Home » Vancouver

Vancouver

Photo ©Alan Albert

Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast, is frequently named one of the best places in the world to live. If you’re lucky enough to spend some time here, you’ll see why.

It starts with a gorgeous physical setting, with the downtown high-rises perched between the water and the snowcapped mountains. Beaches ring the city, and you can be on the ski slopes in under an hour. The temperate climate, similar to Seattle’s or Portland’s, means that you can enjoy the outdoors virtually year-round.

Vancouver is a vibrant, international city. As Canada’s gateway to the Pacific Rim, Vancouver has a large Asian community with food, festivals, and other cultural activities that all residents can enjoy. There’s an active restaurant scene, and the laid-back locals line the sidewalk cafes whenever the sun shines.

So what’s the downside? All this beauty doesn’t come cheap. The major drawback to living in Vancouver is the cost. It’s Canada’s most expensive housing market, and while it may seem reasonable compared to New York or San Francisco, you’ll spend a lot more to live here than you would in Toronto or Montreal.

Even though Vancouver has one of the mildest climates in Canada, the weather can still be a negative. Summer is gorgeous, spring and fall are mild, but winter is unquestionably wet. Freezing temperatures and snow are rare, but if you’re headed to Vancouver, you may want to invest in some Gore-Tex.

Vancouver relocation resources:


— Excerpted (in part) from the book, Living Abroad in Canada. To read more, buy the book.

Vancouver’s Kitsilano pool and beach photo ©Alan Albert