Canada has several great cities to live in. Vancouver, in particular, is one of the most preferred by individuals and families because of the great weather and environment, stable economy and pleasant people. Vancouver has a population of 600,000 while the metropolitan population is 2.3 million. It is also one of the cleanest cities in the world and is relatively close to a number of places in the United States. Cost of living is rather high in Vancouver compared to other Canadian cities.
Environment and Weather
Because of its location near the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver’s climate is mild compared to other cities. The winter is warm and the summers tend to be dry and sunny. Snow falls around 10 to 11 days each year. It is the biggest city in British Columbia and features the Rocky Mountains as well which blocks the cold winter air originating from other parts of the country. This explains why people prefer Vancouver since they don’t have to deal with extreme weather conditions.
Vancouver also gets involved in various projects and programs to improve and maintain the environment. Vancouver has several times ranked inside the top ten cleanest cities in the world. People who like a more relaxed environment than Toronto would prefer Vancouver.
The People
Vancouver has been rated as one of the top cities to live in the world. For many years, it has garnered a spot in the top three most livable cities on a global scale. Vancouver is diverse in terms of ethnicity. Although English is the main language, 50% of the residents and 44% of those living in Greater Vancouver do not speak English as their main language. People living in Vancouver are referred to as “Vancouverites” are described as friendly but reserved. There are also instances of gang violence in certain parts although crime rates have gone down significantly since 2011.
Economic Status
Vancouver is the commercial center of British Columbia and boasts of a strong and stable economy. The largest port in Canada is also located in Vancouver and handles cargoes worth $200 million each day. About 45,000 regional jobs are supported by the port alone. Other industries are also doing well such as software development, biotechnology, mining and services. Vancouver also has businesses focused on technology, energy and information systems. The economy is estimated to grow an average of 3% every year from 2013 up to 2016.
Education
There are two major universities in Vancouver – Simon Fraser University and UBC or the University of British Columbia. Other schools also offer quality education such as Emily Carr University of Art and Design, the British Columbia Institute of Technology and Vancouver Film School. Several high schools and elementary schools are funded by the government although there are also private institutions if parents prefer.
On Living
Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities to live in Canada. On a worldwide scale, the cost of living is also high. Renting or buying a house will cost around $1,200 to $2,000. The average home costs about $684,000. The western part of downtown is the most expensive while the opposite part is impoverished and has high crime rates.
Individuals need to pick more carefully the areas and job opportunities that are open for them before migrating. Overall, Vancouverites are stable, happy and reside in the city all their lives.
