Like other cities and areas of the world, Vancouver has a distinct style, and there are certain essentials one needs in order to both fit in and make it through weather-wise. My friend’s girlfriend is moving to the city for the first time and in order for her to successfully make it through the rainy spring and the rest of the year, I put together this Vancouver survival essentials list.
- Vitamin D3 – Vancouver gets very little sun, and even when it isn’t raining, the sky is grey and overcast. It’s really important to get your Vitamin D here in Vancouver.
- A really great umbrella – did I mention that it rains here often? An umbrella is absolutely necessary to get through the rainy season (most of the year). I usually keep a fold-up umbrella in my purse or bag when I’m heading out for the day — for most of the year — but isn’t the above umbrella from modcloth so much more fun?
- With all the rain comes the need for a good pair of rain boots. I suffered through a poorly-drained university campus for long enough to know that the cool kids just wear rain boots for half the year (or Uggs – which are not water-proof. . .I don’t understand the appeal in this rainy city). These beauties don’t come cheap, but they’ll certainly last you quite a few years.
- Perfect for stuffing in to your rain boots, every Vancouverite needs a stash of yoga pants. Sure, some people actually wear these pants to practice yoga, but even if that isn’t your cup of tea, yoga pants will still come in handy for quick trips to the grocery store, and walks around Stanley Park (and the seawall).
Other things to think about getting:
- An air purifier might be needed, depending on where in the city you live. I’ve needed several in the space of a small apartment, in a few places where I’ve lived in the city.
- Roll-up grocery bags. Most people end up stopping for groceries (or other shopping) on their way home, so having roll-up grocery bags on you at all times is advisable.
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Ellen Christian says
Rain boots are an absolute MUST in Vermont in the spring except I think we'd call them mud boots! I love the shiny red ones though!
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tazimd says
Yes, those red boots are nice for sure. Is it pretty dry in Vermont in summer, or still somewhat rainy?
Lena says
Is it really that bad? I don't think I even own a pair of rain boots here in CHicago
tazimd says
Yes, it is really bad – where it would normally snow during winter in other cities, it rains here – so basically from November in to May, there's a good chance it will rain or be overcast.
Amanda says
Vancouver and Seattle are roughly close to each other! I went there one New Years when I lived on the coast. Anyway… That is pretty much all the essentials there too! The Vitamin D is important! When I moved back to the Midwest after living in Seattle for 5 years I was horridly deficient in 3 types of Vitamin D. eek.
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tazimd says
Yes, exactly – Seattle is pretty much the same weather-wise. Reminds me, I should take some Vitamin D
Jenny K says
Cute umbrellas! I need a new one fro spring and that one with the peacock feathers would be perfect!