If you’re searching for the best places to live in British Columbia, Canada, you’ve come to the right place!
Defined by its pacific coastline and mountain ranges, British Columbia is the Western-most province in Canada. The province houses over 5.071 million people. British Columbia (BC) is Canada’s most-populous province whose economy is built on diverse sources.
The cost of living in BC is generally considered high, though the average income is also high. The established minimum wage is $12.65.
Best places to live in British Columbia in 2022
- Fort St. John, BC
- Whistler, BC
- Squamish, BC
- Delta, BC
- North Vancouver, BC
- West Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BC
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Fort St. John, Bc
Fort St. John, BC is a city located in the north-eastern region of British Columbia, Canada. Also known as “The Energetic City”, Fort St. John is a city that has the second youngest population in British Columbia of 28,791 residents. The city is relatively calm and secure, with fewer traffic jams and long queues for services.
Fort St. John, is a beautiful city with a blend of both rural and urban structures, its economy thrives on the oil and gas industry. Residents are friendly and homely; they indulge in community activities like ice-skating and charity drive which are hosted yearly.
The unemployment rate in the province currently stands at 5%, while the average income is around $124,134.
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Whistler, Bc
Whistler, BC is Canada’s favorite tourist destination situated in the dazzling coast mountains of British Columbia a few hours north of Vancouver.
It is a resort town with over 11,814 people; the city receives over 1.5 million tourists yearly, who engage majorly in alpine skiing, mountain biking, snowboarding, and camping.
Residents have access to top-notch amenities, better health care, and education. There is one high school in Whistler, with two elementary schools. Life in Whistler is quite affordable with an average income of about $116,362 while unemployment rates stand at 4.3%.
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Squamish, Bc
Squamish, BC is a small city with 24,397 people situated beside the sea of the Sky Highway. It is also known as the “Adventure capital of Canada,” it is one of the best locations for outdoor activities.
The cost of living is very affordable in Squamish; it is now a place of abode for residents of Whistler and Vancouver who wants to escape a high cost of living.
Squamish is a safe and calm place to live in; it has a small-town aura, a flawless view, accommodating and friendly residents. During summer, residents indulge in fishing, boating, and mountain hiking.
Residents are provided with quality education and health services. There are five English public elementary schools in the city, with three private schools. Squamish economy thrives on majorly on Forestry and Tourism. The average income is around $108,238, while the unemployment rate is at $4.3%.
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Delta, Bc
Delta, BC is home to over 6,436,715 people, the city is located at the south of Richmond at the mouth of the Fraser River. There are three district communities in Delta. It is a quiet and serene residential city enclosed by nature. Delta is a preferred location for people who work in the city due to its proximity to Vancouver.
Delta is a very safe place to stay with its crime rate beneath the national average. The city enjoys a calm climate with fairly cold winter and warm summers.
There are many public schools in Delta; they operate on Anglophone public schools in the city. There are several good road networks and highways that link delta to the rest of the country.
Also, there is a metro bus system that provides transportation within the city. The average income is around $114,588, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%.
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North Vancouver, Bc
North Vancouver, BC is a family-friendly area with an oceanic climate. It is a part of Metro Vancouver with 152,621 residents. North Vancouver is the second richest district with an affluent community that houses the upper-middle class and high-class families.
Life in North Vancouver is easy and calm; there are several road networks available to residents to prevent traffic jams.
Residents have access to quality education and healthcare services; in fact, it is one of the best in the country. The public schools in the district are run by the North Vancouver school district which operates 8 high schools and 30 elementary schools shared by the city and the District of North Vancouver.
Housing is relatively affordable with an average bedroom apartment ranging from $1900 to $3000 monthly, while a two-bedroom apartment ranges from $2500-$3500 monthly. North Vancouver is considered t be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities to live in Canada.
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West Vancouver, Bc
West Vancouver is a residential community with 40,992 people who are either retired, work at home or take a short commute to downtown Vancouver. It is the wealthiest district in the province with the lowest crime rate for any urban center.
No traffic jams, quality healthcare and education, and a tranquil environment. West Vancouver has the highest average income per household, yet it has no manufacturing industry by law.
West Vancouver is quite an expensive place to own a house, only a small percentage of residents can afford to own a property within the district. The average income is around $209,629, which triple’s the nation’s average.
West Vancouver is prominent for its parks like the Cypress Provincial Park, which offers a picturesque view of Howe Sound and the Metro Vancouver area. West Vancouver has the most advanced technology and facilities in its 17 schools, which includes 14 elementary and 3 high schools.
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Vancouver, Bc
Vancouver, BC is the most populous city in the province, with over 2,581,000 residents. It is a coastal seaport city situated in the lower mainland region of British Columbia. It is prominent as an urban center enclosed by nature, thus making tourism its second-largest industry.
Vancouver is a major port for the export of Canadian goods to the U.S West Coast and Asia.
Globally, Vancouver is listed among the most expensive cities to live in, yet it is livable. There are several job opportunities available to residents, as a modern urban city, Vancouver has a modern transport structure like highways and rails.