Section: neighbourhoods
Head: Where to Live in B.C.
Deck: Between booming Vancouver and many magnificent regions, it’s tough to decide

Few can resist the allure of British Columbia. The only problem newcomers face is in choosing where to live. From Vancouver Island’s endless miles of beaches, to Whistler’s stupendous mountain scenery, to the Thompson Okanagan’s sun-drenched wine country, B.C. offers a plethora of perfect places to call home. Vancouver and environs – an oasis despite its size and population density – has become the location of choice for many.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) comprises the city of Vancouver and 21 surrounding municipalities that together make up one electoral area. This sprawling metropolis of almost 2.2 million people includes North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and Surrey. British Columbia’s remaining population is concentrated in smaller cities and towns throughout the province. Vancouver and surrounding area has many bounties to offer residents. Here are profiles of a few of its 23 neighbourhoods.

Vancouver – The City
Vancouverites enjoy stunning waterfront views from three sides – the Burrard Inlet to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the north arm of the Fraser River along the south. A spectacular mountain and forest backdrop lies northward. These alone are sufficient reasons to claim the city as the destination of choice. But Vancouver is also the financial and business centre of the province.
Although Vancouver has seen a loss of head offices in the resource area, there are new sectors, including hi-tech, biomedical and bio-resource, fuelled by research and development at post-secondary institutions.
Stroll the city streets and you will likely encounter a bustling film crew. “Hollywood North” boasts the third largest film and television industry in North America, and the city has long been employed as a stand-in for many
cities south of the border.
Attracting more than two million people a day, downtown Vancouver is the region’s largest shopping district. Join the throngs on chic Robson Street, power shop at Pacific Centre Mall or duck into one of many trendy restaurants and bars.
The unique heritage buildings of Chinatown are a short stroll from downtown. Here, locals and tourists pack narrow streets to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and live fish at open-air markets, and pile into restaurants for the best dim sum north of San Francisco. Gastown is also a part of the city’s historic past. Here, stylish lofts and condos are interspersed with affordable housing projects.
At present, Vancouver has the most expensive housing market in the country. Most downtown housing exists in the form of high-rise condominiums and apartments, vastly ranging in price depending on location – and view. High-rise views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains command the highest prices, while economically depressed areas, such as the Downtown Eastside, are among the least expensive.
It can also be difficult to find rental vacancies in the popular city. A recent development boom on the north False Creek waterfront made it easier, but costs are still high: rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver averages around $1,000. Big plans are in store for False Creek: by 2010 the largest development scheme in North America will see a series of neighbourhoods strung along the waterfront, with 40 more highrise
towers.
Yaletown, Vancouver’s answer to Manhattan’s Soho, is a heritage warehouse district where young, urban professionals occupy lofts and hi-rise apartments above high-ceilinged restaurants, brick-and-beam offices and boutiques.
Bordering on Stanley Park and English Bay, is the West End. This is the most densely populated area in all of Canada and it’s just minutes away from the 1,000 acre green space. Year-round, residents jog, hike, bike and roller-blade the ninekilometre seawall, kayak and fish the shoreline or escape into forested trails and botanical gardens. The downtown business core is within walking distance.
Coal Harbour, formerly a port section, is the newest residential neighbourhood,
and connects Stanley Park to downtown via a lushly landscaped seawall. Dominated by high-rises, it offers stunning views of the Burrard Inlet and North Vancouver. Desired by empty nesters and newcomers, Coal Harbour is one of Vancouver’s most expensive neighbourhoods. A convention centre at the foot of Burrard Street is expected to be completed before 2010.
South across the Burrard Street Bridge, Kitsilano, affectionately called “Kits” by locals, was famous as a hippie haven. Now, this up-scale suburb of tree-lined streets offers a mix of low-rise rental apartments, condos and older character homes often split into suites. The neighbourhood runs west from Burrard Street to Alma Street, and north from 16th Ave to Kitsilano Beach – the spot for spectacular sunsets.
Directly across False Creek from downtown, Fairview looks out at the Vancouver skyline, the ocean and the North Shore mountains. Granville Island, an old industrial land, houses Granville Island Public Market – a mecca for foodies. Fairview comprises
the neighbourhoods of False Creek, Fairview Slopes, Burrard Slopes and Fairview Heights. Condominiums seemingly pop up overnight to accommodate Vancouverites who want to live close to the area’s restaurants, upscale shops and art galleries.
West Point Grey is one of the city’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, with fine homes and estates, many with beachfront living and spectacular views of the city skyline and the North Shore mountains. Consisting primarily of large single-family homes, it stretches from the waterfront to 16th Avenue and from Alma Road in the east to the University Endowment Lands – a forested 763-hectare park on University of British Columbia property – in the west.
Dunbar-Southlands spreads south from 16th Avenue to the Fraser River, and west to the University of British Columbia Endowment Lands. Dunbar primarily has well-kept older homes while Southlands homes are more like
ranch-style estates.
Kerrisdale extends from Blenheim to Granville Street and Angus Drive and from 41st Avenue to SouthWest Marine Drive. With a vibrant shopping centre on 41st Avenue, Kerrisdale consists primarily of affluent single-family dwellings, with a mix of low- and high-rise apartments. Many of the homes of early settlers remain intact today, designed in architectural styles such as English Arts and Crafts, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and the Beaux Arts.
The Canadian Pacific Railway developed Shaughnessy in 1907 as an exclusive community for company executives and local gentry. Now movie stars buy up mansions on immaculately landscaped lots next to consulates and embassies. Winding tree-lined streets branch out from Granville Street and stretch from 16th to 41st Avenues and from West Boulevard to Oak Street.
The neighbouring areas of Quilchena and Mackenzie Heights are primarily single-family residential areas, with apartments and some view lots. South Granville Street provides mainly single-family dwellings with good-sized lots integrated with older homes.

Marpole
One of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, Marpole is also the first community visitors encounter when entering Vancouver from the south. It stretches between Angus Drive and Ontario Street and from 57th Avenue to the North Arm of the Fraser River. The area is a mix of bachelor suites, low-rise apartments and detached family homes. It also claims part of Main Street called Antique Row.

East Vancouver
This large area encompasses the culturally diverse neighbourhoods of Mount Pleasant, Riley Park-Little Mountain, Victoria-Fraserview, Kensington-Cedar Cottage, Killarney, Strathcona, Renfrew-Collingwood, Hastings-Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland. The area’s demographic has morphed from blue collar workers to a thriving community of young, urban professionals who can’t afford to buy on the west side so have turned to areas such as Mount Pleasant and Riley Park (between 7th and 30th). Many of them are buying into “Loftland,” around 7th and Main. The area known as SOMA – south of Main – has evolved into a hip, young and almost underground fashion district studded with innovative restaurants, similar to New York’s Noho district (north of Soho) and is fast becoming popular with young families.

The Commercial Drive district, in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood, is another popular area. “The Drive” is a cosmopolitan mix of southern European– Italian and Portuguese – restaurants and food stores, funky coffee bars and hangouts, unusual clothing stores, locally produced art and never-ending street activity.

The Greater Vancouver
Regional District
Pastoral farmland, quaint seaside towns,
mountain communities and even an
island surround the city of Vancouver,
making up the area known as the
Greater Vancouver Regional District
(GVRD). This corner of British Columbia
accounts for half the entire province’s
population. The following are profiles of
just some of the GVRD’s many communities.
NORTH SHORE
The Lions Gate Bridge links Vancouver’s
downtown to the North Shore, an
expansive 28 kilometres that contains
the city of North Vancouver, the districts
of North Vancouver and West Vancouver
and the village of Lions Bay.
North Vancouver
Nestled at the foot of the Coast Mountain
range, the city of North Vancouver is
located within the district of North Vancouver,
which stretches from the coastal
village of Deep Cove in the east to the
scenic Capilano River Canyon in the
west. North Van (coined by locals) has
an abundance of lush vegetation and
huge trees lining its streets and has a distinct
“outdoorsy” community vibe.
POPULATION: 135,597
HOUSING: The district of North Vancouver
is mostly single-family detached
housing, increasingly giving way to
higher-density development. The hub of
North Van is Lonsdale Quay, adjacent to
the SeaBus Terminal at the foot of Lonsdale
Street, and includes a market and
shops, waterfront park, and contemporary
townhouse and apartment units.
West Vancouver
West Vancouver residents enjoy the
highest per capita income in B.C. and
live in what is reputed to be the most
affluent community in Canada. West Van
spreads west to Horseshoe Bay and is
loosely bordered by the Capilano River
to the east, Burrard Inlet to the south,
and the mountains to the north. The village
of Ambleside sports commercial
buildings, elegant boutiques, restaurants,
coffee houses and unique storefronts.
And there are 59 acres of seaside
park and sandy beaches a few blocks
away. The city extends both west and
north up Cypress Mountain.
POPULATION: 51,538 (including
Bowen Island).
HOUSING: The most expensive real
estate in the Greater Vancouver area;
condos, duplexes, townhouses and single-
family homes are all available.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: Park Royal
consists of two malls, an upscale village
and a market that sells everything from
hardware to food to fashion.
TRANSPORTATION: West Vancouver
has its own Blue Bus service.
EAST: BURNABY AND
NEW WESTMINSTER
The third most populated urban area in
B.C., Burnaby is home to technology
research and business parks, comprehensive
industrial estates and major
post-secondary institutions (namely
Simon Fraser University and the B.C.
Institute of Technology). It also has
Metrotown, a massive retail complex
with its own SkyTrain station, and thousands
of acres of land devoted to parks
and good sporting facilities.
POPULATION: 204,324
HOUSING: High-density, single-family
residential areas with some attractive
older homes and a substantial increase
in new condominiums.
TRANSPORTATION: The area quickly
links with other centres such as Vancouver,
New Westminster and Surrey via the
SkyTrain.
New Westminster
On the north bank of the Fraser River,
New Westminster is the original provincial
capital.
POPULATION: 57,480
HOUSING: Varies between older heritage
homes and newer prestige condos
next to Westminster Quay, overlooking
the Fraser River.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Extensive revitalization
that has enhanced major streets
with impressive shopping facilities and
condominium development. A new
waterfront development extends two
kilometres along the Fraser River, with
70,000 square feet of public market.
Adjacent to the market, a new development
with five towers will contain 1,000
units along the Fraser River.
NORTHEAST:
COQUITLAM, PORT COQUITLAM,
PORT MOODY, PITT MEADOWS
AND
MAPLE RIDGE
Three municipalities make up the immediate
northeast sector of the Greater Vancouver
Regional District (GVRD); Port
Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
The largest of the three municipalities,
Coquitlam is a popular suburb 30 to
45 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
It is blessed with the rugged wilderness
of the Coastal Mountains and southern
slopes overlooking the Fraser River.
POPULATION: 210,428
HOUSING: A diverse array of styles,
from modern to heritage buildings in the
southwest pocket. Lots of options, including
town homes and single-family
homes. The charming French-Canadian
community of Maillardville (the Lower
Mainland’s oldest francophone settlement)
has undergone a recent revitalization.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: Major
retailers such as IKEA and Linens ‘N
Things are here, and so is the David Lam
Campus of Douglas College, the Evergreen
Cultural Centre, an aquatic centre
and a sports stadium.
Port Coquitlam offers a central location
with easy access to rail, highways,
ports and air facilities. Affordable industrial
land, low lease rates and a diverse
industry base make the city an attractive
industrial location.
POPULATION: 57,000
HOUSING: Housing ranges from rowhousing
to townhouse development and
condominiums, mainly built in the past
30 years, to multi-family housing, ranchers
and executive homes. The downtown
core features mixed use developments
with commercial below, residential
above.
THINGS TO DO: Opportunities for
walking, running, cycling, horseback
riding and wildlife-viewing abound on
the 25 kilometre Traboulay PoCo Trail,
which encircles the city and passes
along the Fraser, Pitt and Coquitlam
Rivers.
Port Moody
Surrounded by water, mountains and
forested hillsides, Port Moody is located
at the head of Burrard Inlet just east of
Burnaby and west of Coquitlam. The area
contains large tracts of environmentally
sensitive land including salmon-bearing
streams and temperate rainforest.
POPULATION: 29,000
HOUSING: New neighbourhoods feature
mixed housing types, dedicated
green space and school sites. Many homes
in this area have magnificent views of
Burrard Inlet.
Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge
Officially two separate municipalities,
Maple Ridge and the District of Pitt
Meadows share many community services,
including school districts and a
police force.
With one of the lowest residential tax
rates in the GVRD and an ample supply
of residential, commercial and industrial
land, the semi-rural community of Pitt
Meadows is an ideal place to retire or
raise a family.
POPULATION: 16,000
BUSINESS: Blueberry, cranberry and
strawberry growing, as well as greenhouse
operations, nurseries and dairy
farming.
Maple Ridge is a community of urban
sophistication that retains a sense of
rural charm. It is bordered by the Golden
Ears Mountains to the north and the
Fraser River to the south.
POPULATION: 73,000
HOUSING: It includes executive homes,
adult lifestyle and single and multi-family
homes. Many offer spectacular views
and are still affordable. A downtown
revitalization program has stimulated
residential building activity in the area.
TRANSPORTATION: The new Golden
Ears Bridge and new Pitt River Bridges
are scheduled to be completed in 2009
and will directly improve the connec
tions between Maple Ridge and all key
transportation routes. The new bridges
will create an express link between
Maple Ridge, on the north side of the
Fraser River, and Highway 1 and U.S.
border crossings to the south.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: The Maple
Ridge Town Centre is the focus of community
life in the area, with its state-ofthe-
art leisure/youth centre complex,
library and performing arts centre, which
feature many programs and activities.
Numerous boutique-type stores are
located in the area. A full-service hospital
along with an extensive network of
community and recreation services is
well-established in the community.
BUSINESS: Retail trade, manufacturing,
public sector and construction.
THINGS TO DO: Arts and recreation
facilities abound: the Maple Ridge Town
Centre offers an abundance of opportunities
in the area, offering a state-of-theart
leisure/youth centre complex, library
and performing arts centre.
SOUTH: RICHMOND, DELTA
The location of the Vancouver International
Airport in Richmond provided a
boost to this city of islands between the
north and south arms of the Fraser River.
Tens of thousands of immigrants, mainly
from Asian countries, call Richmond
home.
POPULATION: 173,430 (41,000 City of
Richmond)
HOUSING: A blend of single-family
homes, apartments and condominiums,
townhouses and duplexes. Forty condominium
high-rises are under construction;
they will be centered around five
Canada Line (see TRANSPORTATION,
below) “urban villages”.
BUSINESS: The aerospace industry is an
important contributor, as well as tourism,
technology, light manufacturing, airport
services, agriculture, fishing, government
services and retail.
THINGS TO DO: The old Steveston
docks are a great place to buy fresh-offthe-
boat fish or just sit and enjoy a meal.
TRANSPORTATION: Highway 7 is the
main route through this portion of the
Greater Vancouver area. Commuters are
also served by the Westcoast Express
train and BC Transit bus services. Canada
Line (to be completed in 2009) is a
rail rapid transit line connecting Central
Richmond, the airport and Sea Island
along the Cambie Corridor to Central
Broadway and Downtown Vancouver.
Named for the delta upon which it
sits, this region 20 kilometres south of
Vancouver is comprised of three main
residential communities: North Delta,
Ladner and Tsawwassen. About half the
population resides in North Delta. Ladner
is an older, smaller community and
Tsawwassen is home to the ferry terminal,
which shuttles passengers to Victoria
and the Gulf Islands.
POPULATION: 103,179
HOUSING: Condominiums, apartments,
townhouses, medium-priced homes and
exclusive executive homes.
TRANSPORTATION: Linked to the rest
of the mainland by the George Massey
Tunnel, which passes under the Fraser
River, Delta is also accessible by bus,
rail, water, aircraft and major highways
in all directions.
SOUTHEAST: SURREY, WHITE
ROCK, LANGLEY
The second largest city in B.C., and just
south of Vancouver, Surrey has a population
that is expected to surpass Vancouver’s
within 20 years.
POPULATION: 413,027
HOUSING: Most of the new home
development in Greater Vancouver is
happening in Surrey, from large, executive homes to innovative small village
homes to townhouses and condos.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: Citizens
enjoy libraries, seniors’ centres and public
recreation facilities. A campus of
Simon Fraser University is accessible by
public buses and SkyTrain.
THINGS TO DO: There are 88 parks in
5,600 acres, as well as 15 golf courses
and driving ranges.
TRANSPORTATION: Convenient access
to Vancouver International Airport, two
U.S. border crossings, six major highways,
rail and a deep-sea port. The South
Fraser perimeter road will soon connect
the new Golden Ears Bridge with all of
the major transportation routes.
BUSINESS: More than 14,000 businesses
call Surrey home; commercial and
industrial development is growing at a
furious pace.
White Rock
Forty-five kilometres from Vancouver,
White Rock is a charming seaside community,
clustered around a five-kilometre
sandy beach. Sixteen local golf courses
and a moderate climate make this
area a preferred retirement spot.
POPULATION: 78,873 (including South
Surrey; City of White Rock: 19,000)
HOUSING: Much of the city remains
single family housing, while more afford -
able townhouses and condominiums are
found north of 16th Avenue into South
Surrey. In White Rock, several new condominium
developments will offer spectacular
views of the water, and commercial
development is underway.
THINGS TO DO: Parallel to the beach,
Marine Drive offers great restaurants,
galleries and sidewalk cafés. A long pier
is a popular walking destination.
TRANSPORTATION: Dedicated bus and
high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes
make getting into Vancouver easier.
Langley
Located in the eastern portion of the
Greater Vancouver Regional District,
Langley is the name of both the district
and the city at its centre. The district
stretches from the Canada/US border
north to the Fraser River.
POPULATION: 123,398 (combining city
and township)
HOUSING: This city has townhouses
and condominiums and established single
family neighbourhoods, while singlefamily
homes predominate in the suburban
area south of the Nicomekl River.
Houses tend to be smaller and more
affordable than Vancouver’s in this active
market.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: Phenomenal
growth in both an established downtown
core and a big-box retail strip.
THINGS TO DO: The city of Langley has
21 parks and open spaces. The Canadian
Museum of Flight and the Greater Vancouver
Zoo are in Langley.
TRANSPORTATION: Just off the Trans-
Canada Highway (Hwy 1), Langley is
less than an hour’s drive from Vancouver.
The Albion Ferry carries motorists across
the Fraser River to Hwy 7 on the north
shore. The Golden Ears Bridge will soon
connect Langley with everything north
of the Fraser River.
BUSINESSES: Agriculture plays a major
role in its economy, but manufacturing
takes up the largest portion of the labour
force.
OF INTEREST: Quaint, historic Fort Langley
was the first European establishment
in the Fraser Valley and the official
birthplace of British Columbia.
Fraser Valley Regional District
The wide Fraser Valley runs parallel to
the U.S. border, between the Coast
Mountains and the Cascades. Except for
the urban areas of Abbotsford, Mission
and Chilliwack, almost all of the fertile
land is rural, and supports farming,
forestry, and outdoor recreation. Residents
of the Fraser Valley are close to the
many popular provincial parks and
lakes. The average price of a single family
detached home in the Fraser Valley
rose 18.5 percent from 2005.
Abbotsford is at the centre of the
Valley, about 70 kilometres from downtown
Vancouver, and is one of the
fastest-growing communities in British
Columbia.
POPULATION: 128,166
HOUSING: Abbotsford has a large
urban core of neighbourhoods such as
Clearbrook and Glenn Mountain.
Surrounding the core are the rural farming
communities of Bradner, Matsqui
Village, Clayburn, Barrow-town and
Huntingdon.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: The city
centre is the main retail hub for the Fraser
Valley, offering a wide variety of stores
and services. The Abbotsford Downtown
Business Association is working to revitalize
the historic shopping district.
FYI: Dubbed the “Raspberry Capital of
Canada,” Abbotsford shows off the
bounty of its many raspberry, blueberry
and strawberry farms each summer during
the Abbotsford Berry Festival.
TRANSPORTATION: Easily accessible
via the Trans Canada Highway and
expansion is planned for the Abbotsford
airport.
Vancouver Island
Located off the west coast of mainland
British Columbia, Vancouver Island –
Canada’s equivalent of the Hawaiian
islands – is home to more than 700,000
people. The tenth largest island in Canada,
it is bigger than some European
countries. Major cities on Vancouver
Island include Nanaimo, Parksville,
Courtenay, Campbell River and the capital
city, Victoria.
Baby boomers are flocking in huge
numbers to the Gulf Islands, which are
part of Vancouver Island, to secure
retirement properties, whether in the
form of land or existing homes. Prices
vary based on amenities, and some
islands, such as Gabriola and Saltspring,
have it all – from wireless hook-up to
floatplane service direct to Vancouver
International Airport.
GREATER VICTORIA
Covering the southern end of Vancouver
Island, Greater Victoria or The Capital
Regional District comprises 13 separate
municipalities. Almost half of Vancouver
Island’s population lives in the Greater
Victoria area.
Victoria
The city of Victoria is a world-renowned
tourist destination, revered for its stunning
gardens and ubiquitous hanging
baskets, well-maintained heritage buildings
and great shops.
POPULATION: 77,538
(Greater Victoria: 325,754)
LOCATION: On the southern tip of Vancouver
Island, 90 minutes from Vancouver
via ferry or 35 minutes by air.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: Downtown
retail activity revolves around the redbricked
Government Street, the location
of the Bay Centre, restaurants and
numerous boutique shops.
BUSINESS: Government services, tourism,
high tech, and education are the major
industries in Victoria.
HOUSING: The residential construction
industry is booming and a one-third
increase in growth is predicted within 20
years. The downtown core and shoulder
communities are peppered with condominium
developments, including the
Dockside, a world class development
project on the waterfront in the Vic West
community and an eight-acre development
on the Inner Harbour. Housing
prices are lower than Vancouver’s,
though higher than other Island locations.
Sales are down slightly from last
year, and prices are increasing at a modest
pace compared to previous years.
TRANSPORTATION: Airport and ferry.
Cowichan Valley and Duncan
The Cowichan Valley – also known as
Canada’s Provence – is home to more
than a dozen wineries. It includes the
communities of Duncan, Crofton,
Chemainus, Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay,
Yobu, Cowichan Bay, Lake Cowichan
and Cobble Hill.
Mild weather and beautiful surroundings
make this area appealing to retirees,
artists, families and baby boomers escaping
bigger urban centres.
At the seat of the Cowichan Valley,
Duncan is 50 miles from both Victoria to
the south and Nanaimo to the north.
Duncan is “The City of Totems” and has
the world’s largest totem pole.
POPULATION: Cowichan Valley: 77,561,
City of Duncan: 4,812, Greater Duncan
Area: 42,218
HOUSING:
The first wave of baby boomer retirees
has hit southern Vancouver Island, particularly
in the Cobble Hill and Shawnigan
Lake area, buying up hobby farms,
luxury waterfront homes and smaller,
recreational get-aways.
TRANSPORTATION:
Access via ferries and air to Vancouver
and Seattle. The Island Highway connects
all the communities of the island to
the Cowichan Valley roads. Local transit
service and Gray Hound Lines provide
inter-city connections. The Nanaimo Airport
offers several daily 15 minute flights
to Vancouver.
AMENITIES: The commercial centre,
four city blocks, boasts interesting shops,
restaurants and services and a lively
year-round outdoor market.
MANY COMMUNITY SERVICES: Four
hockey rinks, a theatre, five libraries, a
curling rink and museums. Malaspina
Community College serves Vancouver
Island.
BUSINESS: Duncan is home to the BC
Forest Discovery Centre. Before the U.S.-
Canada softwood lumber dispute, Duncan
and the Cowichan Valley were a key
lumber centre in British Columbia. The
pulp mill in Crofton is thriving.
Nanaimo
The second largest city on Vancouver
Island, Nanaimo is the centre of a thriving
tourist industry based on world-class
sports fishing, sailing and scuba diving,
and on Diana Krall.
POPULATION: 78,271; Regional 137,
580
HOUSING: A full spectrum of housing
options, from high-rise apartments to
large country acreages, many with spectacular
views. Rental units are in good
supply.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: Eight major
shopping malls, plus other outlets.
BUSINESS: Historically coal mining,
forestry and commercial fishing dominated
Nanaimo’s economy. Now tourism,
retail and wholesale trade, construction,
manufacturing, technology companies
and government services also play a significant
part. Cruise ships drop anchor
here and a huge convention centre project
is underway.
TRANSPORTATION: It’s the distribution
centre for the island with two main ferry
terminals, Departure Bay and Duke
Point. Nanaimo-Cassidy Airport offers
several flights daily to Vancouver.
Parksville, Qualicum Beach
These ocean communities are centrally
located on Vancouver Island, a 30-
minute drive north of Nanaimo. They
were originally summer vacation spots.
However, expansive sandy beaches, six
local golf courses and an abundance of
cottages have made them desirable for
retirees.
POPULATION: Parksville 11,245;
Qualicum Beach: 7,383
HOUSING: Upscale housing fronts local
golf courses or provides panoramic
views of the Strait of Georgia.
AMENITIES AND SERVICES: Parksville is
the major commercial centre. Qualicum
Beach, with its flower-lined esplanade,
B&Bs and friendly country atmosphere,
contributes to the popularity of this
growing tourist area.
FYI: The climate here is one of the
mildest in Canada with 2,000-plus hours
of annual sunshine.
Comox Valley
The valley includes the town of Comox,
city of Courtenay, village of Cumberland
and Areas A, B, and C of the Comox-
Strathcona Regional District.
POPULATION: 58,252
LOCATION: Nearly halfway up the East
Coast of Vancouver Island, 225 kilometres
north of Victoria.
HOUSING: Comox Valley housing represents
some of the most affordable on Vancouver
Island. Options include ocean -
front condominiums, forested subdivisions
and rural acreages.
BUSINESS: Forestry, fishing and mining,
agriculture, salmon farming, and tourism.
THINGS TO DO: World-renowned
sports-fishing hot spot.
Campbell River
Campbell River is the hub of the North
Central Island region. Known as the
salmon capital of the world, the city is
famous for both its ocean and freshwater
fishing.
POPULATION: 30,170
THINGS TO DO: Water fun includes
scuba diving, freshwater and ocean fishing,
sea kayaking and whitewater rafting.
BUSINESS: A growing forestry industry,
from logging companies to pulp mills
and sawmill operations. Mining yields a
diverse range of products, including
zinc, copper, lead, gold, silver and coal.
FYI: Campbell River’s rich native heritage
is proudly showcased in the Campbell
River Museum.
Port Alberni and the Alberni Valley
Centrally located Alberni Valley is B.C.’s
most western deep seaport. While serious
about industry and business, it offers
outdoor recreation in a pristine environment.
POPULATION: 18,000
(Alberni Valley, 27,000)
HOUSING: Diverse and affordable.
Options include lakefront, ocean view,
rural acreages and ranchers accessible to
urban amenities.
BUSINESS: Forestry and associated
industry, and now thriving tourism, professional
and government sectors.
THINGS TO DO: Salmon Capital of the
World, famous for lake activities and
mountain adventures.
FYI: The First Nations including the
Hupacasath and Tseshaht have developed
state-of-the-art Forest Services and
micro hydro-electric projects.
Sea to Sky Country
Beginning at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal
(20 minutes north of Vancouver),
the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99)
winds its way through stunning scenery.
Towering rock faces plunge into the sea,
waterfalls cascade from cliffs above,
whitewater rivers rush by and glaciers
sparkle from distant peaks rising out of
the Howe Sound.
This area is best known as the home
of Whistler, a ski-resort municipality and
North America’s number one ski destination.
Two mountains (Whistler and
Blackcomb) offer more than 7,000 acres
of prime skiing and boarding terrain, 12
massive alpine bowls and three glaciers.
Since this ski paradise is the epicentre of
the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic
Games, construction is well
underway to create more accommodations
and about $90 million in new winter
sports venues. The Sea to Sky Highway
is also being upgraded.
The District of Squamish is located on
the Sea To Sky Highway halfway
between Vancouver and Whistler.
POPULATION: 16,000 (34,000: Greater
Squamish)
HOUSING: Primarily detached homes
with some duplexes and semi-detached
houses, all still affordable.
THINGS TO DO: The “Outdoor Recreation
Capital of Canada” provides opportunities
for diving, windsurfing, swimming,
boating and fishing. Biking, hiking,
birding, rock climbing and mountaineering
provide opportunities for outdoor
enthusiasts year-round.
Thompson Okanagan
In the southern portion of central B.C.,
the Thompson Okanagan region sits
about 400 kilometres east of Vancouver.
In the south lies irrigated desert-like land,
complete with cacti and rattlesnakes, fed
by a reservoir of blue-water lakes. To the
north, sagebrush and sandy soil transform
into lush vineyards and orchards in
the Okanagan Valley.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is where
you’ll find the true Wild West, complete
with real-life cowboys, cattle ranches
and even a B.C. Gold Rush Trail. Three
unique areas make up this central area of
the province: the Cariboo, Chilcotin and
the Central Coast, with landscape varying
from rolling semi-desert, to canyons,
flat grasslands, rivers, lakes, mountains,
old growth forest and ocean inlets.
Kootenay Rockies
There are two things that really define the
Kootenay region – water and mountains.
Five parallel mountain ranges, including
the Monashees, Selkirks, and the worldfamous
Rockies, mark this southeastern
region of British Columbia. Kootenay
Lake, one of the province’s largest freshwater
lakes, at over 105 kilometres long,
is also found here. And winding through
it all is the majestic Columbia River,
which begins at its source, Columbia
Lake, before making the long journey
down to the United States.
Upper and Lower Sunshine Coast
Named for its 2,400 hours of annual
sunshine, the Sunshine Coast stretches
180 kilometres along the Strait of Georgia.
Scenic bays, islands, inlets and rainforest
make up its sensational coastline.
Technically part of the mainland, the
Sunshine Coast feels more like an island
and is accessible only by ferry or plane.
Northern British Columbia
Northern B.C’s wild and remote landscape
is ideal for those who prefer Northern
Lights to traffic lights. This unique area
stretches from the plains of Alberta in the
east, across the Rocky Mountain Foothills
to the Coast Mountains in the west. It
includes the mythical and mist-shrouded
Queen Charlotte Islands – 150 of them,
located 100 kilometres off the West Coast
– which are so beautiful and diverse
they’re nicknamed “Canada’s Galapagos.”
Grizzlies, moose, black bear, caribou,
wolves and elk all call Northern B.C.
home. So do other species you won’t find
anywhere else, such as the stone ram or
the extremely rare “white” black bear,