Living in Vancouver

The City

Vancouver, BC Canada – is a vibrant, multi-cultural city set in a spectacular natural environment. The city played host to the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games and proved to the world exactly why Vancouver is ranked as one of the best places to live in the world. Whether strolling along the sands of the Pacific Ocean beaches, taking jumps with your snowboard off the snow-filled mountains, or window shopping along the high-fashion Robson Street area, Vancouver is a year-round paradise for city and outdoors-minded people alike. The city is clean and safe.

Vancouver bursts with city life and cultural neighborhoods. In the heart of downtown is Robson Street – a designer shopper’s dream for fashion and gourmet fare. Just west of Robson is Stanley Park, one of the largest city parks in North America with the Stanley Park Seawall and its fabulous views of the city and harbour. Vancouver is a collection of neighborhoods – from the unique shops and European bistros of trendy Yaletown to the outdoor cafes of laid-back Kitsilano – where there are always places to go and things to do.

This city of two million people is Canada’s western gateway to Far East Asia, Eurasia, New Zealand and Australia, and to the United States of America. It is also British Columbia’s major education and service industry centre.

The People

Canadians are known all over the world to be friendly, hospitable people who welcome visitors from all over the world. The population itself is a very multicultural group and is made up of people from all different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. In fact, asides from the indigenous aboriginals who make up only 3.8% of the population in Canada, all Canadians or their ancestors are actually immigrants.

Equality

Canada enjoys a society that is open and relatively free of class distinctions. Most Canadians take pride in the fact that all people deserve the same rights and respect, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or cultural background. People in Canada usually resent comments that seem disrespectful to anyone from a particular background.

Climate

The climate in Canada varies widely from one region to another. The Vancouver area benefits from a microclimate, thanks to its geographic location between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. Temperatures in Vancouver vary between 0 and 15 degrees Celsius in the winter and 20-30 degrees Celsius in the summer.

To see the current weather in Vancouver –> www.theweathernetwork.com.

When not at work or formal activities, Canadians often dress quite casual. Most restaurants do not require a tie or jacket. Although the climate is moderate, there are seasons. The information below will give you an idea of what clothing to bring.

Winter

Vancouver has a particularly wet winter so make sure to pack your raincoat and umbrella. In southern British Columbia, the thermostat rarely falls below 0 degrees Celsius. December to March remains the ideal season for winter-sports enthusiasts who can enjoy many activities only 20-30 minutes from the city (skiing, snowboarding, skating etc.). Warm clothing is essential during this season (coat, scarf, hat, gloves, wool sweaters, and boots) if you plan on visiting the mountains.