Why live in Prince George?
Prince George is a central BC city, located roughly eight hours north of Vancouver. It is situated on the Fraser River and is known for its long industrial history. In particular, the forest industry has played a dominant role in the city’s economy. In fact, even today, it is still the largest employer in the area. Other major employers include local paper mills, chemical factories, saw mills, and an oil refinery. However, since the city’s industrial beginnings, it has evolved significantly. Now, there are employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors, not to mention all the family-friendly amenities and attractions that Prince George offers. What the locals love about Prince George is that it offers a low cost of living, a thriving economy, and plenty of access to the great outdoors. The housing market is affordable, allowing people of all income brackets to find a spacious home. This makes it an ideal place for families. The local school district, School District No. 57, is also known for its top-tier public elementary and high schools. Even better, Prince George is home to its very own university, the University of Northern British Columbia. Despite its remote location (it is roughly right hours from both Vancouver and Calgary), Via Rail has a train station here, connecting it with the rest of the country. There are also several coach bus services, like eBus, that can take residents directly from Prince George to Vancouver. Finally, if an outdoor adventure is what you’re after, you can find it in Prince George. The area is home to Paddlewheel Park, Moore’s Meadow Nature Park, Purden Ski Village, McMillan Creek Regional Park, West Lake Provincial Park, Cottonwood Island Nature Park, and Purden Lake Provincial Park, to name a few. What this translates to is endless opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing, cycling, swimming, boating and more. In essence, Prince George offers all the perks of living in the city with all the charm of living in a small city in BC’s interior.
Quality and diversity of education in Prince George
The Prince George School District, or BC School District No. 57, operates a range of schools in north central British Columbia, including in Prince George. The district runs a total of eight secondary schools and 30 elementary schools, including a mix of French immersion and Montessori options. There are also a number of private and Catholic institutions in the area. Even better, Prince George is home to its very own university, the University of Northern British Columbia. If you prefer to leave the city to attend post-secondary, you will find several options elsewhere in the BC INterior and the Lower Mainland, ranging from the University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus, Okanagan College and Thompson Rivers University to the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and Capilano University.
Most populous cities in Prince George
Some of the main neighbourhoods that make up Prince George include Bear Lake, Cranbrook Hills, Lakewood, Connaught, Highglen, Fraserview, Jensen, Birchwood, Edgewood Terrace, and Nechako Beach.
Quality of infrastructure for Prince George
The Prince George Transit System, also known as PG Transit, provides public transportation to the residents of Prince George, in partnership with the provincially-run BC Transit. If you’re looking to travel outside of Prince George, there is a regional eBus route that runs between Prince George and Kamloops. Kamloops is home to a Via Rail station and also offers plenty of connections to Kelowna, which has an international airport and coach bus services to Vancouver. Prince George also has its own international airport, Prince George International Airport, which offers service to Vancouver, Calgary, Kelowna, Edmonton, and beyond. Medical care in Prince George is offered at a number of smaller clinics, as well as the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia.
Safety and security for Prince George
The Prince George detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is responsible for securing Prince George and the surrounding areas. Always call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Prince George property market
Prince George is considered to be one of the most affordable cities in all of British Columbia, and that translates to its real estate market. Property is generally much more affordable in Prince George than it is elsewhere in Canada. As a family-oriented community, the property market in Prince George is largely dominated by townhomes, bungalows, detached homes, and semi-detached homes.
Standard of living in Prince George
Prince George is a wonderful place to call home, in large part due to its low cost of living, natural beauty, and the many amenities that exist here, from a top-tier university to excellent healthcare facilities. If you’re an avid adventurer, you will also love being surrounded by the forests, mountains, and lakes that Prince George is known for.
Something wonderful about Prince George
As the biggest city in the densely forested region of northern British Columbia, it likely won’t come as a surprise that the area was once a leader in the lumber industry. The rise of the forest industry began with the development of the first railroad in Prince George, which dates back to the early 20th century. By 1919, the area was home to 18 sawmills, according to the Prince George Board of Trade. In 1966, a pulp mill opened, and within 15 years, Prince George had become the second largest city in British Columbia. Larger than Victoria at that time, it was the area’s logging industry that sparked its rapid rise in population.
