As I moved here full-time in June, my opinion on the city:
- People are super-friendly
- Real estate (downtown especially) is ridiculously priced - especially if you want something with space; but you can find decent spots (I have a townhouse right downtown for only $4500/mth for 2400 sq feet)
- Plenty of very attractive women
- Lots of events, activities, festivals, etc... come through town
- Super low crime/violence (just lots of "missing people")
- Closeness to awesome nature
- Restaurants & Bars are the same as any major city; you can find clubs for $15 cocktails or cheap pubs for $2 beers.
- Taxes are not bad at all for Canada; esp. versus say, Quebec.
- I live here now. That alone jacks the city's reputation up a few points
- Dark and gloomy thing is over-blown; although I enjoy dark and rainy, every 2nd day right now has quite a bit of sunshine and the winters are super warm.