As part of Greater Vancouver, Delta is a city in British Columbia. This area lies in the southern part of Richmond and borders the Fraser River towards the north. It also has the United States (Washington) to the south, as well as Surrey city to the east part. The Delta is divided into three different communities: Ladner, Tsawwassen, and North Delta.
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As of recent rankings by Maclean’s Magazine, Delta ranks as the 59th best city in Canada to live in. As a result, it ranked higher than all lower mainland Vancouver cities except for West Vancouver. Delta was also ranked one of the top five in Canada to establish new Canadians and for retirees. In Delta, there is a strong sense of community and culture. Moreover, it has excellent weather and several amenities.
You’ll want to consider these pros and cons before you move to Delta, BC.
Pros
Here are some of the great reasons to consider a move to Delta, British Columbia.
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1. Beautiful Nature
Although Vancouver is entirely located on the Pacific Ocean, it is also surrounded by Mountains. Regardless of the direction, you will see rich views of mountains around every corner if you take during your ride through the city.
If you need something to do, you can take a hike in the mountains if you don’t feel like spending your days on the beach. Additionally, Vancouver is just two hours away from two of Canada’s best ski resorts. Moreover, you will find forests filled with some of the most enormous trees you have ever seen, just a 1- to 2-hour drive away. There a plethora of hiking trails in Manitoba that will meet the needs of hikers at different levels of experience and interests.
2. Perfect Climates
There is no better place to live in Canada than this region. It does snow, but it is nothing compared to the amount of snowfall elsewhere in the country. We can expect a little more than 1cm of snow for over ten days.
There are usually no particularly hot days during the summer months, and the nights are not as cold as they can be in Toronto. In general, their temperatures range from 64°F (18°C) to 68°F (20°C). The heat doesn’t affect outdoor activities such as swimming and day trips to the beach.
3. SkyTrain
The SkyTrain system of Vancouver is also a great option. For those who wish to see the city from a distance, this public mode of transportation is ideal. From the highest level of the train, you have a panoramic view of the ocean, mountains, and city. It costs only $5 to ride on all three zones, and you’ll also get a map of SkyTrain stations.
4. Education
In 2019, Canada ranked 3rd in the world for education, with British Columbia having the best education system. Consequently, the province has the responsibility of education.
In terms of education, they have three choices:
- Public
Public schools in that area differ from those in the United States. Some schools emphasize art more than others, whereas others emphasize science or technology. Residents of their cities and even people on work visas have access to their public schools for free. You should check with the district in which you plan to move to determine your child’s eligibility.
- Private
The Vancouver area does not have a lot of private schools, although it has the best education in the country. They are also more commonly found in areas where foreigners reside. It’s always a good idea to check with the Ministry of Education before enrolling your child in a private school to make sure the school is registered with them.
- Childcare (Daycare)
The average cost of daycare in Vancouver is around 50 CAD per day. For most women, staying at home with their children and their friends’ children is the wisest choice. A woman must obtain a license in order to watch more than two children, however.
Cons
1. High Cost of Living
Although not all cities have a high cost of living, it’s something to consider when searching for a new residence. British Columbia province is considered one of the most expensive in Canada. In part, this is due to the high prices of homes in Vancouver.
In Vancouver, you might have to pay as much as $2,100 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. However, there are additional taxes that are levied in British Columbia that are not related to housing. There are four provinces that impose a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and British Columbia is one of them. Additionally, there is a 7% tax on top of the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST).
2. It could Be Boring
Those who don’t enjoy the outdoors might find this part of Canada less appealing. The majority of the attractions in Delta are outdoor activities including hiking, bicycling, sailing, and skiing.
You are unlikely to find many attractions in western Canada that don’t involve being outdoors unless you live in the larger cities. The city itself has a lot of museums, restaurants, and bars. However, they have some pretty strict rules that restrict the nightlife in the city. The people there are health-conscious and prefer to stay fit and be active outdoors.
3. Potential Natural Disasters
The location of Delta makes it susceptible to future natural disasters in the next 50 years. It is known as “the big one” because of the location of the North America Plate and the Pacific Ocean Plate. A magnitude nine earthquake could occur when the Pacific Ocean plate subducts under the North American plate. It would be impossible for several old buildings to survive that kind of destruction.
4. Limited Jobs
Where there are jobs, that’s where you want to be. While finding a job in Vancouver might prove easier, it’s harder to find work in other areas of the province.
Knowing what you need to do to live sustainably is important. If you live in one of British Columbia’s smaller areas while living in a city that offers more jobs, you could lose a significant amount of income.