British Family Relocates to Canada, Misses Traditional Pub Culture
# We relocated from a UK town to a British expat hub, but we're missing something essential
Jack Masterson and his wife, Natalie, have made a significant life change by moving with their two children to North Vancouver, Canada. This family sought a new adventure that led them across the Atlantic Ocean to a vibrant community infused with British influences.
The couple had long pondered the idea of relocating. Jack expressed that "For years, Natalie and I both had this nagging question in the back of our minds, 'what if we moved elsewhere?' Then the conversation quite quickly became 'where and when.'" Their destination, Lynn Valley in North Vancouver, boasts a thriving community filled with fellow Brits, which has eased their transition.
Jack remarked on the strong expat presence, stating, "We've got quite the limey community here in Lynn Valley." However, despite the sense of belonging among other British expatriates, he pointed out a significant gap. "But while there are a lot of Brits here, we're missing one thing: English drinking culture and pubs." He elaborated that while the area has numerous microbreweries, it lacks traditional British pubs.
Jack noted the distinct differences in liquor laws, mentioning that "they don't even sell beer in the supermarkets in British Columbia – you must go to these special government liquor stores." This has spurred some light-hearted discussions among fellow Brits about potentially opening their own pub in Lynn Valley to foster the beloved British pub culture.