Located along the westernmost coast of Canada sits beautiful British Columbia featuring the majestic Rocky Mountains, dense, mature forests, and a magnificent stretch of Pacific coastline. Home to some of the most vibrant and trendy cities in the country, B.C. is definitely not for those who love the perfect balance of breathtaking landscape, sweeping views, and exciting urban living.
Over the last decade, B.C. has become one of the most popular destinations for tourists, who flock to the beaches and the snowy mountain resorts throughout the year. As for the locals, B.C. is home to some of the top cities in the world, including the capital, Victoria, and Vancouver, one of the most populated cities in Canada. Many of the major cities in the province have been ranked highly and boast of high standards when it comes to quality of living.
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For those who are trying to decide whether or not this expansive coastal province is the right place to live, here are the top 10 reasons you definitely should NOT move to British Columbia:
- You don’t want access to amazing career opportunities
- You’re not wanting excellent educational options for your family
- You don’t want to live in an incredible neighbourhood
- You hate looking at stunning scenery
- You are not into arts & culture
- You don’t want exceptional transportation options
- You can’t stand wildlife sightings
- You are not interested in a diverse dining scene
- You are over the impressive outdoor activities offered
- You don’t enjoy a lovely, mild climate
Let’s take a deeper look at each of these factors so that you can be completely sure if British Columbia will suit your lifestyle or not.
1. You Don’t Want Access to Amazing Career Opportunities
British Columbia is known for its thriving and sustainable economy. The province offers a wide variety of job and career options to the residents of this beautiful area. These opportunities are made up of a diverse selection and offer possibilities to all sorts of qualifications, skill levels, and expertise. There is a place for anybody and everybody in B.C.
Vancouver is British Columbia’s commercial hub and is the highest contributor to the collective economy. A number of industries are also run throughout Vancouver including biotechnology, alternative fuels, and software development. The headquarters of HSBC Canada, one of the largest banking institutions in the world, is located in the heart of Vancouver as well. With so many opportunities in one city alone, it’s no wonder why B.C. is so popular among working professionals.
2. You’re Not Wanting Excellent Educational Options For Your Family
The educational system of B.C. is a well-maintained collection of institutions that offers quality education to hundreds of thousands of elementary and high school students all over the province. As one of the biggest draws that attract families to British Columbia, the public education system includes some of the top schools in all of Canada such as:
There are a number of amazing private school options for the students of British Columbia as well. These include Montessori, religious, and French-Immersion schools to students in kindergarten through grade twelve. Further private studies are available at schools like the Vancouver Film School, an award-winning, privately funded art school.
Along with these exceptional schools, British Columbia is home to eleven public universities and five private universities. Two of these fantastic schools, the University of British Columbia and Simon Frazer University, have been ranked second and tenth out of Canada’s top universities.
3. You Don’t Want to Live in an Incredible Neighbourhood
It’s a well-known fact that British Columbia is a fabulous place to live, boasting a high quality of life and fresh, natural beauty everywhere you look. The toughest part about deciding to move to B.C. is figuring out where exactly you want to settle down as there are so many spectacular cities and neighbourhoods to choose from!
First off, the most popular cities to live in include:
- Vancouver
- Saanich
- Fort St. John
- Maple Ridge
- Kelowna
- Victoria
Each of these fantastic cities features a seemingly endless list of trendy neighbourhoods and vibrant atmospheres. With the incredible diversity of the province, there is truly something to suit every lifestyle. Looking for a hip, up-and-coming downtown area? You got it! Do you prefer a quiet, rural countryside just outside of town? No problem! B.C. can cater to all lifestyles, all age groups, and all budgets.
4. You Hate Looking at Stunning Scenery
The most anticipated feature of any B.C. location to all newcomers is the breathtaking landscapes. The scenery found in this section of Canada is unlike any other province consisting of snow-peaked mountains, stretches of sandy beaches, and beautiful, mature forestry.
Some of the most notable locations to spot some of the best views include the English Bay, legendary for its stunning sunsets, Kitsilano Beach, a.k.a. Kits Beach, and the famous Stanley Park, where visitors can walk along the seawall taking in the sights and sounds of the oceanside.
The ocean isn’t the only place to watch the sunrise or set, reflecting a rainbow of colour off of the water. B.C. is also home to more than 20,000 lakes featuring picturesque bays and inlets. Many of these lakes are surrounded by towering forests and are the perfect getaway destination to enjoy camping or cottaging.
5. You are Not into Arts & Culture
British Columbia is one of the most diverse and exciting provinces in Canada. Approximately 50 per cent of B.C. locals speak another language with immigrants flocking from Europe, Asia, and Australia. On top of that, B.C. is home to about 230,000 Indigenous people, making the province one of the most culturally diverse in the country.
The diversity of B.C. is loud and proud all throughout the province, seeping into the restaurants, the local artistry, and the musicians that call this incredible place home. With over fifty professional theatre companies in Vancouver alone, the city is known for its art scene featuring dozens of galleries and venues to showcase local visual, musical, and performance art.
All throughout the year, several fantastic festivals and major events are hosted in and around the major cities of the province. A few of the most popular celebrations include the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Celebration of Light, the famous Ted Conference, a number of challenging marathons, and so much more! There’s such a flurry of action and activity at any time throughout the year, locals can always find something exciting to keep entertained.
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6. You Don’t Want Exceptional Transportation Options
Residents that don’t have access to a car needn’t worry, there are plenty of ways to move around both Mainland British Columbia as well as to, from, and around Vancouver Island. In the more urban areas, many locals walk or bike to work. When travelling further through the cities, TransLink offers an impeccable system of fully accessible transportation.
Various options when it comes to public transportation in B.C. include:
- Bus
Vancouver in particular is filled with an intricate, yet easy to navigate, system of buses. Locals can travel from Downtown through Granville Street, Burrard Street, and Georgia Street, hitting all the popular stops from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. - SeaBus
This unique, strictly passenger ferry service provides transportation to and from Vancouver’s Waterfront Station and Lonsdale Quay. This picturesque ride takes approximately twelve minutes and provides a soothing transition alongside the city, sea, and mountains. - SkyTrain
Another unique feature of the TransLink system is this automated vessel that travels between Downtown and Metro Vancouver’s suburbs. There are three lines: The Expo Line, The Canada Line, and The Millennium Line. - Ferries
Several ferries connect not only the mainland to Vancouver Island, but also across False Creek, an incredibly popular area along the harbourfront in the heart of Vancouver. These slow and steady machines have been transporting locals for business and pleasure for so long, the system is fine-tuned and dependable.
All of the major cities found in British Columbia also offer a trolley system, a community shuttle, and standard taxi services. With so many excellent transportation options, getting around this beautiful province is a breeze!
7. You Can’t Stand Wildlife Sightings
Hiking is one of the most popular hobbies that B.C. locals enjoy. And who can blame them? With the number of winding trails set among the ancient trees and along towering cliffs sides, it’s easy to fall in love with the sights of the landscape alone. However, what adds to the experience is the potential wildlife sightings!
British Columbia is home to an abundance of interesting flora and fauna. From bird-watching to whale-watching, you can find dynamic creatures on land, sea, and sky. Sights of grizzly bears, mountain goats, and even moose have been spotted across the parks and forests.
No matter where you venture off to in the province, you can guarantee you’ll spot one form of beautiful animal or another. Some families even make a sort of BINGO adventure game out of the sport and try to spot as many species of birds and mammals as possible every time they take off for a weekend of camping or exploring.
8. You are Not Interested in a Diverse Dining Scene
As a multicultural hub of excitement, it’s obvious that B.C. is going to be home to an incredible array of dining opportunities. Big cities, such as Downtown Vancouver and the capital, Victoria, are brimming with colourful restaurants, eclectic eateries, and cozy cafes. Many of these establishments are locally run by just as colourful and interesting residents.
Due to the area’s coastal location, many of these excellent eateries offer not only some of the best seafood in the country but stunning views out over the Pacific Ocean or populate the many beaches, offering the ultimate patio experience. For serious foodies, British Columbia is definitely a must-experience destination.
On top of the thousands of amazing restaurants, B.C. is also home to a fabulous collection of wineries ranging from quaint, family-run vineyards to vast estates producing big brand names. Along with the grape-producing vineyards, you’ll also find a variety of orchards boasting the most delicious fruits including peaches, plums, Bing cherries, and apricots, many of which are infused into delectable wines.
9. You are Over the Impressive Outdoor Activities Offered
All year round, locals have an excellent selection of recreational activities in which to indulge. The dramatic terrain, such as the vast coastline and towering mountains, as well as the incredible climate, provide the most magnificent backdrop for a wide variety of activities. No matter what your hobby, you can bet that B.C. will have the perfect natural setting to enjoy that hobby.
One of the most popular outdoor excursions available in the province is skiing and snowboarding. The slopes of Whistler are consistently rated as one of the top skiing destinations in all of North America!
There are dozens of incredible parklands found within the borders of B.C. This includes Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre park known for majestic forestry, formal gardens, and amazing wildlife in the middle of a busy city. Glacier National Park is another B.C. gem and is one of the most ecologically significant areas of Canada, boasting centuries-old cedars, bears and caribou, as well as an excellent source for rock-climbing and hiking.
Located along the Pacific Coast, B.C. residents obviously have access to fantastic beaches. Tourists flock to the shores to enjoy the great surfing waves, the warm sands, and the incredible sea life that can be observed during a snorkel session.
10. You Don’t Enjoy a Lovely, Mild Climate
Canada is known for putting residents through a series of harsh winters, dropping to extreme temperatures well below zero from November to March. On the other end of the scale, the summers can certainly heat up, hitting temperatures in the high thirties. One of the best things about British Columbia? Stable, mild temperatures all year long.
Taking in the cool breezes off of the ocean, the hot summer heat remains tolerable and enjoyable along the coastline. During the cold winter months, the climate rarely drops much below zero, unless of course, you’re high up in the mountains enjoying the snowy slopes.
Due to the proximity to the Pacific, British Columbia experiences heavier rainfall throughout the year compared to the landlocked provinces. As such, the forests and gardens retain a lush, green colour, adding to the spectacular views and sparkling landscapes all over the province.
From the incredible selection of neighbourhoods to the wide variety of career opportunities, from the unbeatable scenery to the variety of diverse and delectable dining options, it’s clear that British Columbia is not for everyone. For those looking for boring, cookie-cutter homes surrounded by dull and lifeless scenery, look somewhere else because you won’t find that here! B.C. is the epitome of vibrant, exciting atmospheres filled with friendly residents and countless festivals celebrating everything under the sun. It’s nothing but community involvement, stunning natural resources, and gorgeous properties all throughout the province.
