Located between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province. With over five million people, it ranks as the third most populous province in Canada. No doubt, loads of people consider it a dream province. Still, you just might be wondering, is British Columbia good for immigrants?
British Columbia is a great place for immigrants thanks to its cultural diversity, work opportunities, low crime rate, and amazing climate. It also boasts a great educational system, top healthcare system, and remarkable economic system, making it easy to settle right into this beautiful province.
Still, if you’re looking to relocate to B.C, it’s only natural that you know in detail what you’d be getting. In this article, we explore why B.C is a great option for immigrants.
Is British Columbia Good for Immigrants?
British Columbia is one of the easiest and safest places to settle in, raise a family, or simply live and work. Not only is it easy to gain permanent residency with the proper skills and experience, but immigrants also get to enjoy the different opportunities that British Columbia has to offer. Some of the benefits and opportunities that British Columbia offers immigrants include:
1. Amazing Scenery
Thanks to its demographic location, immigrants enjoy a majestic view of nature. These scenic views provide many areas you can explore if you decide to settle in this province. It also boasts of several theatres, museums, and exhibition centres that allow you to have fun.
It doesn’t matter if you would rather spend your time relaxing on the beach and staring into the horizon, going hiking, or showing more interest in conquering the mountainous terrains. No matter where you look, there are many rich views available for you. These scenic views are not only breathtaking but provide a means of exploring personal interests.
2. Vancouver
People often regard Vancouver as a “world-class city” or “the greatest city in the world,” and here’s why. Vancouver, a rich west coast seaport in British Columbia, is one of the most scenic, most ethically diverse cities worldwide. Boasting a rich history, generous views, and an ability to sustain the environment, Vancouver is a rich blend of urban quality, art, and natural beauty.
Vancouver bustles with a rich economy and welcomes tourists every year, once reaching a record of 10 million tourists. This hub of a city provides plenty of working and networking opportunities for people. Luckily for immigrants, this city is in British Columbia.
3. Low Crime Rate
British Columbia is one of the safest places to live and work. With effective laws, rules, and regulations to ensure orderliness in the province, B.C. boasts of low crime rates. For instance, there has been an 8.29% drop in the Crime Severity Index of British Columbia. Also, there are various cities where you can enjoy the safety and security of your property. Ranked according to a crime index that measures the livability of the cities in British Columbia, some of the top safest cities to consider setting up camp include Whistler, Peace River, Squamish, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, North Saanich, and Oak Bay.
4. Diverse Culture
Apart from its rich cultural heritage that has persevered over the years, British Columbia consists of a mixture of various cultures. This provides one of the most diverse cultures anyone can experience. In fact, it’s not farfetched to regard British Columbia as an ethnically varied province.
This is because B.C welcomes over 40,000 immigrants each year. With five percent of the population being indigenous, this alluring mixture of different cultures not only sustains the history of these various cultures but also provides a very vibrant and colourful environment for people to flourish in.
5. Amazing Climate
British Columbia boasts of a perfect climate, maybe even the finest climate in all of Canada. One of the warmest regions there is, it can attain a daily average temperature of 11 degrees Celsius. Even better, the mountains surround British Columbia with the continuous currents of the Pacific Ocean providing warmth.
British Columbia also enjoys a mild climate similar to that of the European conditions. The summers are always cool, wet, and beautiful, with the winter being conducive. This favorable climate is not only nice to the human population but also enables plant life to flourish, sustaining a natural scenery in British Columbia boasts.
6. Great Education System
In Canada, British Columbia has the highest-ranking education system there is. Highly favoured by Canadians, B.C. is also one of the world’s most popular choices for students outside of the country.
Providing the usual elementary schools and secondary schools, British Columbia was also the first province to provide students with the Education Quality Assurance or EQA for public and private institutions. In addition, it provides quality education at college and university levels, research institution levels, and even for private careers and language training. It’s safe to say then that immigrants will enjoy a high-quality education in this province.
7. Free Health Care Services
British Columbia places a lot of emphasis on residents’ health, providing free healthcare for everyone. The new law exempts citizens from charges for health services. This funded health care system ensures that all residents apart from transfer students can access necessary health care services via the Medical Services Plan. So, as long as you intend to become a resident, you don’t have to worry about healthcare services.
Should You Go for It?
Considering all the benefits awaiting immigrants at this resourcefully vibrant province in Canada, British Columbia is a good idea for citizens. Even better, the immigration process is very easy and quite stress-free, allowing an easy relocation and settling process for all. The residents are also welcoming, making it a great choice.
However, you’ll need to remember that living in British Columbia can be quite pricey, although it depending on the area of residence, choice of utilities and transportation, and further miscellaneous services. Once you find a balance between both circumstances, you can make an informed decision.