Located on the western edge of Canada, British Columbia is a beautiful province with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Rocky Mountains on the other. The vast Yukon Territory is to the north. It's the fourth largest province in terms of industry, with an economy based on forestry, mining, cinematography, tourism, and maritime trade. The vast area includes many outdoor designations, including seven National Parks. The 5.2 million residents enjoy metropolitan areas and quaint towns. Here are the 15 of the best cities to live in British Columbia.
1. Vancouver
Around half of the population of British Columbia live in the metropolitan area of Vancouver. This includes several cities in the area plus Vancouver Island. Among those cities are tons of great neighborhoods. Vancouver has and mild climate, amazing views, and excellent quality of life. It is one of the most livable cities in the world.
Vancouver is densely populated with high-rise residential and mixed-use development areas, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the world. City planning makes for a lot of green space among the tall buildings, so it's easy to enjoy the outdoors without going far. Venture over to a port to see commerce in action. Families with children have many schools to choose from. The Vancouver School Board has more than 110,000 students in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools, adult education centers, language immersion schools, and fine arts and gifted school choices.
Families and singles alike will enjoy theaters, museums, and libraries. Many movies and television shows are filmed in Vancouver. Music lovers take pleasure in a vibrant nightlife with classical, folk, and popular music venues. Sports enthusiasts can find basketball, football, hockey, and soccer games.
Getting around town is easy with extension buses and trolleys. There is no interstate system within the city to encourage greener options.
2. Victoria
The capital of British Columbia lies at the tip of Vancouver Island. Victoria is the oldest city in Vancouver and is a delight for historians. The 92,000 residents are from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, making the area very diverse. Many of those moved here for job opportunities as Victoria is home to over 900 tech companies.
Being surrounded by water, residents here enjoy many outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, golf, and other water sports. Many often commute by bicycle, and plenty of multi-use paths are designed for that purpose. Buses and rails are also available.
When moving to Victoria, there are several neighborhoods to choose from, including Fernwood, Rockland, James Bay, and Chinatown. The Greater Victoria School District has the oldest public high school in North America.
Victoria's other highlights include the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, Shaw Ocean Discovery Center, the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, and the CFB Esquimalt navy base and museum. The downtown area has many historical buildings. Numerous city parks allow for fresh air, and Clover Point is a beautiful place to take a stroll along the coast.
3. Nanaimo
Moving further north up Vancouver Island (about 69 miles from Victoria) is the city of Nanaimo. It was aptly nicknamed the Harbour City, as it is on the east side of the island facing the Strait of Georgia. It is a more affordable area of British Columbia and is becoming more and more popular. There are around 163,000 residents who call Nanaimo and its surrounding areas home. A commute to Vancouver is a 34-mile ferry ride. Seasonal ferries connect the city with several other islands.
Neighborhoods in Nanaimo are varied – some are in forest settings, some have spectacular views of the water and mountain ranges, and some are on flatter ground. You'll find historic homes, farmhouses, and modern developments. Definitely check out Hammond Bay, College Heights, Cinnabar Valley, and Brechin Hill.
Shopping, dining, museums, art galleries, and nightlife are all close by. Your kids will get an excellent education at one of the 30 elementary and secondary schools served by the School District 66 Nanaimo-Ladysmith. Several private schools and Vancouver Island University's main campus are in Nanaimo.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy water sports, bungee jumping, hiking in the nearby mountains, and catching a sports competition in hockey, football, rugby, or lacrosse.
![The 10 Most Common Questions Asked About Nanaimo [With Answers]](https://u.realgeeks.media/simsrealestate/common-questions-nanaimo-MINI.jpg)
4. Kelowna
Locating in the south-central part of the province, Kelowna is the third-largest metropolitan area of British Columbia. It's in the Okanagan Valley, which is well-known for winemaking and orchards. Residents enjoy year-round lake sports on Okanagan Lake and winter skiing in the close-by mountains with mild weather.
The cost of living is lower than the coastal cities, and there are several neighborhoods to choose from with single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. Neighborhoods to check out include Glenmore, Mission, Black Mountain, Rutland, and Shannon Lake. Children attend School District 23 Central Okanagan or one of several private schools. Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia are available for post-secondary studies.
The cultural district offers galleries, museums, and theaters. Central City offers dining and shopping opportunities. Parks, beaches, boardwalks, walking trails, water sports, and a casino can be found along Okanagan Lake.
As tourism is a big part of the economy, many residents work in this industry, but there are plenty of tech jobs available as well. Check out one of several festivals throughout the year, a show at Prospera Place, or a sports competition – football, soccer, or hockey.
5. Fort St. John
Located in the north-eastern part of the province, Fort St. John is called the "Energetic City" because of the younger population. Fueled by the oil and gas industry, this friendly town of nearly 21,000 residents is a tight-knit community. Other industries include forestry, agriculture, and service.
There are several neighborhoods to choose from with single-family homes and condominiums. Check out Westbank, Chichester, and Smith Creek to start. The School District 60 Peace River North has nine public schools and one private. Northern Lights College offers oil and gas training.
It has cold winters and warm summers, but lots of sunshine. Residents enjoy the Peace River, Dawson Creek, and Centennial Park. The Fort St. John Enerplex offers ice hockey rinks, speedskating, and an indoor walking track. A large park area includes the Fort St. John North Peace Museum, the North Peace Arena, the North Peace Leisure Pool, a curling rink, an outdoor water park, and a speedskating rink.
Located along the Alaska Highway, the city gets its fair share of tourists passing through on their way through to the frontier. There are plenty of wineries, festivals, shopping, and dining to keep you occupied. The nearby mountains provide hiking and other outdoor activities.
6. Whistler
Best-known outside British Columbia for being a world-famous ski destination (over 2 million people visit the village annually), Whistler is also a great place to live. Located just two hours northeast of Vancouver, this town of around 12,000 residents live in an idyllic mountain community. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Whistler for its winter and summer activities. Skiing is the most famous, but there's also snowshoeing, ice skating, tobogganing, golf, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. Living near a resort also lets you partake in the social activities that come to town.
During the off-season, Whistler is a quiet, relaxing town. Everything you need is here – a cinema, bars, restaurants, and boutique shops. For a change of pace, visit the Whistler Museum and Audain Art Museum.
There are several neighborhoods to choose from, each with its sense of charm. Check out Alpine Meadow, Whistler Cay, Bayshores, Emerald, and Creekside. Children attend School District 48 Sea to Sky with two elementary schools and one high school. There is a francophone primary school as well.
Many residents work in the hospitality industry. The area is quite expensive, so keep that in mind when choosing Whistler for your home.
7. Burnaby
Fifteen miles to the east of Vancouver is the third-largest city in British Columbia. Burnaby was the first suburb established when the suburbanization of Vancouver began. Those that live in Burnaby can take the SkyTrain across the Fraser River into the city. This high-tech train system is efficient and convenient.
Burnaby has high-density residential areas, business parks, town centers, and abundant technology firms. There are petroleum refineries on Burrard Inlet. The largest mall in British Columbia is located in the city; there are multiple museums, art galleries, and libraries, including the Burnaby Village Museum and the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Center with a Japanese Garden.
Many actors, singers, and sports professionals got their start in Burnaby. Michael J. Fox has a theater named after him at one of the secondary schools. School District 41 manages 49 schools with over 24,000 students. Simon Fraser University and British Columbia Institute of Technology provide higher education opportunities.
There are many neighborhoods to choose from, including Vancouver Heights, Willingdon Heights, and Government Road. While there are tons of homes packed in here, there are lots of trails, parks, lakes, and mountains close by to get outdoors.
8. Surrey
This suburb of Vancouver is the second-largest city in British Columbia behind Vancouver itself. Over ½ million people have decided to make Surrey their home due to its affordability and easy commute to Downtown Vancouver. With many large high-tech, manufacturing, health, and clean energy companies in the area, that commute may not be necessary.
Homes are spread out between six town centers with numerous neighborhoods in each one. 27% of the land in the city is designated for agricultural use, so there is plenty of beautiful green space in the area. Neighborhoods to check out include Guildwood, Fleetwood Tynehead, and West Newton. New developments are popping up all the time, and this is a very affordable and beautiful place to live.
Students attend School District 36 elementary and secondary schools and a large selection of private schools. Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen Polytechnic Institute have campuses in Surrey.
Surrey is filled with many other attractions, including the Museum of Surrey, the Surrey Art Gallery, and the Surrey City Centre Public Library. WinterFest and the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair bring the city together in celebration every year. With 600 parks and 277 trails, a walk in the forest is minutes away from any home.
9. Richmond
South of Vancouver lies a beautiful suburb called Richmond. It is filled with trails and parks and located on the waterfront; it covers almost all of Lulu Island. Eight local neighborhoods include Sea Island, City Centre, Thompson, West Richmond, Steveston, South Arm, East Richmond, and Hampton. Some of these are typical suburbs, and some are fishing villages. Each of these has easy access to schools and 1,400 acres of parkland. Don't forget all the coastal areas.
Surrey receives less rain than Vancouver, and the winters are mild. Farms are scattered throughout the area, where you can find cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, corn, and potatoes. Other industries in Richmond include high technology, tourism, fishing, light manufacturing, and aviation – the airport is very close.
The water plays an important role in Richmond life with the annual Maritime Festival and the Steveston Salmon Festival. Other attractions include Lansdowne Centre, Parker Place, Steveston Village, and Richmond Centre for shopping. There is also a speed-skating oval constructed for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
10. Saanich
Just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island lies the city of Saanich, with just over 114,000 residents. Neighborhoods are a mix of rural and urban and extend north to the Saanich Peninsula, where you'll find unique flora, bays, wilderness parks, a ferry to head across the bay, and the Victoria International Airport.
Saanich's other parks are Swan Lake/Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, Mount Doug Park, Elk and Beaver Lake Regional Park, and The Galloping Goose and Lochside Tails.
There are twelve areas with 35 neighborhoods, including Cadboro Bay, Broadmead, Gordon Head, Quadra, and Saanich Core. Each of these offers unique communities in which to raise and family. You can choose from the waterfront or water view properties, rural or suburban settings. Saanich has everything you need, with Victoria close by for more.
Children attend School District 61 Greater Victoria, School District 63 Saanich, or South Island Distance Education School. Camosun College, the University of Victoria, and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory are located in Saanich.
11. Squamish
If you are a fan of outdoor activities, you must check out Squamish. Located not far north of Vancouver, this city of 24,000+ residents enjoy a small-town feel with a great sense of community. Fishing, boating, and mountain biking are abundant here. Rock climbers love the Stawamus Chief granite face and 1500 over rock-climbing routes in the area. Those less adventurous can hike to Shannon Falls waterfall, go river-rafting on the Elaho and Squamish rivers, snowmobiling, or ski in the Coast Mountains.
If you have a yen for the big city, the Sea to Sky Highway will get you to Vancouver or Whistler in about 40 minutes. If you stay in Squamish for work, forestry and tourism are the most significant industries.
Families are increasingly looking at Squamish to raise their kids. The crime rate is low, and the homes are affordable. There are several public elementary schools, two public secondary schools, and a middle school. Sea to Sky also offers public school alternatives. There are several private schools and Capilano University and Quest University.
12. Oak Bay
Located on the south end of Vancouver Island, Oak Bay is bordered by Victoria and Saanich. It was initially designated as a suburb of Victoria but soon became a city in its own right. Today, it is a quaint seaside town of 18,000 people.
The Victoria Golf Club is the oldest golf course in Canada, founded in 1893. The links are right on the ocean. The Royal Victoria Yacht Club has been around since 1892. Notable parks are Anderson Hill Park, Uplands Park/Cattle Point, and Willows Beach.
When moving to Oak Bay, there are six neighborhoods to choose from: North Oak Bay, South Oak Bay, Uplands, Henderson, Gonzales, and Estevan. Each has historic sites, seaside areas, parks, and community happenings. Students attend School District 61, one elementary, one middle, and one high school. Alternatively, there are two private schools.
Nearby Victoria provides jobs, shopping, dining, and more.
13. Delta
Seventeen miles south of Vancouver is Delta, bordering the United States and home to 110,000 residents. Many who live here commute into Vancouver for employment via roads and highways. It's about an hour commute.
It is comprised of three communities – North Delta, Ladner, and Tsawwassen. Over half of Delta's population lives in the suburban feeling North Delta. Farming and fishing dominate Ladner. Tsawwassen has waterfront homes and a ferry terminal to commute to Vancouver Islands and the Gulf Islands. Top neighborhoods in these sections include Sunshine Hills, Royal York, and Canterbury Heights.
Delta is very family-friendly with a high quality of life. There is shopping at Tsawwassen Mills and excellent restaurants serving various cuisines. Children attend Delta Public Schools or an independent French school.
A large part of Delta's land is preserved for agricultural purposes, and there are wetlands set aside for wildlife. Burn's Bog is a popular tourist destination for birdwatchers. Cycling is a prevalent sport due to the moderate Mediterranean-style climate.
14. Colwood
Right next to Victoria is the city of Colwood. Its 17,000 residents enjoy miles of coastline and historical sights on the southern end of Vancouver Island. The mild climate means you can spend lots of time enjoying the water and wildlife areas. One of the first lighthouses on the west coast is Fisgard Lighthouse – it is still operational today and guides boaters into the Esquimalt Harbour. Other highlights include Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary, The Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, The Galloping Goose Trail, and Hatley Park.
Colwood has grown to a residential community with plenty of amenities and outdoor opportunities from its beginnings as a rural community next to the naval base and academy. Several residential neighborhoods to choose from include Triangle Mountain, Colwood Lake Estates Lagoon, Wishart, and Colwood Creek. Children attend School District 62 Sooke with six elementary, middle, and high schools. There is also an alternative school and Royal Roads University in Colwood.
There are plenty of shopping and dining establishments in Colwood. If you can't find what you need, Victoria will have it.
15. Comox
Further up Vancouver Island on an east coast peninsula lies the city of Comox. Due to its location, it has a relatively mild climate, with summers in the mid-'70s and winter temperatures rarely falling below freezing. While the Comox Glacier can be seen from all parts of town, rain is more common than snow.
For the 15,000 residents, the best part of Comox is the mountains and the ocean. Many active Canadians choose to retire in Comox. Outdoor activities include fishing, mountain biking, skiing, swimming, and SCUBA diving. Several local museums highlight the history of the area and coastal military aviation history.
The most prominent industries in Comox are tourism and the Royal Canadian Air Force Base.
Families send their children to School District 71 Comox Valley or schools in nearby Courtenay. There is a private Christian school and a French school as well. Post-secondary education opportunities are available at North Island college or Sprott Shaw College.
Your Dream Home Awaits You in British Columbia
Since most residents live on Vancouver Island or in Vancouver itself, our focus has mainly been around these areas, with some ventures inland. We’ve only touched the surface. British Columbia is a vast province with so much to offer. Depending on your goals, you might stick to the metropolitan areas or wander off to the great frontier searching for adventure. While the metropolitan areas are more expensive, there are more opportunities for employment and more options with regard to shopping and dining. The outlying areas offer peaceful communities surrounded by nature. The area has an amazing history of native settlement and a diverse population. With mountains, oceans, wineries, and more in your backyard, the best cities to live in British Columbia await your discovery.
Providing Residential Real Estate services across Vancouver Island. Sims Real Estate group not only works where we invest; we live here too. Our mission is to build trust and value through genuine and meaningful connections. Our comfortable approach to Real Estate makes working with us a great experience. Our business is built one meaningful connection at a time. Your future matters.