Where Are the Best Places to Live in British Columbia?

Defined by rugged mountain ranges and glorious Pacific coastline, British Columbia provides ample reasons to call it home. With iconic cities such as Victoria and Vancouver and world-famous sights to discover, it is no wonder that countless people move to British Columbia each and every day. But what makes BC so popular as a place to live and where are the best places to live in BC? We discover this and more.

Where is British Columbia, and What is it Like?

For those unfamiliar with the area, British Columbia, also known as BC, is Canada’s westernmost province and lives between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. On the east, BC borders Alberta whilst the south shares a border with the United States with the northern end bordering Yukon and the Northwest Territories. British Columbia’s capital is the city of Victoria however the largest city is Vancouver, a city surrounded by mountains and famous for its cultural scene.

Why Live in BC?

British Columbia is known for breathtaking scenery and captivating sights but is also a popular choice of city to move to and live in due to its exceptionally high standard of living. Whilst Canada itself is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live in, British Columbia offers more than its fair share of attractions. With a thriving healthcare system and low crime rates, BC is a fantastic place to live for families and working individuals alike.

Aside from fantastic career opportunities and good wages, British Columbia also offers a plethora of cultural sites and experiences to enjoy. As a melting pot of cultures from across the world, British Columbia has a number of cultural outlets showcasing a varied heritage with a thriving arts scene and countless events throughout the year. August, in particular, marks a celebration of First Nation Culture from its Secwepemc nation. BC is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as six national parks and countless other recreation and conservation areas.

Where Are the Best Places to Live in British Columbia

When it comes to deciding on the best places to live in BC, there are a few factors to consider. For example, a young professional wanting a city-centre life who doesn’t mind paying high rent may be looking for something different to a family who are looking for lower-cost housing and plenty of green space for their children to enjoy. The best place to retire in BC may well differ from the cheapest places to live in BC. We've explored the best places to live in BC for each of the categories below as well as listing some of the best overall places to live.

Where Are the Most Affordable Places to Live in BC?

According to BC Business, some of the cheapest places to live in BC include places such as Prince George, Kamploops and Campbell River whilst some of the most expensive places to live in BC, not surprisingly, include Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby within their ranks. The small city of Quesnal also earns an honourable mention for quiet living at an affordable price with one of the lowest tax rates in Canada. If you are looking for somewhere to call home on Vancouver Island specifically, Port Alice and Port Alberni work out as some of the cheapest places to live on Vancouver Island. We’ve included a list of the top 10 cheapest cities to buy property in BC in general below.

Prince George
Kamploops
Campbell River
Langford
Penticton
Victoria
Nanaimo
Port Coquitlam
New Westminster
Port Moody

Where Are the Best Places to Retire in BC?

When it is time to retire, we know that you want somewhere that offers everything you need to enjoy the freedom of your retirement years. There are plenty of places in BC to retire with thriving arts scenes, access to nature and a good pace of life, we’ve listed some of the favourites below.

West Vancouver
Qualicum Beach
Victoria
Nelson
Comox
Sidney
Vancouver
Duncan and Arbutus Ridge
Burnaby
Surrey

Top Overall Places to Live in BC

Whether you are looking for an affordable new home or access to the very best amenities and leisure facilities, some places in British Columbia rank as some of the favourite places to live time and again. Here are some of the best places to live in British Columbia.

Oak Bay
Colwood
Cowichan Bay
North Saanich
Central Saanich
Saanich
Langford
Sidney
Victoria
Fort St. John
Vancouver

Moving to BC

If all of this has you itching to move to British Columbia, QMM has the resources to help make your move seamless. We offer a full service moving and packing service across Canada and beyond with a range of complementary services to make sure your move to BC is quick and simple.

Contact our team now to find out more about how we can help you move to British Columbia and answer any questions you may have.

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