10 cities, 2.6 million people, one region.
Greater Vancouver — Metro Vancouver — isn't one city. It's a region of 21 municipalities sharing 2.6 million people across a coastal peninsula, two river deltas, and the slopes of the North Shore mountains. Each of the 10 cities below has its own character, its own rent, its own schools, and its own pace. Picking the right one is the single most consequential decision a newcomer makes.
Full guides
6 of 6 cities covered so far
Vancouver
Canada's densest downtown, a seawall that never ends, and more coastlines than you expect.
Richmond
Canada's most immigrant-majority city and home to the best Chinese food in North America.
Surrey
British Columbia's fastest-growing city — bigger, younger, and more diverse than most of Canada realises.
Burnaby
The transit-connected middle city — SFU on the mountain, Metrotown in the middle, and the best-priced SkyTrain access in Metro Vancouver.
Coquitlam
The family side of the SkyTrain — Tri-Cities hub, strongest Korean community in Metro Vancouver, and the mountains right out your back door.
North Vancouver
The outdoor side of Metro Vancouver — mountains, suspension bridges, and the only corner of the region where the forest is louder than the traffic.
Can't decide?
Compare cities side by side.
Rent, population, commute, schools, weather — everything important at a glance so you can answer the real question: which one is right for me?