Factors to Consider if You are Moving from the UK to Vancouver

Vancouver has always been one of the most attractive Canadian cities to move to. The stunning scenery, the thriving economy and the welcoming attitude of the native people means it attracts migrants from around the world. Almost half the city’s population was originally born outside Canada.

But what are the specific factors to consider if you are moving from the UK? The Moving Partnership, who offer competitive packages if you are considering removals from the UK to Vancouver, look at some of the issues you might have to address.

The Health System

In Vancouver, in common with the rest of the country, there is a free-at-the-point-of-use universal healthcare system called Canadian Medicare. This is run on a province-by-province basis, so what you will be entitled to will vary depending on where you are.

It’s probably worth taking out private insurance as well, because Medicare won’t always cover outpatient prescription drugs and dental care. Around two-thirds of all Canadians have private healthcare insurance, so it may be worth asking your employer if you are moving from the UK to Vancouver for work reasons.

The Education System (1)

The fact that the Canadian education system is broadly similar to the UK’s may help make your switch easier, if you are moving to Vancouver with a young family.

The three stages are as follows:

• Kindergarten/Pre-elementary schools for children aged 4-5. This is not compulsory, but it has been estimated that more than 95% of all Canadian children spend at least some time there.
• Primary school education – for children aged 6 to 12.
• Secondary education (Junior high school or high school) - age 12-14 and 14-18.

In Vancouver, and throughout the province of British Columbia where it is situated, education is compulsory for children from the ages of six to 16. However, most students remain in school until they graduate from high school at age 18. 

The Education System (2)

Vancouver, in common with the rest of Canada, has some highly respected universities if you want to go there to study beyond the age of 18. The leading ones in the city include the University of British Columbia (UBC), which has a strong reputation for research; Simon Fraser University (SFU), which is particularly strong in areas like computer science, business, and criminology; and Capilano University, which has a focus on both the arts and sciences

Although domestic tuition fees are much lower than those in the UK (roughly £6,000 a year compared to £9,000), if you are moving as an international student, you will have to pay considerably more (usually around £15,000 a year).

The Languages

Bear in mind that although Vancouver has one of the largest British expat populations in Canada (more than 30,000 live in British Columbia, and most of those are in Vancouver), it’s a very diverse city. The fact that it’s a port city, with a strong economy, and generally has a very welcoming attitude to migrants, has all contributed to this.

Specifically, the city is home to a significant number of Chinese, Japanese and Indians, each with their own area of the city (and where they tend to stick to their own language, at least amongst themselves).

In addition, more than half of the city doesn’t count English as their mother tongue – French (alongside English) is also designated as an official language. However, you should at least be able to make yourself understood in English – more than four out of every five Canadians have at least a ‘working knowledge’ of the language.

How Much is The Cost of Living in Vancouver?

The cost of living in Vancouver is significantly higher than in the UK, particularly in terms of housing and food. While some areas like utilities, internet, and public transport might be comparable or even cheaper in Canada, the overall cost of living, especially for the essentials, is notably more expensive. 

However, many people see this as a small price to pay for living in a city with so much to offer – not just in the city itself, but the surrounding North Shore mountains (pictured) are ideal for hiking in summer and skiing and snowboarding in winter.

Removals from the UK to Vancouver with The Moving Partnership

If you are going to move from the UK to Vancouver, then at The Moving Partnership, we will be able to offer a competitively priced package which will be tailored to your exact needs. For more information, follow this link; you can also call us directly on 0800 772 3709.

We can also help with international removals to all parts of Canada, including Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec and many other destinations.