Can wellbeing be affordable?
Millennials in Canada’s most expensive cities list 6 actions that make them feel healthy, happy and connected.
Neighbourhood and shared housing design choices can have big impacts on happiness. Research shows we feel more connected when our apartments or condos have shared common spaces, like community kitchens or childcare facilities, than when we only have access to individual units. And we feel healthier and more connected when our neighbourhoods offer us opportunities to walk, shop and socialize.
At Happy City, we advocate for systemic change: we believe the onus to create happier, healthier, socially connected places is on cities and developers themselves. And we’re seeing city builders start to make these changes around the world.
But many young people aren’t waiting on them. They’re using the tools available to them to create systems of wellbeing in the spaces they’re already living in.
I talked to eight millennials who live in Canada’s most expensive cities about the opportunities they feel they have to creatively build happier, healthier homes and neighbourhoods, right where they are. Here’s what they told me:
1. Art offers affordable self-care.
“Going to the Art Gallery of Ontario or any art gallery in the city never fails to ground me when I feel like I need self-care.
I find the white walls, the expansive spaces and of course, the incredible art to be simultaneously calming and engaging.
The AGO now has an affordable $35 annual pass and many other Toronto galleries are free (not to mention the street art), so appreciating art is pretty accessible these days.”
— Anita, 32, Toronto
2. Tool libraries expand access to useful things in the neighbourhood.
“I joined the tool library in Toronto 1.5 years ago. I signed up primarily to access various tools that I didn’t want to purchase or store and didn’t otherwise have easy access to.
Since joining, I have continued to borrow tools on a regular basis. I think one of the things I appreciate with the tool library, though, is that you can engage in a number of different ways and in varying capacities. There isn’t necessarily a lot of social interaction in just renting tools and it can be fairly transactional. However, if you’re involved in projects on community nights, take classes, or volunteer, there are more opportunities to interact with others and build more of a community.” — Steve, 35, Toronto
3. Shared spaces provide more than financial benefits — they are intentional communities of support.
“Four years ago the members of our collective house began meeting once a month, as a way to strategize and create collective best practices for living together. During our meetings we have created systems to share rent/utilities, chores, groceries, and cooking. Meetings have also provided space to resolve conflicts that impact the community. Collectively we have been able to move houses twice, defend an unjust eviction, and support a vibrant social community.” — George, 27, Vancouver
“We have a house dinner once a week which is great, but my favourite part about home is the impromptu hangs on the porch with my housemates. We live in separate suites, but intentionally pay attention to and care for each other.
One simple rad habit is to just text the house when one of us is chilling on a porch, or has extra food or whatever, to invite the other [residents of the house] to join. The weekly dinners are a great time to hang out and we always make a point to go around the table and ask each other highs and lows from the week. People are really honest and it’s a super valuable way to build community among ourselves. We also make a point to check in on any house issues each week.” — Zoë, 33, Vancouver
4. Meaningful relationships with landlords help us get the things we need.
“I always try to get to know my landlord. Some property managers and landlords are absentee. Some are creeps. These aren’t the property managers or landlords to get to know. But if you’ve got a decent one, take the time to say hello.
Especially in larger buildings, these folks tend to meet with tenants who are experiencing problems with their unit. Meetings in these situations are often… less than positive. But if you treat them like human beings, they’ll probably do the same to you. Going beyond a transactional relationship makes for happier encounters on a regular basis. And when the fridge stops working or the sink backs up, a good relationship can mean the difference between a swift long-term solution and a slow stop-gap measure.
If your landlord or property manager is a creep or absentee, get to know your fellow tenants. This can be very helpful when lobbying for improvements, or in more challenging circumstances, organizing a tenants strike.” — Mitchell, 34, Vancouver
5. Active ways of moving around the neighbourhood and city feel good for health, friendships and the environment.
“Exercise and eating fresh, home-cooked food are both things that make me feel good. I like that I live in a neighbourhood where locally farmed food is available at independent stores within walking distance. Having relationships with local shopkeepers and running into neighbours and friends on the streets is what makes my neighbourhood feel like home, and I feel happy to be able to support local businesses while also knowing where the food I eat comes from.” — Annick, 27, Toronto
“One thing that makes me feel happy, healthy and connected is bike commuting with neighbours. I live right by a number of city bike lanes and it feels good to know I can get around safely on designated bike paths. When friends join me along the route, I feel connected to a community that values being active and making environmentally sound choices.” — Francesca, 32, Vancouver
6. Personal touches allow us to express ourselves in our spaces and connect with neighbours.
“Porches are important transition elements between public and private realms. They allow residents to socialize informally and connect with neighbours. As a resident of a high-rise building, I don’t have access to my own porch, but I do have a balcony. I feel it connects me to the street in the way porches do. It also gives me an opportunity to express myself through greenery and balcony decorations.
A few years ago I planted my balcony with several handrail planters with flowers and suspended a couple of baskets from the ceiling. I also added a couple of paper lanterns to the perimeter. For some time my balcony was the only funky balcony on our side of the building. However, a month or so later, I noticed that a neighbour had also decorated her balcony. Once I ran into her in the elevator and discovered that my balcony served as inspiration for her to decorate her own. This friendly competition made our buildings look more inviting and lead me to get to know my neighbour a bit better.” — Ekaterina, 30, Vancouver
