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VANCOUVER
Toronto may have the second-highest standard of living in the world,
but it’s another Canadian city that takes the top spot in that race.
The respected Corporate Resources Group survey, aimed at informing
corporate managers charged with setting budgetary allowances for
expatriate staff, places Vancouver at the top of a list of 192 cities
worldwide for political stability, economic outlook, culture, health
and education resources.
Vancouver, in the province of British
Columbia, draws the highest number of immigrant newcomers after
Toronto. One of the the province's former premiers was an immigrant,
Indian-born Ujjal Dosanjh making history by becoming the first
immigrant to win that high office. (Provincial leaders are known as
premiers, the national leader is the prime minister).
Situated in southwestern Canada, Vancouver lies just 40 kms north of
Washington State. Surrounded on three sides by water, the city is
blessed with excellent weather. Summers are warm but not uncomfortable,
temperatures lingering in the low to mid-20s (70-80F), while winters
are relatively mild, the mercury mostly staying on the positive side of
the Celsius scale. It rarely snows in Vancouver, except in the nearby
coastal mountains, but an umbrella is a must in your armoury for this
very wet city.
The proximity to both sea and mountain has resulted in a number of
activities fairly unique to Vancouver -- where else can you indulge in
sports like snowshoe-paragliding or skiing-kayaking?
Vancouver’s weather and its natural beauty have made the city a
favourite with immigrants. One in three Vancouver residents is an
immigrant, according to the 1996 census, making it second only to
Toronto in terms of immigrant population. The city is especially
popular with those from the Far East -- people from Hong Kong, China
and Taiwan account for half of all newcomers to Vancouver. Immigration
levels from these countries has peaked in recent years, one reason
possibly being Hong Kong’s return to the Chinese fold, and the
accompanying fears of its wealthier citizens.
Be that as it may, the infusion of some of this wealth into
Vancouver’s economy has come as a shot in its arm. Trade with Asia is
on the rise as immigrant businessmen and women seek to capitalize on
their links with the region.
On the down side, crises in the Asian markets have a tendency of
hurting the British Columbian economy. The province already lags well
behind national growth rate. Forestry, the largest industry, is in
decline, and jobs overall are not as easy to come by.
The region already has about the highest real estate prices in
Canada and the cost of living expenses are up to 30 per cent higher
than in other major cities.
All said and done though, Vancouver remains one of the world’s few
cities that is popular both with its own people as well as visitors. It
consistently makes well-known top 10 lists, including those of Condé
Nast Traveller (best cities to visit) and Outside magazine (best cities
to live in). If you find the right employment quickly, you’re going to
love this place.
Overall rating: 8/10
Plus: Good year-round weather, multi-cultural population, efficient
and reliable transit system, low crime rate, high wages, good medicare
system, lower provincial sales tax than in Ontario
Minus: High cost of living, property prices among highest in Canada, job market fairly tight
Major newspapers: Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Oriental Star (in Chinese)
Cities with large immigrant populations in outlying areas*: Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Port Moody, North Vancouver, Coquitlam.
*An hour’s drive or less from Vancouver
Area codes: Greater Vancouver and Whistler – 604, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands – 250
Related: Accommodation in and around Vancouver
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