Why live in British Columbia?
British Columbia is one of the most sought-after places to live in the entire world. It has an ideal blend of everything - natural beauty, quality education and healthcare, a rich history, and tons of recreational activities to be enjoyed year-round.
Quality and diversity of education in British Columbia
British Columbia’s education system is consistently ranked among the highest in Canada, which is saying something considering Canada’s is also among the highest in the world. Across the province, you will find all sorts of private, public, and religious institutions spanning elementary school, middle school, and high school. Of course, British Columbia is also home to a wide range of internationally recognized universities and colleges. These include the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and Capilano University, all of which are located in the province’s largest city, Vancouver. In addition to these universities, you will find the University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, Thompson Rivers University, and more.
Most populous cities in British Columbia
The most populous cities in Vancouver are Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford, White Rock, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Chilliwack, Prince George, and Vernon.
Quality of infrastructure for British Columbia
British Columbia has an impressive infrastructure system that includes a range of domestic and international transportation options, as well as an extensive network of hospitals and healthcare facilities. For example, the province is home to four international airports Vancouver International Airport, Abbotsford International Airport, Kelowna International Airport, and Victoria International Airport. However, you will also find several regional airports. The province is also served by Via Rail, which offers passenger train services to Prince George, Kamloops, Prince Rupert, and Vancouver. Meanwhile, Vancouver has a high-regarded public transit system, TransLink, featuring a mix of buses and SkyTrains. In terms of healthcare, many of the leading hospitals can be found in British Columbia, like Richmond Hospital, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, Mission Memorial Hospital, and more.
Safety and security for British Columbia
A range of emergency services are available to British Columbia residents, including calling 9-1-1. Depending on what part of the province you live in, it will be secured by various law enforcement agencies, ranging from the RCMP to the Victoria Police Department to the Vancouver Police Department. That said, rates of crime are fairly low throughout the province. In fact, certain areas like Pemberton, Port Moody, Castlegar, and more have some of the lowest crime rates in Canada.
British Columbia property market
There’s no hiding the fact that British Columbia has one of the most in-demand property markets in the world, especially the City of Vancouver. This means that buying a home in British Columbia will likely be a wise investment. The types of homes that buyers have access to depend on which part of the province you are living in. Major cities like Vancouver, Victoria, or Kelowna will have plenty of options, ranging from luxury condominiums and apartments to townhomes, single-family homes, and more. Meanwhile, housing options in smaller cities and towns in the province may lean more toward bungalows, semi-detached homes, and detached homes. There are also lots of summer home and cottage options throughout the province, especially in the Okanagan Valley, on Vancouver Island, and along the coast.
Standard of living in British Columbia
The standard of living in British Columbia is world-renowned. In fact, Vancouver recently received an incredibly high score on The Global Liveability Index 2023’s Liveability Report. The city ranked fifth globally, with near-perfect scores across the board. Categories included stability, healthcare, culture & environment, and education. As you can see, British Columbia is a wonderful place to call home, and not just within Canada but outside of Canada too.
Something wonderful about British Columbia
British Columbia is known for its incredible wildlife. The province is home to deer, elk, grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, caribou, moose, marmots, beavers, wolves, otters, cougars, eagles, coyotes, herons, orca whales, bighorn sheep, and much more. This makes it a wonderful place to live if you’re looking to do some wildlife-spotting. A few fun facts about BC’s wildlife include the fact that it has the largest lynx population in North America, wolves are double to triple the size of coyotes, and black bears can be brown or black in colour (and grizzlies can also be black).
