We think you'll love living in British Columbia
If you think British Columbia is an especially nice place to visit, have you ever considered living here?
B.C. offers the ultimate in resort living, whether its oceanfront, city, farm, lakeside, island, mountain, small town, golf course, or even the desert life you seek. It can make your relocation dreams come true. The province quite possibly has the most eclectic terrain in all of Canada. Where else would you find a desert region where cacti bloom within a few hours drive of the ocean where orcas roam?
Five reasons to consider BC Living
01.
The scenery.
Just about every part of the province has something breathtaking and indescribable to offer. As you turn each corner you’re bound to come across snowcapped peaks or deep crevasses and valleys; stunning views over water or long expanses of vineyard; majestic old growth forests or twinkling cityscapes. Almost every view is better than the last. Pack your camera.
02.
The water.
B.C. has the Pacific Ocean and countless interior rivers, lakes and creeks. There’s endless choice for the hardcore fishing enthusiasts, and watersports and boating junkies, as well as for individuals and families who merely want to play in the surf or sunbath on the beach.
03.
The wildlife.
B.C. is the most biologically diverse province and home to an eclectic mix of wildlife species including several that are rare or unique to British Columbia, such as the white Kermode or “Spirit” bear and the burrowing owl. Native animals include big horn sheep, bison, caribou, killer whale, grizzly bear, bobcat, cougar, bald eagle, sea otter, peregrine falcon and sea lion, just to name a few.
04.
The weather.
B.C has the longest frost-free periods in Canada. It offers the “West Coast Special” being the only province where you can literally ski and golf on the same day
05.
The wine.
Enough said.
Photo Credits: Wines of British Columbia; Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe/Albert Normandin; Tourism Vancouver Island/Ben Giesbrecht; Tammy Tomiye.
Geography.
British Columbia is the most western province in Canada. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Rocky Mountains and Alberta on the east. Southern B.C. shares a border with the United States. Northern BC borders the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. The province has very diverse geography and is the most mountainous province in Canada. Landscapes include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, forests, lakes, mountains, inland deserts and grassy plains.
Climate.
B.C. is a large province, and its climate varies significantly from one region to another. For example, we have some of the wettest climates in Canada as well as some of the driest. Some regions are very mild and others have more extreme ranges in temperature. B.C.’s climate is influenced by the Pacific Ocean and our mountain ranges. Areas along the south coast have a mild climate year-round. Summers on the coast are warm, with daytime temperatures around 20°C. B.C.’s coastal regions have the mildest winters in all of Canada, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing. The interior and central regions of the province have hotter summers, with temperatures in July often reaching 30°C or more. Winters are colder and snowier than in coastal regions. In the north, winters are long and cold with lots of snow, and summers are short. Along the north coast, there is a lot of rain in the spring, summer and fall, and the winters are cold. Source: Province of British Columbia
British Columbia Population Stats (2025)
Population Total: 5,697,536
Sources: Statistics Canada; Demographic Analysis Section, BC Stats; Ministry of Citizens’ Services; Government of British Columbia
Port Alberni | 19,671 |
Tofino | 2,772 |
Ucluelet | 2,452 |
Unincorporated Areas | 11,408 |
Burns Lake | 2,007 |
Fort St. James | 1,542 |
Fraser Lake | 942 |
Granisle | 357 |
Houston | 3,114 |
Smithers | 5,627 |
Telkwa | 1,544 |
Vanderhoof | 4,545 |
Unincorporated Areas | 19,790 |
Central Saanich | 18,184 |
Colwood | 18,184 |
Esquimalt | 19,512 |
Highlands | 2,753 |
Langford | 59,664 |
Metchosin | 5,207 |
North Saanich | 12,986 |
Oak Bay | 18,626 |
Saanich | 126,011 |
Sidney | 13,445 |
Sooke | 17,248 |
Victoria | 103,888 |
View Royal | 12,795 |
Unincorporated Areas | 30,969 |
One Hundred Mile House | 2,030 |
Quesnel | 10,253 |
Wells | 231 |
Williams Lake | 11,462 |
Unincorporated Areas | 43,026 |
Castlegar | 9,465 |
Creston | 5,976 |
Kaslo | 1,141 |
Nakusp | 1,740 |
Nelson | 12,126 |
New Denver | 527 |
Salmo | 1,310 |
Silverton | 196 |
Slocan | 488 |
Unincorporated Areas | 35,624 |
Kelowna | 167,654 |
Lake Country | 17,637 |
Peachland | 6,302 |
West Kelowna | 40,274 |
Unincorporated Areas | 22,768 |
Golden | 4,433 |
Revelstoke | 9,464 |
Salmon Arm | 20,891 |
Sicamous | 2,854 |
Unincorporated Areas | 25,153 |
Comox | 15,884 |
Courtenay | 32,869 |
Cumberland | 4,974 |
Unincorporated Areas | 26,378 |
Duncan | 5,745 |
Ladysmith | 9,926 |
Lake Cowichan | 3,757 |
North Cowichan | 34,525 |
Unincorporated Areas | 41,869 |
Canal Flats | 889 |
Cranbrook | 22,703 |
Elkford | 3,030 |
Fernie | 7,086 |
Invermere | 4,305 |
Kimberley | 9,037 |
Radium Hot Springs | 1,489 |
Sparwood | 4,486 |
Unincorporated Areas | 19,855 |
Mackenzie | 3,442 |
McBride | 646 |
Prince George | 85,944 |
Valemount | 1,082 |
Unincorporated Areas | 16,525 |
Abbotsford | 175,358 |
Chilliwack | 105,520 |
Harrison Hot Springs | 2,148 |
Hope | 7,183 |
Kent | 7,093 |
Mission | 47,280 |
Unincorporated Areas | 24,629 |
Anmore | 2,508 |
Belcarra | 702 |
Bowen Island | 4,501 |
Burnaby | 299,682 |
Coquitlam | 173,599 |
Delta | 124,670 |
Langley, City of | 35,444 |
Langley, District Municipality | 163,885 |
Lions Bay | 1,375 |
Maple Ridge | 105,925 |
New Westminster | 92,124 |
North Vancouver, City of | 66,624 |
North Vancouver, District Municipality | 97,845 |
Pitt Meadows | 20,892 |
Port Coquitlam | 67,724 |
Port Moody | 38,285 |
Richmond | 239,584 |
Surrey | 703,531 |
Vancouver | 740,454 |
West Vancouver | 47,929 |
White Rock | 25,057 |
Unincorporated Areas | 34,683 |
Hazelton | 321 |
Kitimat | 10,019 |
New Hazelton | 666 |
Stewart | 515 |
Terrace | 13,648 |
Unincorporated Areas | 17,254 |
Fruitvale | 2,068 |
Grand Forks | 4,308 |
Greenwood | 730 |
Midway | 671 |
Montrose | 1,072 |
Rossland | 4,355 |
Trail | 8,539 |
Warfield | 1,729 |
Unincorporated Areas | 12,037 |
Alert Bay | 465 |
Port Alice | 789 |
Port Hardy | 4,201 |
Port McNeill | 2,402 |
Unincorporated Areas | 3,492 |
Lantzville | 4,276 |
Nanaimo | 111,845 |
Parksville | 15,371 |
Qualicum Beach | 9,640 |
Unincorporated Areas | 46,530 |
Daajing Giids Masset | 999 914 |
Port Clements | 352 |
Port Edward | 442 |
Prince Rupert | 12,903 |
Unincorporated Areas | 3,523 |
Armstrong | 5,643 |
Coldstream | 11,380 |
Enderby | 3,292 |
Lumby | 2,257 |
Spallumcheen | 5,843 |
Vernon | 49,527 |
Unincorporated Areas | 22,200 |
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality | 4,144 |
Unincorporated Areas | 553 |
Keremeos | 1,779 |
Oliver | 5,262 |
Osoyoos | 5,724 |
Penticton | 39,068 |
Princeton | 3,050 |
Summerland | 12,343 |
Unincorporated Areas | 27,101 |
Chetwynd | 2,484 |
Dawson Creek | 13,635 |
Fort St. John | 24,383 |
Hudson’s Hope | 1,019 |
Pouce Coupe | 813 |
Taylor | 1,415 |
Tumbler Ridge | 2,663 |
Unincorporated Areas | 21,445 |
Powell River | 14,947 |
shíshálh Nation Gov Dist (Part-qathet) | 21 |
Unincorporated Areas | 8,071 |
Lillooet | 2,065 |
Pemberton | 3,620 |
Squamish | 28,578 |
Whistler | 15,090 |
Unincorporated Areas | 7,235 |
Campbell River | 38,300 |
Gold River | 1,339 |
Sayward | 329 |
Tahsis | 418 |
Zeballos | 136 |
Unincorporated Areas | 11,331 |
Gibsons | 5,090 | |
Sechelt District Municipality | 11,558 | |
Sechelt Ind Gov Dist (Part-Sunshine Coast) | 806 | |
Unincorporated Areas | 17,135 |
Ashcroft | 1,744 |
Barriere | 1,913 |
Cache Creek | 1,053 |
Chase | 2,591 |
Clearwater | 2,500 |
Clinton | 707 |
Kamloops | 108,793 |
Logan Lake | 2,337 |
Lytton | 228 |
Merritt | 7,190 |
Sun Peaks Mountain | 1,546 |
Unincorporated Areas | 27,457 |
