhaulstory.com as U-Haul counts down to the No. 1 destination for 2014.
Vancouver residents are invited to become U-Haul Famous. Take your picture in front of a U-Haul product, send it in and your face could land on the side of a U-Haul truck. Upload your photo through Instagram using #uhaulfamous, or go to uhaulfamous.com to submit photos and learn more.
Canadian Destination Cities
Interactive Infographic on Vancouver:
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