Moving to Vancouver – Where should I live? – 2025

• Crime Rate: 32 crimes per 1,000 people
• Average 1-bed apt rent: $2,250
• Average property buying cost: $1,132,500

Port Moody is a calm, residential suburban city located in the North Shore and Tri-Cities area of Greater Vancouver. It’s popular with families and dog owners, offering great shopping, stores, and breweries. Locals say they can reach most places within a 10–15 minute drive, and in many areas, amenities are just a 10–15 minute walk away. People are known for being friendly.

The natural scenery is a standout feature, with stunning water views and scenic walking trails along the Burrard Inlet, the main waterway, making it a wonderful place for a stroll. For working professionals, the SkyTrain provides easy access to downtown Vancouver in about 30 minutes.

With a reported crime rate of 32 crimes per 1,000 people, Port Moody offers a reassuring sense of security.

Statistics Canada (2024), Realtor (Nov 2025) & Zumper (Nov 2025)

• Crime rate: 33 crimes per 1,000 people
• Average 1-bed apt rent: $2,497
• Average property buying cost: $1,132,500

North Vancouver offers mountain scenery, forests, and waterfronts, with easy access to different parks like Loutet, Mahon, and Ray Perrault, as well as waterfront piers like Burrard Dry Dock. Ideal for families seeking recreational attractions near downtown Vancouver, just across Burrard Inlet.

In terms of safety, the city has reported a crime rate of 33 crimes per 1,000 people, offering a secure environment for its residents. Its goal is to become “The Healthiest Small City in the World”. North Vancouver combines city and suburban attributes in a quiet area with little traffic noise. The main housing options are condos and townhomes.

Zumper (Nov 2025), Realtor.ca (Nov 2025) & Statistics Canada (2024)

• Crime rate: 45 crimes per 1,000 people
• Average 1-bed apt rent: $2,150
• Average property buying cost: $1,132,500

Coquitlam, located east of Vancouver in the Greater Vancouver area, offers a well-balanced mix of urban and suburban environments. With over 80 parks and a 134-km trail system, Coquitlam is ideal for those who love the outdoors, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying wildlife and nature. Attractions such as Como Lake Park and Coquitlam Crunch Trail contribute to its overall appeal.

Its diverse population and housing options, mainly condominiums and apartments, with a mix of single-family homes, contribute to its appeal. Coquitlam ensures a safe environment for families with RCMP police protection, featuring a low crime rate of 45 crimes per 1,000 people, in a population of 148,625. This contributes to its high quality of life.

Statistics Canada (2024), Zumper (Nov 2025) & CREA (Oct 2025)

• Crime rate: 56 crimes per 1,000 people
• Average 1-bed apt rent: $1,900
• Average property buying cost: $919,000

The City of Langley, east of downtown Vancouver, offers a diverse housing options such as single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums.

Renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere, Langley features parks, trails, community centers, and valued public schools like Alice Brown Elementary School and Langley Senior Secondary. Trinity Western University, Canada’s largest privately funded public university, also adds a higher education dimension to the city.

In terms of safety, Langley maintains a crime rate of 56 crimes per 1,000 people in its small population of 28,963, fostering a secure, small-town feel for residents.

Statistics Canada (2024), Realtor (Nov 2025) & Zumper (Nov 2025)

• Crime rate: 58 crimes per 1,000 people
• Average 1-bed apt rent: $1,700
• Average property buying cost: $919,000

Surrey, in the southeast of Greater Vancouver, is the region’s largest city by land area and the second most populous, with 568,322 residents. It offers more affordable housing options than Vancouver, despite both areas having high living costs, making it an attractive choice for a cost-effective lifestyle. Diverse housing options, including condominiums, apartments, and single family houses, define Surrey.

Surrey elevates residents’ quality of life with access to around 20 parks, trails, and outdoor spaces. This, paired with its strategic proximity to Vancouver, makes it a good choice for Vancouver city workers. With a reported crime rate of 58 crimes per 1,000 people, the area maintains an overall safety record, ensuring a secure and relaxed environment to its residents.

Statistics Canada (2024), Realtor (Nov 2025) & Zumper (Nov 2025)

• Crime rate: 61 crimes per 1,000 people
• Average 1-bed apt rent: $1,580
• Average property buying cost: $919,900

Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley, located next to the Canada-US border and the GVA, is known as the “City in the Country” due to its agricultural landscapes. Its key economic driver is agriculture, establishing it as one of Canada’s most diverse farming areas, supporting both agricultural and livestock industries, and facilitating job opportunities in those sectors.

In proximity to the City of Vancouver, Abbotsford is a good choice for living with affordable housing options. With a reported crime rate of 61 crimes per 1,000 people, the city offers a secure environment and is an attractive choice for those seeking a cost-effective suburban lifestyle.

Statistics Canada (2024), Zumper (Nov 2025) & Realtor.ca (Nov 2025)