According to Vancouverite Debbi Bloomfield, who has lived across the globe, Moncton, New Brunswick ranks among the world's most welcoming places, surpassing her current city in hospitality. Bloomfield, born in Montreal, has resided in Toronto, London, Johannesburg, and Vancouver, and now spends time in Calgary visiting grandchildren. She asserts that nowhere matched the warmth she experienced in Moncton.
Instant Inclusion in Moncton
Bloomfield describes that upon arriving in Moncton, she and her family were immediately embraced by the community. There was no formal reception, just an attitude of "You're one of us now." Within days, neighbors were in each other's kitchens as if they had lived there for years. She emphasizes that people were not merely polite but genuinely friendly, making integration effortless.
Vancouver's Reputation for Politeness vs. Friendliness
In contrast, Bloomfield finds Vancouver famously polite but not friendly. She notes a growing reluctance among residents to even say hello, making it much harder to build a community. It took her family considerable effort to form a circle of friends in Vancouver, unlike the spontaneous connections in Moncton. She criticizes Vancouver for taking pride in its natural setting while neglecting local congeniality.
Personal Anecdote of Welcoming Communities
Bloomfield's experience echoes a broader pattern of hospitality in smaller communities. She recalls moving to Greenwich, Connecticut, before a "perfect storm," where strangers provided coats, boots, and baked goods, and neighbors invited her family to events, making them part of the scenery within a month. This mirrors the Maritimes' welcoming culture, which she believes is exceptional.
