Moving in Canada Vancouver, British Columbia

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Vancouver, British Columbia

Downtown Vancouver Vancouver is nestled around the eastern end of Burrard Inlet, a natural deepwater harbour, and the mouth of the huge Fraser River. Vancouver became the base for exploration into BC's interior, and became the head office for companies that exploited the province's timber and mineral resources. The city's British heritage still pervades the downtown area, as well as the holder established neighbourhoods.

Vancouver forms the core for the 1.6 million people that live in the "Lower Mainland" of British Columbia. Because of the constraints of mountains to the north, water to the west and the US border on the south, the city has experienced growth in the only two directions left: east and up!

Vancouver looking west from BC Place Stadium towards Stanley Park

The core communities in the Vancouver area are Vancouver, with Burnaby and New Westminster to the immediate east, Surrey and White Rock to the southeast, and Richmond, and Delta (with the communities of Ladner and Tsawwassen) to the south. The city has, over the last decade experienced phenomenal population growth and expansion into its eastern suburbs including Surrey, Langley and Pitt Meadows, for which commuters use the Trans-Canada Highway (#1) south of the Fraser and the Lougheed Highway (#7)north of the Fraser. Vancouver has a several scenic North Shore comunities including North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay (the BC Ferries terminus) and Lion's Bay. These have access to the waterfront and to the North Shore Mountains, with ski hills, summer & winter recreational trails, and of course faster access to Whistler and various venues of the 2010 Winter Olymic Games.

SkyTrain was built prior to the Expo 86 world's fair, connecting downtown to Burnaby and New Westminster. A recently added SkyTrain Light Rail Transit system through nothern Burnaby to Surrey has eased commuter traffic. The Canada Line is a new southern route (opening summer 2009) into Richmond and to Vancouver International Airport, and further routes are planned east to Port Moody and Coquitlam. Commuters as far east as Mission have access to the West Coast Express, which connects to the Waterfront Station, with transfers to bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus service.

Night View from Grouse Mountain

Vancouver is an ethnically and culturally diverse community. About 50% of Greater Vancouver residents do not speak English as their first language. The two largest enthic/lingustic groups (other than English-speakers) are the Chinese and the East Indians. Vancouver is also a very gay-friendly city.

Vancouver combines the cultural sophistication of Los Angeles with the rainy-foggy charm of San Fransisco, with the added plus of having mountains RIGHT THERE! Its the only city in Canada where you can snow-ski and go sailing on the same day, almost year-round. The city's moist climate gives the city its year-round green color. The fine weather has also attracted several new audiences: the leisurely and recreation-oriented youth, those of retirement age who no longer want to deal with harsh Canadian winters, and Asians looking for a North American base. In fact half of Vancouver's population is now non-white and very Asian. It has Canada's biggest Chinatown, and very strong communities of those of Korean, Vietnamese, Philipine or Japanese descent.

Community Map

Click on "Hybrid" to see see ski runs on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on "+" or "-" to zoom in or out. "Satellite" shows photo, "Hybrid" combines map & photo.

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