Why live in Surrey?
Surrey offers a mix of cultural diversity, affordability, and coastal beauty that is unique in Metro Vancouver. Roughly 30 minutes by car from downtown Vancouver, the city is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the area. If you don’t want to travel by car, Surrey is well served by public transit, featuring multiple SkyTrain and bus services through TransLink. Surrey also boasts its own city centre filled with economic opportunities, not to mention easy access to nature with lots of green space and beaches, like Crescent Beach in South Surrey. Meanwhile, the city has top-notch infrastructure and urban amenities and attractions, like the Museum of Surrey, as well as several art galleries, theatres, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and clubs. Surrey also has a reputation for being one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in all of Canada, with immigrants from all over Europe and Asia. This makes it one of the most welcoming communities in Metro Vancouver. Even more, Surrey is one of the last few parts of Vancouver with affordable housing options, with the average cost of a home here falling below that in other metropolitan areas in Canada and neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Property types available in Surrey range from single-family homes and condos to townhouses, bungalows, and more, meaning there is something for all age groups. Whether you’re a student who recently started school at nearby Simon Fraser University, a young family, or a retiree, Surrey will give you access to everything you could possibly need. Plus, as with the rest of the Lower Mainland, Surrey offers residents a mild, coastal climate, which translates to year-round activities, like golfing, hiking, cycling, kayaking, and more. So if you want somewhere with a lower cost of living that is filled with family-friend amenities and is only a stone’s throw away from downtown Vancouver, Surrey might just be for you.
Quality and diversity of education in Surrey
The Surrey School District, or BC School District No. 36, operates public elementary and secondary schools throughout Surrey, as well as the neighbouring communities of White Rock and Barnston Island. It is the largest school district in the entire province of BC, responsible for educating over 77,000 students yearly. When it comes to post-secondary options, Surrey residents are in close proximity to the many highly-rated universities and colleges that Vancouver has to offer, like the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Capilano University, Vancouver Film School, the Art Institute of Vancouver, and the Emily Carr University of Art + Design.
Most populous cities in Surrey
Some of Surrey’s most populous neighbourhoods include Cloverdale, South Surrey, Newton, Guildford, Bridgeview, Fraser Heights, Fleetwood, Morgan Creek, Ocean Park, South Westminster, South Newton, Anniedale, and Sunnyside.
Quality of infrastructure for Surrey
Surrey is well-served by the Metro Vancouver Area’s TransLink public transit system. Several bus routes make their way to and within Surrey. The area is also home to its own SkyTrain station and is serviced by the Expo Line. Meanwhile, Surrey borders the city of Richmond, which is home to Vancouver International Airport, the province’s largest airport. Downtown Vancouver can also be accessed by car via the Fraser Highway or Trans Canada Highway, both of which run through Surrey. Lastly, Surrey has a number of medical facilities, including Surrey Memorial Hospital.
Safety and security for Surrey
The Surrey Police Department (SPD) is the law enforcement agency that ensures the safety of Surrey. Crime rates in Surrey are higher than in other parts of the Metro Vancouver Area. However, there are still plenty of safe neighbourhoods, like Guildford, Morgan Creek, Newton, Coverdale, Fleetwood, and more. Further, emergency services can always be reached at 9-1-1.
Surrey property market
Surrey is known for being more affordable than many other parts of the Metro Vancouver Area, which makes it a popular choice. Plus, due to its ample size, buyers will find a wide range of neighbourhoods, some quieter and more residential and others more urban. This mix has spurred a variety of properties in Surrey, giving buyers the chance to invest in everything from new condos and apartments to bungalows, semi-detached homes, detached homes, and townhouses.
Standard of living in Surrey
The standard of living in Surrey is high, which is aided by the fact that the cost of living is below the average for the Metro Vancouver Area. Surrey is welcoming to newcomers, has its own thriving economic centre, and is chock-full of picturesque beaches, forests, and parks. Therefore, it likely won’t come as a surprise that the city is considered one of the most liveable in the world. That's right, The Global Liveability Index 2023’s Liveability Report named Vancouver, of which Surrey is a part, as the fifth most liveable city on the planet.
Something wonderful about Surrey
Diversity truly is one of Surrey’s strengths. The Metro Vancouver city has a reputation for being extremely welcoming to newcomers. In fact, it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in all of Canada. Statistics show that Surrey is home to people from over 80 different countries and religions. More than 40% of Surrey’s population speaks a language other than English at home, and this multiculturalism is celebrated all over the city.
