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Why 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.

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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

Population Stats (2021)

British Columbia  5,214,805

Sources: Statistics Canada; Demographic Analysis Section, BC Stats; Ministry of Citizens’ Services; Government of British Columbia

     Port Alberni

19,101

     Tofino

2,618

     Ucluelet

2,055

     Unincorporated Areas

10,470

     Burns Lake

1,880

     Fort St. James

1,930

     Fraser Lake

959

     Granisle

311

     Houston

3,273

     Smithers

5,697

     Telkwa

1,502

     Vanderhoof

4,703

     Unincorporated Areas

19,559

     Central Saanich

18,522

     Colwood

19,693

     Esquimalt

18,764

     Highlands

2,582

     Langford

47,313

     Metchosin

5,186

     North Saanich

12,500

     Oak Bay

18,930

     Saanich

124,639

     Sidney

12,279

     Sooke

15,539

     Victoria

94,890

     View Royal

12,034

     Unincorporated Areas

29,191

     One Hundred Mile House

2,016

     Quesnel

10,122

     Wells

231

     Williams Lake

11,505

     Unincorporated Areas

41,674

     Castlegar

8,570

     Creston

5,620

     Kaslo

1,039

     Nakusp

1,687

     Nelson

11,733

     New Denver

504

     Salmo

1,327

     Silverton

208

     Slocan

311

     Unincorporated Areas

33,465

     Kelowna

149,687

     Lake Country

16,238

     Peachland

6,043

     West Kelowna

38,311

     Unincorporated Areas

19,122

     Golden

4,185

     Revelstoke

8,429

     Salmon Arm

19,825

     Sicamous

2,788

     Unincorporated Areas

22,340

     Comox

15,211

     Courtenay

28,902

     Cumberland

4,688

     Unincorporated Areas

25,926

     Duncan

5,121

     Ladysmith

9,213

     Lake Cowichan

3,600

     North Cowichan

32,850

     Unincorporated Areas

41,129

     Canal Flats

742

     Cranbrook

21,635

     Elkford

2,741

     Fernie

5,739

     Invermere

3,809

     Kimberley

8,308

     Radium Hot Springs

879

     Sparwood

4,121

     Unincorporated Areas

18,720

     Mackenzie

3,692

     McBride

673

     Prince George

82,326

     Valemount

1,111

     Unincorporated Areas

16,537

     Abbotsford

165,070

     Chilliwack

95,798

     Harrison Hot Springs

1,663

     Hope

6,767

     Kent

6,635

     Mission

43,270

     Unincorporated Areas

20,800

     Anmore

2,632

     Belcarra

678

     Bowen Island

4,222

     Burnaby

260,918

     Coquitlam

154,381

     Delta

113,695

     Langley, City of

28,957

     Langley, District Municipality

137,399

     Lions Bay

1,338

     Maple Ridge

94,742

     New Westminster

82,866

     North Vancouver, City of

59,576

     North Vancouver, District Municipality

91,790

     Pitt Meadows

20,112

     Port Coquitlam

63,917

     Port Moody

35,951

     Richmond

216,280

     Surrey

614,646

     Vancouver

693,235

     West Vancouver

45,503

     White Rock

21,522

     Unincorporated Areas

28,790

     Hazelton

335

     Kitimat

8,564

     New Hazelton

622

     Stewart

432

     Terrace

13,125

     Unincorporated Areas

17,345

     Fruitvale

2,033

     Grand Forks

4,264

     Greenwood

695

     Midway

681

     Montrose

1,052

     Rossland

4,194

     Trail

8,168

     Warfield

1,793

     Unincorporated Areas

10,770

     Alert Bay

434

     Port Alice

707

     Port Hardy

4,351

     Port McNeill

2,441

     Unincorporated Areas

3,751

     Lantzville

3,874

     Nanaimo

101,987

     Parksville

13,871

     Qualicum Beach

9,387

     Unincorporated Areas

44,602

     Armstrong

5,529

     Coldstream

11,750

     Enderby

3,189

     Lumby

2,042

     Spallumcheen

5,490

     Vernon

44,916

     Unincorporated Areas

20,509

     Northern Rockies Regional Municipality

4,365

     Unincorporated Areas

561

     Keremeos

1,820

     Oliver

5,591

     Osoyoos

5,518

     Penticton

36,362

     Princeton

3,280

     Summerland

12,877

     Unincorporated Areas

25,764

     Chetwynd

2,669

     Dawson Creek

13,087

     Fort St. John

22,160

     Hudson’s Hope

1,069

     Pouce Coupe

839

     Taylor

1,566

     Tumbler Ridge

2,273

     Unincorporated Areas

23,820

     Powell River

14,024

     Sechelt Ind Gov Dist (Part-Powell River)

21

     Unincorporated Areas

7,396

     Masset

724

     Port Clements

275

     Port Edward

462

     Prince Rupert

13,177

     Queen Charlotte

931

     Unincorporated Areas

3,928

     Lillooet

2,181

     Pemberton

3,179

     Squamish

22,253

     Whistler

13,918

     Unincorporated Areas

6,792

     Campbell River

36,623

     Gold River

1,257

     Sayward

326

     Tahsis

296

     Zeballos

120

     Unincorporated Areas

11,544

     Gibsons

4,968

 

     Sechelt District Municipality

10,971

 

     Sechelt Ind Gov Dist (Part-Sunshine Coast)

709

 

     Unincorporated Areas

15,659

 

     Ashcroft

1,578

     Barriere

1,892

     Cache Creek

1,064

     Chase

2,512

     Clearwater

2,548

     Clinton

597

     Kamloops

101,603

     Logan Lake

2,272

     Lytton

276

     Merritt

7,606

     Sun Peaks Mountain

964

     Unincorporated Areas

25,377

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