Western Canada’s British Columbia (BC) province is home to several wonderful urban areas.
You’ve come to the correct place if you’re seeking for the finest places to live in British Columbia.
From lively metropolis to serene suburbs, our list features some of the most desired areas in the province.
We have something for everyone, whether you’re seeking for a property with lots of amenities or wish to settle down in a charming village.
So continue reading to see where in British Columbia is best to call home!
Canada’s British Columbia is among the best places in North America to live. There are many diverse settings and experiences there that are worth exploring.
The general top areas in British Columbia to reside in are:
1. Vancouver
The top city in British Columbia to reside in Vancouver. It is a stunning city in a breathtaking location. It features some of the most beautiful scenery and views in all of Canada.
Vancouver is a great place to live if you want to try something new every day because it has so many cultural and historical attractions.
In BC, Vancouver is the most populated city. With mountains to the north and the Fraser River to the south, it is in a spectacular location on the Pacific Ocean.
Vancouver also benefits from the stunning scenery that can be seen everywhere. This city provides everything, from family-friendly natural parks to breathtakingly beautiful buildings and museums.
Vancouver has a bustling downtown and plenty of amenities. Excellent dining establishments, shopping, and parks are all included.
Vancouver is the perfect city for those who prefer being outside because of its healthy and active population.
2. Burnaby
The city of Burnaby is the third most populous in British Columbia. Approximately 160,000 individuals call it home.
Numerous parks and the renowned Simon Fraser University are located in Burnaby (SFU). The Metropolis at Metrotown, Lougheed Mall, Lower Lonsdale Quay, Hastings Street East, and Broadway Avenue in Downtown Vancouver are just a few of the many shopping areas that it boasts.
The metro Vancouver suburb of Burnaby has some great neighborhoods.
In Burnaby, the top three neighborhoods are:
Burnaby Heights,
Government Road, and
Willingdon Heights
These neighborhoods offer top-notch features that the majority of other places do not, such as parks or other green spaces close to the neighborhood.
3. Victoria
While Vancouver Island has many beautiful spots to explore, Victoria, British Columbia, is without a doubt the ideal place to call home.
The population of Victoria, a cosmopolitan city in British Columbia (BC), Canada, is just over 100,000. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is one of the best locations to live in Canada since it is a bustling city with a variety of amenities and a distinctive appearance.
Its shoreline is lined with historical structures, and its residents enjoy a high standard of living. Victoria has lots to offer everyone, from first-rate dining and shopping to prestigious institutions and schools.
It is a desirable location since it has temperate weather and less rain than Vancouver. Additionally, there are additional chances for outdoor leisure in the Victoria area, including golf courses, hiking trails, and beaches.
Being one of Canada’s oldest communities on Canadian territory, the Victoria area has a rich culture and a long history that draws visitors.
On Vancouver Island, Victoria consistently rates as one of the greatest cities to live.
Victoria is home to an international airport. With frequent ferry and aircraft links to Vancouver and Seattle, the city is also well-linked.
Victoria is the ideal place to call home, whether you’re seeking for a vibrant urban lifestyle or a serene nature setting.
4. Surrey
Surrey is the next top place to live in British Columbia. With a population of more than 500,000, it is the second-largest city in British Columbia. This city is home to a sizable population of Asian (particularly Indian) origin.
One of the nicest areas to live in Canada’s British Columbia is Surrey. You can relocate there if you wish to live somewhere with more opportunities because there are many new constructions sprouting up there.
Affordable housing is available in Surrey. Those who commute to downtown Vancouver for work can also easily reach Surrey. From Surrey City Centre Station to the downtown area, the Expo Line Skytrain travels in about 35 minutes.
Best Communities in Surrey, BC
Guildford
Cloverdale
Fleetwood
5. Nanaimo
With a population of 162,727, Nanaimo is a coastal city in British Columbia, Canada. It contains some amazing historic structures and natural places, and it serves as the entrance to Vancouver Island.
Because of the thriving resource-based industries, which include forestry and mining, Nanaimo’s economy has been rising.
Nanaimo is home to Vancouver Island University (VIU), a renowned college attended by both domestic and foreign students. One of British Columbia’s most picturesque cities, Nanaimo has some lovely neighborhoods.
In Nanaimo, the top three neighborhoods are:
Lower Lantzville,
Central Nanaimo and
Uplands.
To name just a few notable features of these multicultural communities, these are all fantastic neighborhoods with amenities like parks, schools, libraries, retail malls, and community centers.
Vancouver Island is the home of Nanaimo. Consequently, there are only a few options for transportation from Vancouver to Nanaimo (or any other island city): flying commercial airlines, taking a seaplane, or using BC Ferries (a vehicle and passenger ferry).
6. Kelowna
There are some fantastic locations to live in British Columbia. For instance, Kelowna has the greatest weather in all of Canada and offers an outdoor lifestyle with more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
In this province, Kelowna is a booming city. There are numerous things to do, including going to wineries, eating at restaurants that provide regional cuisine, hiking in one of the area’s many lovely parks, and engaging in outdoor sports with friends and family.
Due to its abundance of beaches, orchards, and vineyards, Kelowna is one of British Columbia’s best cities. Kelowna is also where Thompson Rivers University is situated.
The city also provides fantastic leisure opportunities, including golfing and hiking trails at Mount Boucherie or Lake Okanagan Resort Park Reserve.
7. Coquitlam
There are more than 139,000 people living in the Canadian city of Coquitlam in British Columbia. Many inhabitants take advantage of the area’s lovely natural surroundings to unwind and get away from the bustle of the big cities.
Coquitlam, located in British Columbia, is a stunning town with wonderful neighborhoods.
The city’s top three neighborhoods are:
Burke Mountain,
Westwood Plateau, and
North Coquitlam.
Each year, these localities’ local populations fluctuate between 6200 and 8100 persons.
Burke Mountain is ideal for skiing in the winter because of its average elevation of 270 meters above sea level. It is also conveniently located close to Vancouver so you can still enjoy its attractions without having to travel far.
Burke Mountain is a great choice for anyone who wants to start a family in a more peaceful neighborhood with access to lovely parks and trails and a short commute to Vancouver.
Westwood Plateau is another fantastic neighborhood because it is close to all of Vancouver’s attractions without being too far away or having a long commute, and because it is at an elevation of 250 meters, which makes it ideal for any outdoor activities you may want to engage in throughout the year.
Many families looking for an affordable home with proximity to nice parks and reputable schools call North Coquitlam home. They can experience the city’s culture and nightlife because they are so close.
Other Fantastic Places to Live In Include:
Cherry Creek: In all of British Columbia, the Cherry Creek region has some of the nicest real estate. At competitive costs, it provides townhomes, condominiums, and luxury homes. A wide variety of facilities are available for residents’ enjoyment, including top-notch golf courses, swimming pools, and parks. A number of sizable shopping centers are also located in the neighborhood.
Sunshine Coast: For those who enjoy the great outdoors, this area provides a variety of outdoor activities. There are mountains with hiking routes that provide breathtaking vistas and a variety of waterfalls, as well as oceanfront beaches where you may take in the best of nature.
8. Penticton
Penticton is a city located one hour south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Due to the abundance of amenities near the center of downtown, it is a booming area for locals.
There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and local retailers including Save on Foods and Walmart Supercentre that offer shopping options.
There are direct flights from Penticton’s airport to Victoria International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Seattle-Tacoma Airport (Sea-Tac).
British Columbia’s Penticton is known for its summertime entertainment. It offers some of the nicest areas to live in BC and has an amazing climate.
Skaha Beach is a popular beach attraction for both locals and visitors and was rated one of the “10 Best Beaches” by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.
It also features a remarkable selection of water activities that may be enjoyed by visitors on its broad beaches. Swimming, wind-supported surfing, jet skiing/wakeboarding instruction, and rentals are all offered close by at Skaha Lake Resort.
9. Richmond
There are many beautiful places to live in Richmond, a city in the Canadian province of British Columbia, and it has a fascinating past.
The city, which is a hub for foreign travelers, is located southwest of Vancouver. It is home to the second-busiest airport in Canada. (YVR, International Airport of Vancouver)
The city offers many chances for outdoor activities and has been formed by the beauty of its natural surroundings.
Additionally, it has a striking cultural environment that includes golf courses, parks, gardens, museums, and galleries.
There are several prestigious universities and hospitals in Richmond.
With access to Vancouver, Burnaby, and other parts of the Lower Mainland, Richmond is a convenient location. Major roads like Highway 99 and the Trans Canada Trail are close by.
It also offers a ton of recreational opportunities for locals who enjoy outdoor pursuits, including hiking and biking trails in natural parks, beaches on the Fraser River Delta Rainforest Reserve area, where eagles and salmon runs can be seen, fishing along the coastlines near Richmond Bridgeport Park, where you can catch crabs with your bare hands, and a variety of outdoor pursuits available in the city center.
In addition to being adjacent to fantastic cultural destinations like Stanley Park and The Chinatown District, Richmond features a first-rate public transportation system. It is simple to get into the city center because of the several Canadian Pacific Railway stations that are located there.
Richmond’s parks and green spaces include breathtaking natural scenery.
10. Whistler
Whistler is yet another city on our list of the best places to live in British Columbia.
Tourists from all over the world visit this year-round vacation town in the Canadian province of British Columbia. With some of the best skiing terrain in the nation, the Whistler mountain range is home to Canada’s most well-known ski resort.
Known throughout the world, Whistler is a popular vacation destination. The renowned ski resort Whistler Blackcomb is located there. For people who want to get away from nature, it also provides gorgeous landscapes.
Whistler has six big international events each year, so there are lots of entertaining things to do while you’re here.
It might be challenging for someone who wants to move but is unsure of where they want to go because Canada offers so many amazing areas to live in.
British Columbia has several fantastic spots for you to pick from if you’re searching for somewhere with a lot of outdoor activities, stunning scenery, and a welcoming community. Among them is Whistler!
For people who enjoy winter sports or who wish to ski down mountains with beautiful vistas overlooking pristine lakes and forests, Whistler is the ideal destination.
Canada’s 2010 Winter Olympics were held in Whistler.
Other honorable mentions:
Kamloops
Within a one-hour radius of Kamloops, a city in the British Columbia province of Canada, there are more than 100 stocked lakes and some stunning landscapes. It also offers lovely parks and a vibrant neighborhood, making it ideal for people who want to take in the outdoors and connect with friends, family, or coworkers.
The best thing about living in Kamloops is that there are so many outdoor activities available, like mountain biking and hiking. All through the year, bighorn sheep can be seen wandering the streets in their distinctive white coats.
Within a one-hour radius of Kamloops, a city in the British Columbia province of Canada, there are more than 100 stocked lakes and some stunning landscapes. Additionally, it offers everything from camping areas to sport fishing spots, which can be found across its natural landscapes just outside Kamloops City limits. It also boasts lovely parks and an energetic community. Due to the abundance of activities and locations to discover, it is one of the greatest places to live in British Columbia.
Along with skiing, snowboarding, golfing, and hiking, fishing is one of the most popular activities in this region. However, you can also find other well-liked attractions nearby, such as hot springs or hiking through the wilderness.
Nelson
The population of Nelson, a tiny town in the province of British Columbia, is around 11,000 people. Being among the best places to live, it is well known. This is because of its diversity, proximity to the outdoors, and natural beauty.
With its surrounding forests and lakes, it boasts a lot of natural beauty. Nelson is one of the best locations to live in British Columbia because it provides a wide variety of leisure activities and fantastic cultural events all year long.
Nelson has been named the finest location to live in Canada by MoneySense magazine because of the pleasant and inviting locals.
Vernon
Vernon is the last location we rank as the finest in British Columbia. With lots of economic options, it is a family-friendly city that is also renowned for its natural beauty and welcoming residents.
Townhouses, condominiums, flats, and semi-detached homes are just a few of the housing options in Vernon that are available at reasonable prices.
Vernon is renowned as a family vacation spot all year round. It’s the ideal spot to reside because of a variety of activities. Top-notch schools, amiable residents, beautiful scenery, and a wealth of outdoor recreation possibilities may all be found in Vernon.
Vernon is not only a lovely site, but it also offers a wide variety of boating opportunities.
This is the ideal location for anyone who enjoys being outside and wants a short commute.
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