What makes a city a place that people want to be? Is is the amount of greenspace? Is it the property values? Maybe the amount of security in the form of local police forces? Is it location, or infrastructure, or the reputation of the education system?
No doubt each of these things has a huge impact on someone's decision of where to live or buy a home. And, in the long run, it's certainly part of what makes someone stay.
But we'd argue that the biggest factor that makes someone happy (or, desperate to leave) is people - neighbours, city staff, volunteers in community organizations, fellow parents in the school yard, and everyone else whose path is crossed in an average month.
The connections that an individual creates in his or her community are truly the ties that bind - in a good way, of course.
When you feel connected to your fellow residents, you become part of something bigger than yourself and that is a rewarding feeling. Humans have been banding together for survival and craving companionship since the dawn of time, and 21st century humans are no different despite our modern trappings.
In a technological era like ours, it can be challenging to make these reallife connections, however.
And that's why we'd encourage you to get out and enjoy what your city has to offer this month - there is no better way to meet your neighbours than to have fun alongside one another at a local festival; no better way to develop an understanding of the local arts and culture scene than taking in a local exhibition; no better way to understand how the school district works than volunteering with other parents for a fun event.
So jump right in, and start enjoying Burnaby. With Blues Fest right around the corner (see page 3) and plenty of fun-in-the-sun community events coming up, there's something for everyone.
Once you become a part of things, it's hard not to feel right at home.
