Vancouver ranks 19th globally for Gen Z living—only Canadian city on Time Out's best list

Vancouver is the only Canadian city named to Time Out's new global ranking of the world's best places to live for people under 30, placing 19th on a 20-city list topped by Tokyo.

Time Out partnered with Intrepid Travel to curate the rankings by narrowing results from a 2026 survey to reflect responses from Gen Z respondents only, selecting the highest-scoring city in each country. Travel writer Liv Kelly noted that the ranking focuses on "forensic details which make each hub particularly liveable for under-30s"—beyond just nightlife and food, the criteria Gen Z themselves prioritized.

Time Out said Vancouver "really lives up to the lore." The publication highlighted the city's reputation for friendly residents and breathtaking nature, while acknowledging cost of living as a trade-off. "While yes, it's a tad on the expensive side, it's a great place for young people to start setting down some roots," Time Out noted. The outlet pointed to dropping rent prices and budget-friendly access to mountains, beaches, and parks as offsetting factors.

Two neighborhoods earned specific praise: Commercial Drive and Main Street, described as offering "a smattering of breweries, listening bars and themed venues." Time Out singled out Fox Cabaret as a standout venue.

Transit infrastructure ranked as a strength in the survey, with locals commending the city's transit network. Green space also scored highly, with 81 percent describing it as good or amazing. The same proportion of respondents said they found joy in everyday experiences, suggesting a quality-of-life factor beyond typical tourist attractions.