Agree. Kootneys are a dream, Van holds its own problems, as well as being nightmare expensive. However, remember that also the surrounding areas, Surrey included, each hold their own problems... so it's not like you can pick one above the other sometimes... I've recently just got to Richmond, and yeah you get good, but you also get the bad, it's the same with each surrounding place. BC is a BIG province, and varies so much within half hour driving (or even walking) time brackets! Similar to the post above, I would also recommend traveling and getting out to the smaller surrounding areas of the province. Public transport (not including taxis) is dirty cheap [if not free if you play your cards right *wink*] to get in/out of the city in just under an hour. So if you drive, you might find it cheaper (and way easier) to park on the outskirts and head in on foot.
I don't know really what kinda thing you're looking for - but I would say if you can get yourself, and your papa, outta the city ASAP then things WILL start to form a clearer and easier path... Van is a monster that relentlessly sucks in! And from being there, it is continuously not easy to break free from, especially if you allow it to become your only option. It's fun as long as it can last, but it's also mad... and then, before you know it, you're in to depths way beyond your reach... shelters (including female only shelters) completely filled up...etc. Be the one to provide the alternative , you CAN stay off / semi off grid, you can grow your own food, inuding things like grapes - make wine - and all sorts, just a short while outside of Vancouver - and stay places bored free in exchange for working (for a couple of days a week), keep investigating that type of stuff and don't allow yourself to get into that dark city hole - remain WHOLE and wholesome!
Let me know what you're seeking and I'll do my best to fix you some links
it sounds hippy, and yeah, I guess it is... it's also cheap, and if done properly, and considering the land prices, it's fully worth it. I'm a half and half sorta person - I love wild nature, but I do also love the city/metropolitan, so don't get me wrong - but in this instance, and for your situation
(this is just in my opinion, bare in mind) being in bulk of the city is not the place to be.
