West Vancouver, Canada

🌊 Coastal

The economy here is almost entirely built on real estate wealth and professional services. Most residents aren't earning a living—they're living off existing assets or working remote/professional jobs that pay enough to justify $2.8M median home prices. Tourism and ferry operations (Horseshoe Bay terminal) provide some service-sector work, but this is fundamentally a bedroom community for Vancouver's wealthy, not a place where you build a career from scratch.

Rent for a one-bedroom runs $2,800/month, and that's the floor. Buying in means $2M+ for a modest house. Transit exists (West Vancouver Transit, BC Ferries, Lions Gate Bridge access), but you'll likely need a car—parking and commute friction are real. Healthcare is accessible through BC's provincial system, no major friction there. English dominates; language isn't a barrier. Bureaucracy is standard Canadian municipal stuff, nothing painful.

Summers are dry and cool; winters wet and mild. Cypress Provincial Park and Whytecliff Park dominate weekends—hiking, kayaking, mountain biking. The expat community is small; most residents are established Canadian professionals or retirees. Social life revolves around outdoor clubs and waterfront activities, not nightlife. This suits remote workers or early retirees with substantial savings who want nature access, safety, and proximity to Vancouver—not people seeking affordability or a vibrant social scene.