Vancouver
British Columbia, Canada
  • Vancouver Vancouver is a place for good vistas, good living and good times. Credit:  Rick A. (rick) (flickr) [CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Vancouver
    Vancouver is a place for good vistas, good living and good times.

One of world's most liveable cities

Known the world over as one of the most liveable cities anywhere, the seaport of Vancouver thrives as a beautiful destination for its parks, beaches and people, who are among the most ethnically diverse in the world. 

Its natural environment provides an array of scenic environments -- from nearby ski slopes in the mountains to windsurfing opportunities in the ocean and all sorts of golf courses in between.  With one of the mildest of Canadian climates that can allow palm trees to grow, Vancouver gets a lot of winter rain, but if you wait a few minutes -- you may just get a lot of sun. 

Lots to do in this super cool place

A comparatively young city with a metropolitan population of 2.6 million, Vancouver offers historic sites, such as the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology's collection of First Nations objects.  It is home to Stanley Park at the tip of the downtown peninsula where outdoor enthusiasts can bike and hike for miles and miles. 

Cultural offerings include North America's second largest Chinatown, an aquarium, festivals, professional sports and more.  Visitors enjoy a plethora of dining and shopping opportunities.

Climate

  • Oceanic

Physical Environment

  • City with at least one 50-story building
  • Beaches within 25 miles

Culture

  • Major public college in downtown
  • Local professional ballet
  • Fine art museum
  • Local film festival
  • Ethnic restaurants
  • Active club/bar/music scene
  • Local professional symphony
  • Local community theatre

Politics

  • Leaning liberal

Economy

  • $$$$ -- Things cost more than you'd expect

Recreation

  • Casino gaming within 25 miles
  • Year-round fitness swimming center
  • Nearby surfing
  • Public golf course
  • Downtown yoga studio
  • Biking, hiking, running trails
  • Professional sports
  • Snow skiing within 50 miles

Infrastructure

  • Public squares
  • Working farms within 25 miles
  • Vibrant public transportation system
  • Lots of downtown living space
  • Safe bike corridors
  • Mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods
  • International airport

Health

  • Community senior center
  • Community swimming pool
  • Public-assisted (govt.) health insurance
  • Emergency medical services within 25 miles
  • University teaching hospital