To be honest, however, our community falls somewhat short of perfection. The City's evolution has produced a vibrant retail and commercial core immediately surrounded by areas of mixed commercial and high density residential neighbourhoods. Further from the City's core are detached single-family neighbourhoods, averaging six units per acre organised around traditional neighbourhood centres. Outside of the dense core higher density residential development has occurred in narrow strips along arterial streets. The economy is thriving in a variety of sectors.
Pristine nature is close-by and accessible.
People are generally very nice and very politically correct. This community of wealth and correctness is, however, reducing its commitment to public education, making choices which reduce air and water quality, and showing tolerance for increasing concentrations of poor children of colour. The drug culture is strong among young adults. Fear takes a toll on women who are feeling ever more vulnerable in spite of improved crime statistics, Constructive engagement in civic affairs is down but complaining is up. In spite of land- use strategies intended to increase utilisation of public transit, the transit system has been losing market share to the automobile each year.