Move to Vancouver Canada Blog

Let me share something I've observed over nearly two decades in Vancouver real estate: people don't just move here for a job or a house. They move here for a life they can't find anywhere else.

Metro Vancouver regularly ranks in the top 10 most livable cities globally. The Economist Intelligence Unit placed Vancouver 5th worldwide in 2023—the highest ranking in Canada. Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living index put Vancouver joint 7th globally.

These aren't marketing claims. They're independently verified assessments of what this region offers: spectacular natural beauty, economic opportunity, world-class infrastructure, and a genuinely welcoming multicultural community.

After helping over 1,000 families relocate here, I can tell you the rankings reflect reality. Let me walk you through why Metro Vancouver earns its reputation as one of the world's premier destinations.

Natural Beauty That Becomes Part of Your Daily Life

Most cities talk about outdoor recreation as a weekend activity. In Metro Vancouver, it's woven into the fabric of daily life.

The Setting is Extraordinary

Mountains rise to the north. The Pacific Ocean stretches to the west. Rainforests, lakes, and rivers surround the urban areas. This isn't scenery you admire from a distance—it's landscape you live within.

Stanley Park alone offers 400 hectares of rainforest with miles of seawall trails, beaches, and wildlife—right in the urban core. The region's extensive parkland system provides residents with immediate access to nature regardless of which municipality they call home.

Year-Round Outdoor Activities

Summer brings hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and beach days. Winter opens up skiing and snowboarding at Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and world-renowned Whistler—all within easy reach. Spring and fall offer their own rewards with moderate temperatures perfect for trail running, cycling, and exploring coastal areas.

This wealth of outdoor opportunity attracts active families, professionals seeking work-life balance, and retirees who want to stay engaged and healthy. The lifestyle isn't aspirational—it's accessible and repeatable.

Quality of Life: The Data Backs Up the Experience

Vancouver's high livability rankings reflect tangible factors that improve daily life:

Strong Public Services and Safety

British Columbia maintains one of the lowest crime-severity indexes in Canada. The region provides excellent emergency services, community policing, and public infrastructure that residents rely on daily.

Canada ranks 11th out of 163 nations on the 2023 Global Peace Index, reflecting low violent crime and political stability. For families relocating internationally, this peace of mind is invaluable.

Economic Strength

Metro Vancouver's economy is diverse and robust. As of mid-2025, British Columbia's unemployment rate was just 5.6%—well below the national average of 6.9%. The region provides jobs for over half of BC's workforce and contributes more than $150 billion in GDP annually.

Key industries include information technology, film and TV production, tourism, international trade, transportation, and clean technology. This economic diversity creates opportunities across professional fields and career stages.

A Genuinely Multicultural Community

Metro Vancouver isn't just diverse—it's actively welcoming.

Approximately 42% of Vancouver residents were immigrants as of the 2021 census. The city government describes Vancouver as "a mix of different religions, ethnicities, and cultural groups from all over the world," and explicitly values this diversity as a source of strength and prosperity.

This multiculturalism manifests in vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown and Punjabi Market, in world-class cuisine representing dozens of cultures, and in community festivals celebrating traditions from around the globe.

What This Means Practically

The region offers inclusive programs and multilingual services that help newcomers settle successfully. Whether you're relocating from another country or another province, you'll find established communities and support systems.

For families raising children here, this multicultural environment provides invaluable exposure to different perspectives and traditions—preparing them for success in an increasingly connected world.

World-Class Education and Healthcare

Metro Vancouver's infrastructure for education and healthcare ranks among the best globally.

Education Excellence

The University of British Columbia ranks 40th globally. The region also hosts Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and numerous colleges and technical institutes.

Public and private schools throughout the region maintain high standards. Vancouver scored a perfect 100 for education on the Economist's livability index—reflecting not just university quality but excellence across all educational levels.

Healthcare Infrastructure

Vancouver also earned a perfect 100 for healthcare in the same assessment. British Columbia maintains one of Canada's highest life expectancies and low cancer mortality rates, indicating strong overall health outcomes.

The region's hospitals, medical centers, and specialized care facilities provide comprehensive coverage. For families and retirees, this healthcare infrastructure offers both immediate access and long-term confidence.

Transportation: Convenient, Sustainable, Connected

Getting around Metro Vancouver offers genuine alternatives to car dependency.

Robust Transit Network

TransLink operates SkyTrain (rapid transit), buses, SeaBus ferries, and rapid bus routes—forming Canada's second-highest per-capita transit system behind only Montreal. In 2024, transit trips grew by 3% (an extra 7.7 million rides) while driving increased only 1%, demonstrating the system's reliability and appeal.

Walkable, Bikeable Communities

Vancouver's urban core regularly tops Canadian walkability rankings with a Walk Score around 79.8. Many neighborhoods allow residents to handle daily errands and access amenities entirely on foot.

Miles of dedicated bike lanes and greenways support cycling as genuine transportation—not just recreation. This well-integrated transit and active-transport network makes urban living easier, healthier, and more sustainable.

Sustainability Leadership

Vancouver takes environmental responsibility seriously—and delivers measurable results.

The city set a goal of 100% renewable electricity and had already reached approximately 95% by 2023. The Climate Emergency Action Plan calls for cutting carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

Vancouver's Greenest City policies promote energy-efficient buildings, zero-waste initiatives, urban forests, and clean transportation. These aren't just policy documents—they translate into extensive recycling programs, electric buses, green building standards, and protected urban nature.

For environmentally conscious families and professionals, this commitment to sustainability represents values in action, not just rhetoric.

Housing Diversity Across the Region

Metro Vancouver offers remarkable variety in both neighborhoods and housing types.

Neighborhood Options

Within Vancouver proper, choose from dense downtown living, historic districts like Gastown and Yaletown, or tree-lined residential communities like Kitsilano and the West End. Surrounding municipalities add suburban family neighborhoods, waterfront villages (like Deep Cove), and diverse communities from Burnaby to Surrey to Richmond.

Housing Types

Urban condos and townhouses dominate downtown. Single-family homes and duplexes are common in outlying areas. The region's 10-year housing strategy calls for 83,000 new homes of all sizes and tenures across every neighborhood.

This variety allows singles, young families, established families, and retirees to find suitable housing in communities that match their lifestyle preferences—whether urban, suburban, or semi-rural.

Economic Opportunity Across Industries

Metro Vancouver's economy creates opportunities for diverse professional backgrounds:

• Technology: Growing tech sector with major companies and innovative startups

• Film & TV Production: Vancouver is "Hollywood North" with extensive production infrastructure

• International Trade: Major ports and transportation hubs drive commerce

• Tourism & Hospitality: Year-round destination for domestic and international visitors

• Clean Technology: Growing sector aligned with sustainability priorities

• Finance & Professional Services: Regional headquarters for major institutions

The strong employment market (5.6% unemployment rate) and economic diversity mean professionals can build careers without leaving the region—and entrepreneurs find supportive ecosystems for launching ventures.

The Metro Vancouver Advantage

What makes Metro Vancouver truly special is how all these factors work together.

The natural beauty isn't separate from urban life—it's integrated into daily routines. The strong economy doesn't come at the expense of quality of life—it supports excellent public services and infrastructure. The multicultural community isn't just diverse—it's actively inclusive and welcoming.

You can ski in the morning and have dinner at a waterfront restaurant in the evening. You can raise children in safe neighborhoods with excellent schools while building a career in a dynamic economy. You can retire surrounded by natural beauty while maintaining access to world-class healthcare and cultural amenities.

Why Families Choose to Stay

Here's what I've noticed after two decades: families who relocate to Metro Vancouver typically don't leave.

They come for a job opportunity or a lifestyle change. They stay because their kids thrive in the schools and outdoor environment. They stay because the career opportunities continue to develop. They stay because they've built community connections and can't imagine living anywhere else.

The high livability rankings aren't abstract scores—they reflect the tangible experience of daily life in a region that offers both natural beauty and urban sophistication, economic opportunity and work-life balance, cultural diversity and strong community.

Is Metro Vancouver Right for You?

If you're considering relocation, the question isn't whether Metro Vancouver ranks highly on global lists—it clearly does. The question is whether what makes Vancouver rank highly aligns with what matters to you and your family.

Do you value access to nature as part of daily life? Do you want your children raised in a genuinely multicultural environment? Do you prioritize sustainability and public transit? Do you want economic opportunity within a region that also offers exceptional quality of life?

If these priorities resonate, Metro Vancouver deserves serious consideration.

After helping over 1,000 families relocate here, I can provide honest insights about neighborhoods, market conditions, and what daily life actually looks like across different parts of the region. No sales pitches—just real experience and data-driven guidance.

If you're ready to explore whether Metro Vancouver is the right destination for your family's next chapter, let's talk.

About Roland Kym

Roland Kym brings nearly two decades of experience in the Vancouver real-estate market to his work at Move to Vancouver Canada. Having completed over 1,000 transactions, Roland has developed a streamlined system dedicated to helping professionals, families and international buyers relocate smoothly and confidently.

He knows the region inside and out—from neighbourhoods and school zones to market trends and cross-border considerations. His approach is not about selling dreams, but delivering results. On this blog he draws on his real-world relocation expertise to give you clear, actionable guidance so you can make Vancouver your next home without the guesswork.

Let me be direct: decluttering isn't sexy, but it's one of the most impactful activities you can do whether you're selling your home or preparing for a move. After nearly two decades and over 1,000 transactions, I've seen how this single action can add thousands to a sale price or make a relocation infinitely more manageable.

The truth is, most people overthink this process. They wait until the last minute, get overwhelmed, and either don't do it at all or do it poorly. That's a costly mistake. Let me break down two specific, repeatable strategies based on your situation.

Strategy One: Decluttering to Stage Your Home for Sale

When you're listing your home, you're not living there anymore—you're running a business. Your product is the property, and clutter is killing your margins.

The data backs this up: Decluttering and depersonalizing can boost your sale price by 3-10% and speed up the sale. Buyers need to see themselves in the space, not your family photos or collections. That's not about aesthetics—it's about buyer psychology.

Here's your system:

Clear the counters completely. Kitchens sell homes. Remove everything—toasters, appliances, fridge magnets. Make it look like nobody lives there. A bowl of fruit is fine. Everything else goes.

Depersonalize ruthlessly. Take down personal photos and quirky décor. Create a neutral canvas. This isn't personal—it's strategic. Buyers are forming opinions within seconds of walking through your door.

Show off storage space. Closets should be half-full and organized. Buyers will look inside them. Overstuffed storage signals "not enough space." Half-full storage signals "room for all my stuff."

Focus on the entry. First impressions aren't just important—they're everything. A cluttered foyer tells buyers the home is poorly maintained before they even see the rest of the house.

At the end of the day, staging is about creating a calm, open environment where buyers can project their future. Clutter creates mental stress. Organization creates emotional connection. It's that simple.

Strategy Two: Decluttering for Downsizing and Moving

Moving into a smaller space requires a different mindset. This isn't about staging—it's about making tough choices about years of accumulated belongings. The five-year-plan mentality applies here too: you're not just moving boxes, you're setting up your next chapter.

Start with a plan. Begin several months in advance if possible. Break it into manageable tasks—one room per week, one category at a time. Schedule it on your calendar like any other important activity. Discipline wins here.

Use the four-box method. Every item goes into one of four categories: Keep, Donate, Sell, or Trash. No "maybe" pile. No "I'll decide later" pile. Make a decision and move on. This system is repeatable and prevents you from just shuffling clutter around.

Measure your new space. Get the floor plan. Know your dimensions. That sectional sofa might not fit. Make data-driven decisions about what comes with you, not emotional ones.

Be ruthless, not reckless. Ask yourself: "Have I used this in the last year?" If not, it goes. But don't throw away genuine heirlooms on a tough day. Keep what truly matters. Let go of the "just in case" duplicates.

Donate, sell, or recycle the excess. Why pay to move things you don't need? Plus, knowing your former belongings will benefit someone else makes letting go easier. It's practical and purposeful.

The reality? Decluttering before a move is hard work—physically and emotionally. Pace yourself. Take breaks. Enlist help from family or hire a professional organizer if needed. This isn't about perfection—it's about progress.

The Bottom Line

Whether you're staging to sell or preparing to downsize, decluttering is a system, not a feeling. It requires discipline and consistent activity. But the payoff is real: higher sale prices, faster transactions, less moving stress, and a fresh start in your new space.

It's not complicated. Start early. Work methodically. Make decisions based on data and your goals, not emotion and procrastination.

If you're preparing to list your Vancouver home or planning a move and want a proven system that works, let's talk. I've guided hundreds of clients through this exact process.

About Roland Kym

Roland Kym brings nearly two decades of experience in the Vancouver real-estate market to his work at Move to Vancouver Canada. Having completed over 1,000 transactions, Roland has developed a streamlined system dedicated to helping professionals, families and international buyers relocate smoothly and confidently.

He knows the region inside and out—from neighbourhoods and school zones to market trends and cross-border considerations. His approach is not about selling dreams, but delivering results. On this blog he draws on his real-world relocation expertise to give you clear, actionable guidance so you can make Vancouver your next home without the guesswork.

Let me be direct: if you're new to Vancouver or thinking about relocating here, understanding what this city does during the holidays matters. It tells you about the culture, the community rhythms, and frankly, whether you'll actually enjoy living here through the dark, wet winters.

The truth is, Vancouver takes Christmas seriously—not in a manufactured, theme-park way, but through authentic community events that have been running for decades. I've been here nearly 20 years, and I've seen which events become family traditions and which are just marketing hype.

Here's my no-fluff breakdown of what's happening this December.

The Must-Do Family Experiences

Grouse Mountain's Peak of Christmas (Nov 21–Dec 24) isn't new, but it's scalable—meaning families return year after year because it delivers consistent value. You're getting the Light Walk, ice skating, Santa's Workshop, and real reindeer, all included with mountain admission. It's not cheap, but the experience is repeatable and manageable for families with young kids.

Burnaby Village Museum's Festive Village (Nov 22–Jan 2) is the opposite strategy—completely free admission. This heritage site goes all-in with vintage Christmas displays and thousands of lights. The play here? Arrive on weekdays or early to avoid capacity limits. That's discipline paying off—plan ahead, execute early, avoid the crowds.

For newcomers specifically: the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival (Nov 22-23) gives you a genuine sense of suburban Vancouver life. Free admission, 35+ local vendors, and authentic community energy. If you're house-hunting in Surrey, this event shows you what neighborhood engagement actually looks like.

The Markets: Where to Invest Your Time

I'll tell you what I tell my investor clients: don't spread yourself thin across every market. Pick your strategy and commit.

Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza (Nov 13–Dec 24) is the flagship for a reason—90+ artisan huts, European atmosphere, 15 years of proven execution. Tickets required, but you're paying for curated quality. Book online in advance. That's the system.

Circle Craft Holiday Market (Nov 11-16) is your one-shot opportunity—six days only, 300+ artisans. If you need unique, handmade gifts and want to support local makers, this is the play. Go on weekdays to avoid the weekend grind.

The new Noel Holiday Light Festival in Cloverdale (Nov 28–Dec 28) is interesting because it relocated the old Stanley Park Bright Nights displays. Month-long run, indoor/outdoor, tickets required. It's unproven at this location, but the bones are solid.

Light Displays: The Long-Term Holds

VanDusen Festival of Lights (Nov 28–Jan 4) and Canyon Lights at Capilano (Nov 21–Jan 18) are your buy-and-hold investments of holiday activities. They've been running for years, they're refined, and they deliver every single time.

VanDusen is 1 million lights across 15 acres of botanical garden. Timed entry, book ahead. Canyon Lights wraps Capilano Suspension Bridge and the rainforest in millions of lights—it's iconic Vancouver for a reason.

For the budget-conscious or the disciplined planner: Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam (Nov 28–Feb 16) is completely free, runs until mid-February, and offers a 1.2 km lakeside loop. No tickets, no pressure. Take the SkyTrain, walk the loop, and you've just experienced Metro Vancouver without spending a dime.

What This Means If You're Relocating

When I work with families moving to Vancouver, they often ask about "quality of life" and "things to do with kids." These events answer that question with data, not fluff.

Vancouver's holiday season runs deep—from free community parades to premium experiences like the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker (Dec 12-14) or intimate dinner cruises on the harbour. The infrastructure is here. The traditions are established. The question is whether you're disciplined enough to plan ahead, because the best events sell out.

At the end of the day, a city's holiday calendar tells you about its values. Vancouver values community access (look at all the free events), outdoor experiences even in winter (every major light display is outside), and authentic local craft culture (the sheer number of artisan markets is no accident).

If that aligns with what you want in a city, then you're looking at the right market.

If you're ready to build a real strategy around relocating to Vancouver—one that looks at neighborhoods, schools, and lifestyle fit with the same discipline you'd apply to a five-year investment plan—let's talk.

About Roland Kym

Roland Kym brings nearly two decades of experience in the Vancouver real-estate market to his work at Move to Vancouver Canada. Having completed over 1,000 transactions, Roland has developed a streamlined system dedicated to helping professionals, families and international buyers relocate smoothly and confidently.

He knows the region inside and out—from neighbourhoods and school zones to market trends and cross-border considerations. His approach is not about selling dreams, but delivering results. On this blog he draws on his real-world relocation expertise to give you clear, actionable guidance so you can make Vancouver your next home without the guesswork.

Welcome to our blog. We have exciting topics to share with you to make your move to Vancouver a seamless, stress-free process. 

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About Roland Kym
Roland Kym brings nearly two decades of experience in the Vancouver real-estate market to his work at Move to Vancouver Canada. Having completed over 1,000 transactions, Roland has developed a streamlined system dedicated to helping professionals, families and international buyers relocate smoothly and confidently.
He knows the region inside and out—from neighbourhoods and school zones to market trends and cross-border considerations. His approach is not about selling dreams, but delivering results. On this blog he draws on his real-world relocation expertise to give you clear, actionable guidance so you can make Vancouver your next home without the guesswork.