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LIVING IN THE CITY IS A SCAM! — Why I Left Vancouver to Give My Family a Better Life

2,098 views · Published 20 April 2017 · 5:42 · Indexed 30 October 2026

Channel: Mike Martins · 2017 · People & Blogs

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“this like the first time I'm actually living since I left the city i'm living”
— Mike Martins

Hey YouTubers! Mike Martins here with the Mike Martins Channel, bringing you another episode of Living the Dream, coming to you from beautiful Merritt, British Columbia!

Today I'm sitting outside on the balcony with my son Antonio, enjoying the fresh air, looking out over the neighbourhood, and thinking about something I've been talking about for a long time.

People, I honestly believe we've been conditioned to think that we NEED to live in a major city to succeed in life!

And I'm starting to believe that living in the big city is one of the biggest scams we've been sold.

Think about it!

From the time we're young, we're told that if we want a good career, a better future, more opportunities, and a successful life, we have to move to a major metropolitan area.

Vancouver! Toronto! Sydney! Auckland! London!

We're supposed to move into these enormous cities, work two or three jobs, pay outrageous rent or mortgages, spend hours commuting, and somehow convince ourselves that we're getting ahead.

But are we actually living? Or are we just working to survive?

I Left Vancouver — And I'm Finally Living!

Since moving to Merritt, British Columbia, my entire perspective on life has changed.

I'm sitting here on my own balcony, watching my son play, looking at my property, and thinking about all the improvements I want to make.

We've got a beautiful family home, a large driveway, a yard, space for the children, and neighbours who actually know each other!

People wave when they drive by!

You get to know the people around you. You help your neighbours, and they help you.

I was outside mowing my lawn, and I even mowed my neighbour's lawn because he's always helping me with things around the property.

That's what community is supposed to be!

You Don't Need a Million-Dollar House to Be Happy!

Here's something else I want you guys to understand.

There are beautiful houses in this community selling for under $300,000!

I just watched another property sell nearby, and I'm looking around thinking about what that same amount of money would get you in Vancouver.

What would you get?

A tiny apartment? A massive mortgage? Thirty years of payments?

Meanwhile, I'm working on my own property, getting my driveway finished, improving the landscaping, replacing old outdoor furniture, and planning how I want everything to look.

I'm thinking about getting some smaller patio furniture sets for the balcony so we can sit outside, have lunch, enjoy the mountains, and spend time together as a family.

I'm also replacing some of the old outdoor lighting with LEDs. There's still plenty of work to do, but that's the beauty of owning your own place.

Every improvement I'm making is going into my family's home!

Would You Take a Pay Cut to Have a Better Life?

Now here's a question I really want you guys to think about.

What if you could leave the city, take a smaller-paying job, and still end up with a better standard of living?

Let's say you're working two or three jobs in Vancouver just to cover your housing costs.

What if you moved somewhere smaller, worked one job, and paid a fraction of what you're paying now?

Would you actually be further ahead?

You might earn less money, but if your mortgage, transportation, and everyday expenses are significantly lower, you could end up with more time, more freedom, and more money left over.

Of course, you've got to make sure there's employment in the community you're moving to. But don't automatically assume that smaller towns have nothing to offer.

There are jobs here! There are businesses here! There are people raising families and building lives!

The Big-City Conspiracy?

I'm going to keep talking about this because I think people need to hear it.

I'm not saying every city is bad or that everybody should pack up tomorrow.

But I am questioning this belief that success can only be found in a major metropolitan area.

Why are we teaching people that they need to be part of some enormous economic machine just to have a chance at a decent life?

What happened to owning a home, raising a family, knowing your neighbours, and having enough time to enjoy the things you've worked for?

My children love it here. My wife loves it here. And I absolutely love it here!

I've got Antonio beside me, we've got a huge amount of space, and we've got a community around us.

This is what I've been working toward my entire life!

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