A Thriving Gift Economy in Vancouver

Vancouver is consistently rated near the top of many respectable lists for most desireable or highest quality of life cities in the world (ranked 5 th in 2014 by Mercer [1]). While its diverse culture is a standard offering in major Canadian cities, the awe inspiring nature at its doorstep is what sets it apart from the rest.
Meanwhile, Vancouver was also recently ranked the most expensive city to live in in Canada [2] and second in housing unaffordability in the world, after Hong Kong [3].
None of the above is a surprise to me. Everyday I realize how lucky I am to live here, and how I have to scratch by just to be able to survive in this city. Fortunately, I am not the only one who realizes this. Vancouver is made up of many people like me who, in the process of just getting by, create a thriving gift economy.