I guess if I judged cities based on the caliber of the teenage boys who loiter the streets, I would have to love Edmonton, hate Amman (groped) and hate Ottawa (grabbed… on Fifth Ave. in the city’s yuppiest neighborhoods, of all places.) But I loved Amman and I feel content (if a bit bored) in Ottawa. But I have no real love for Edmonton, even though it’s the city where I had my first kiss, learned to drive, went to high school.
I have always thought I hated Edmonton, because that’s how I felt in high school when I moved there. I was an unhappy, awkward teenager, so I probably would have hated anywhere.
But actually, Edmonton is alright. It has more interesting restaurants and bars that Ottawa (not saying much, mind you.) It has a vibrant theater and music scene, great festivals in the summer, and lovely paths by the river where you can wander around and take photographs. There are safe neighborhoods for kids, up-and-coming neighborhoods, and places to walk your dog. I guess this is what “quality of life” is supposed to measure in the traditional sense of the term.
If I wanted to “settle down” I’m sure I could live here near my family, make nice friends and find interesting things to engage with.
But I guess you can’t fight who you are. So I suppose I will continue to come here on occasion to visit my parents. I’ll continue to feel like a stranger in the city that is so loaded with angsty high school memories.
I will, however, stop talking shit about the place. This isn’t a bad town, and it doesn’t deserve my retribution for not liking high school.
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