Life in Vancouver
Vancouver is an exciting and multicultural city in one of Canada’s most beautiful provinces, British Columbia. Surrounded by mountains, ocean, rainforests, and beautiful parks, the city is consistently ranked one of the top three most livable cities in the world. Canada - and Vancouver in particular - is well-known for its friendly and welcoming citizens, clean and safe streets, and exciting indoor and outdoor activities.
Visitors who are looking for adventure can take advantage of British Columbia’s natural playground. With world-renowned hiking, biking, kayaking, rock-climbing and skiing, Vancouver is the place to be for outdoor sports. Whistler Ski Resort, the Canadian Rockies, Victoria, Vancouver Island, and Washington State are all easily accessible. Local mountains are located within 20 minutes of downtown, making it easy to go skiing or hiking for the day and be back in the city by evening.
Arts and culture thrive in this city, with theatres, galleries, museums, and music venues showcasing local and international talent every day of the week. Vancouver’s smaller neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Little Italy on Commercial Drive, Chinatown, Kitsilano, and Davie Village, are all rich with individual character and history. Vancouver is home to many boutiques, Pacific Centre shopping mall, and high-end shopping at Robson Street. Shoppers can also take a short 20-minute ride on the Skytrain to Metrotown Station, where the biggest shopping mall in BC, Metropolis, is located.
Getting around Vancouver is simple, with many easily accessible buses and skytrains running frequently. Skytrain service currently operates under two lines - the Expo Line and the Millenium Line - with a third line (the Canada Line) opening in September 2009.
Vancouver is a very diverse and multicultural city, ensuring there is something interesting for everyone.
In 2010, Vancouver and Whistler Village will host the XXI Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games.
Learn more about Vancouver’s attractions: http://vancouver.ca/visitors.htm