Moving To Vancouver? Read Our Vancouver Relocation Guide

The Vancouver Skyline from Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver.

Thinking of Relocating To Vancouver?

Every year over 50,000 people move to Vancouver. While the flow of people moving from Eastern Canada has slowed in recent years, immigrants from all over the world continue to choose Vancouver as their new home. The largest group of immigrants to Vancouver come from China, India, the Philippines, Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Iran.

With it’s postcard perfect mountains and spectacular natural harbour, it is easy to see why people choose to move to Vancouver. It doesn’t hurt that Vancouver has Canada’s most moderate climate, frequently wins the world’s most livable city and reigns as the outdoor recreation capital of North America.

According to the 2006 Census, the city proper of Vancouver has a population of 578,041 and the Metro Vancouver region has over 2.1 million people. The population of Vancouver is a fascinating mix of different nationalities, with over 52% of Vancouver residents speaking a language other than English as their first language.

Vancouver has a vibrant economy, with large industries including: forestry products, biotechnology, hi-tech, software development, real estate, tourism, the largest port in Western Canada, natural resources and agriculture.

Moving to Vancouver Guides:

We have created useful guides for many of Vancouver’s most popular neighbourhoods and suburbs.

North Vancouver – Set against the North Shore Mountains, North Vancouver is full of natural beauty and secluded trails, only minutes from downtown Vancouver (except in rush hour when the Bridges overflow, then it can take a lot of longer).

Vancouver – With over 70,000 people living on the peninsula that downtown Vancouver inhabits, the urban core is a marvel of livability. The city of Vancouver is made up of 23 walkable communities include many popular neighbourhoods like the West End, Yaletown, Kitsilano, Commercial Drive, Main Street and Kerrisdale.

Burnaby – A short 20 minute drive from downtown, Burnaby is quiet, leafy suburb full of parkland and trails. If you’re moving to Vancouver and you want to have more space then Burnaby is an option.

Coquitlam – Just past Burnaby is the Tri-Cities area which include Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Slightly cheaper and safer than the city of Vancouver, these cities are a popular choice for many young families.

Richmond – Known as the “Island City”, Richmond is home to Vancouver’s international airport YVR. It is also home to Vancouver’s largest Chinese community and is only a short drive from the city.

Surrey – Many people who are relocating to Vancouver choose Surrey because it offers the cheapest real estate and the most open space, while still making a commute into the city possible. Traffic is a problem here as Surrey is the fast-growing suburb in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland.

Abbotsford – A little farther out in the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford is a popular choice for families moving to Vancouver who want a country lifestyle.

If you’re thinking of moving to Vancouver, do your research carefully because each neighbourhood and suburb has it’s advantages and disadvantages. Vancouver is a welcoming city but it can be very expensive with high taxes and even  higher property prices, so it is a good idea to choose your new home carefully.