Living in British Columbia
British Columbia, also known as BC, is Canada’s westernmost province and home to more than 5.2 million people. British Columbia has a lot to offer! Not only in its epic landscapes, clean cities and friendly people but also in safety, work satisfaction and health care. We are proud of our rich Indigenous history that stretches back more than 10,000 years, our diverse multicultural population and the wide range of industries and lifestyles you can experience.
The Quality of Living
The standard of living is high in British Columbia. Like the rest of Canada, British Columbia offers free health care and K-12 education to all its citizens and permanent residents. British Columbia’s communities are culturally friendly and safe spaces to build a life or grow a family. In fact, Canada is consistently ranked as one of the countries with the highest quality of living, political stability, and strongest economies in the world.
The Adventure
If you love the outdoors, you will find a new love in British Columbia! British Columbians enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities all throughout the year. During the warm BC summers, you can often find individuals near the beaches, at a lake, or visiting the many lush provincial parks. In the winter, skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing and snowshoeing are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed on the mountains or trails around BC. With award-winning ski resorts, golf courses, and excellent athletics facilities and programs, there is always something to do and new places to explore. There is no shortage of opportunity, recreation and fun in BC!
The People
British Columbia is home to over 200 First Nations, whose unique traditions, art, and culture are appreciated and enjoyed throughout the province. Thanks to our diverse Indigenous communities and multicultural cities, BC is the most ethnically and culturally diverse province in Canada. Multiculturalism is a way of life in BC. With nearly 30% of its population born outside of Canada and more than 40,000 immigrants from around the world arriving every year, you only need to look to our diverse neighbourhoods and communities to see that all beliefs, religions and cultural traditions are welcome here.
Resources and Services
You might have a number of questions about moving to BC, the different geographic regions, or what to expect when you get here. To get you started, we’ve gathered a list of helpful sites where you can get more information about various areas in BC, as well as services and programs to assist you in making the transition to BC. Welcome BC, HelloBC and IndigenousBC are an excellent place to start.