Whether you’re looking for the best cities to visit or even the best places to live in BC (British Columbia), Canada, we have them all here. Not just locations we’ll also inform you of needed information when coming here.
Everything You Need To Know About British Columbia Before Going
Located between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia is the westernmost province in Canada. The region presents a rich nature with diverse geography, including forests, mountains, lakes, sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, grassy plains, and inland deserts.
Fun Facts About British Columbia
Here are some fun and interesting facts you might not know about this Canadian region.
- The size of British Columbia is four times in comparison with Great Britain
- Half of the residents here live in the urban area of Vancouver
- BC alone has 400 provincial parks, conservation areas, and recreation, six National Parks, and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- BC’s land base is two-thirds forest land, and most of that area has had little to no human contact. To make it easier to imagine, this land base is larger than the entire France
- This region has the mildest climate among all territories and provinces in Canada
- Growing and exporting blueberries and cranberries are the focus of BC. It is now of the three regions that are famous for top-quality blueberries worldwide
- Duncan city in BC is now the owner of the largest hockey stick in the world. The stick is 62.48 meters long and weighs 28.12 tonnes
When Is The Best Time To Visit BC?
The answer is between May and September.
Summertime in BC lasts from June to August and is the peak tourist season since the weather is warm, accompanied by dazzling sunshine throughout the day.
Useful Tips When Traveling To British Columbia
- About money:
Don’t have time to prepare Canadian cash? Don’t worry; most of the stores here accept both U.S. dollars and credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa
- About transport:
The best mean of transportation to go around the area is by car. You can easily rent one at Victoria airports, Kelowna, and Vancouver.
There are taxis and Uber in Vancouver, but not Victoria, unfortunately. If you’re planning to only stick to the downtown, then it’s OK. However, if rural areas are also on your list of must-visit destinations, you should carefully plan beforehand.
Otherwise, you can take the Rock Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Lake House, Banff, or Jasper.
The Best Places To Live In British Columbia (BC)
Here we are, the best part of the post. Don’t skip it if you do not just have a trip but spend your entire life here. We have the list of the best cities, aka the best places to live in British Columbia (BC), Canada.
Victoria
The first impression Victoria leaves for newcomers is its countless historical buildings lining the waterfront. This sightseeing gives a feeling like you’ve got off a 19th- century trans-Pacific ocean liner.
The weather in Victoria is temperate, and it gets far less rain than in Vancouver. Even in the wintertime, it’s still one of Canada’s warmest cities.
Vancouver – Best Places To Live In BC
One thing for sure is that Vancouver has one of the most gorgeous metropolis environs in the nation. It also means that Vancouver is undoubtedly the best place to live in BC, Canada.
The city has a diverse geography that extends throughout the region. For example, with Fraser River to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and cliffs to the north, Vancouver is one of the best cities in British Columbia to visit or even to live in. The amazing natural playground surrounding the city encourages its residents to be active and outdoorsy.
Penticton
Penticton is a small town that is down the lake from Kelowna. Despite its humble size, Penticton is fun with a wide range of recreation, like great beaches, wide-open spaces for outdoor games, shopping malls, and even a local farmers market.
Accommodations that you can access while living in one of the best cities in British Columbia include
- Public park with children’s play structures, tennis courts, an alfresco zone that is perfect for flying discs or tossing a football
- Not kind of accommodations, but still, you’re free to enjoy the soft sands and clear water of Skaha Beach
- A farmers market takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday
- Museums that display the regional history
Kelowna – Best Places To Live In BC
Situated at Lake Okanagan’s midpoint, Kelowna is a thriving city in the area’s interior. With around 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, Lake Okanagan is indeed a place to hide the cold in Canada.
You can do many things while in Kelowna, one of them is skiing at the Big White Ski Resort. If you’re not a fan of the cold season, Kelowna has other things to fulfill you
- A lovely walkway stretches along the shoreline
- Wonderful public parks with tennis courts, picnic tables, large green spaces, and of course, children’s playgrounds
- Funky shops and locally-run diners in downtown
- Kettle Valley Railroad with its beautiful wooden trestle bridges
Nanaimo
Nanaimo is the entry point for ferries arriving from Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen to Vancouver Island. You can imagine how lively it is just hearing about it, right?
The irresistible thing about Nanaimo is that it has some of the best fresh, locally-sourced food you cannot find anywhere else. Remember to try the unique mouthwatering desert, the delectable Nanaimo Bar, because it might be the reason that keeps you staying for not just a while.
Whistler – Best Places To Live In BC
This small town is a year-round worldwide tourist destination. The pleasant vibe and modern amenities it offers made it home to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
But of course, if you’re looking for a peaceful and quiet place, Whistler might not be the best option. However, you can consider living in the urban yet enjoying your me-time in the rural as there is a bunch of adventures outside Whistler’s downtown, including snowmobiling, mountain hiking or biking, etc.
Nelson
Nelson has always been an ideal place where everyone chooses to spend the rest of their life if possible. With the harmonious combination of beautiful natural scenery with modern features, you want to experience more when you set foot in this land.
Note these must-try activities down so that you cannot miss a thing when visiting Nelson
- Try all recreation that the Rotary Lakeside Park’s beach offer
- Free your mind while gazing at nowhere on the West Arm shores
- Camp at Pilot Bay Provincial Park
- Take a hike at Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
- When the town turns into a snowy wonderland as the winter comes, head to the Selkirk Mountains for a world-famous heli-skiing experience
Related Posts You Can Read:
Why is Golden the Most Valuable Town in British Columbia, Canada?
10 Reasons That Make Living In Victoria, BC, Canada is Amazing
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