Eight years ago, I packed my things, loaded them in my car and drove from Ontario to my new home in B.C.
I had never been to the West Coast before I moved to Vancouver Island, so I wasn't sure what to expect or how different my life would be. After all this time, I can say with certainty that B.C. living is very different from what life in Ontario looked like.
Whether it's the lifestyle, the activities or the stunning mountain views that still leave me in awe, British Columbia has many incredible things to offer anyone making the interprovincial move — and there are also many things still on my B.C. bucket list that I hope to get to sometime soon.
While there are plenty of things I miss about living near Toronto, I've come to appreciate so many aspects about my current home in Victoria.
Here are 10 things I've discovered that B.C. does better than Ontario after having lived here for over eight years.
The hikes
I wasn't much of a hiker before I moved to B.C., because there isn't much of a hiking culture where I lived in the GTA (at least that I was aware of).
On the West Coast though, it's an activity lots of British Columbians do almost every weekend, and I can see why.
The hiking options here are endless, whether it's a quick and easy trail through a rainforest or a longer adventure up a mountain that ends with stunning views of towering peaks.
Some hikes even have hidden gems like waterfalls along the way or will lead you to a stunning beach that you can't get to by car. The options are all beautiful and worthwhile!
The lifestyle
When I first moved to B.C., one of the biggest adjustments I had to make was getting used to the West Coast lifestyle.
Granted, I live on Vancouver Island, so the lifestyle here is a bit different than in Vancouver. I come from a big city, so when I made the move, I instantly noticed how much slower everything and everyone moves here. It's called living on "island time."
While I still like certain things to go faster, I appreciate that people here take the time to go out in nature, meet with friends for coffee and dinner and just slow down when necessary.
A lot of people here also make sure to smile and say hello to one another when passing by, which is very different from Toronto.
The beaches
I know Ontario has beaches, but they just can't compare to the ones in B.C.
Whether you want to hang out on a beach by the ocean or you prefer something smaller like a lake, you can have it all on the West Coast.
Each beach also comes with a guarantee of either mountain views or being surrounded by beautiful trees and cliffs. It takes beach days to a whole new level!
The seafood
I love sushi, poké, fish tacos, crab and really all things seafood, so that's another advantage of living next to the ocean.
I thought Ontario had good sushi, but the Japanese dish is elite in B.C. thanks to how fresh the salmon is here.
If you travel to B.C., make sure you try as much seafood as possible — you won't regret it!
Milk in jugs vs. bags
A 4-litre jug of 2% milk.
Asymina Kantorowicz | Narcity
One of the most unexpected changes in B.C. is what I found in the grocery store when I went looking for milk.
I'd always purchased bagged milk when I was living in Ontario, and I went searching for it during my first few shopping trips to various stores. It wasn't until somebody told me that bagged milk isn't a thing here that I accepted I would have to buy the dairy product in jugs or cartons.
While at first I was upset by something as silly as bagged milk because it reminded me of home, I'm now a firm believer that milk in jugs is the way to go. Not only are jugs easier to store in the fridge, but you also don't have to worry about cutting too big a hole in the bag and having it spill all over the place when you're pouring it the first time.
The cafe culture
Vancouver and Victoria have a big coffee scene, and I just love how many hidden-gem cafes you can find scattered around both cities.
The cafe culture is strong on the island, and you'll often see people enjoying a cup of coffee or tea solo, with coworkers or a group of friends.
While Toronto has many coffee shops, it has a lot of big-name chains everywhere, and there's something cozier about local independent cafes nestled inside old houses and heritage buildings like the ones in B.C.
Patio season
Yes, of course, Ontario has a great patio season, but can it compare to waterfront patios that offer ocean and mountain views?
B.C.'s patio season is unbeatable in that regard, and because it warms up much faster here in the spring, we also get to enjoy it for longer.
Imagine having a Caesar on a patio while looking out at boats on the sparkling water. It just gives off vacation vibes, and I'm all for that.
The camping
I'm not much of a camper, but I have experienced it in both provinces and can say without a doubt that B.C. wins on this one.
First of all, you have so many options across the province. Whether you want a traditional campground, to camp by the ocean or lake, or to go off into the middle of the bush, it's all possible and within a reasonable distance.
You can get out in nature, disconnect and relax in B.C., and it's pretty incredible.
The water activities
As someone who loves to spend time on the water, being able to do water activities as often as I want is a huge bonus.
Being so close to the ocean and so many incredible lakes means I can go kayaking, boating, swimming or floating at any time throughout the spring, summer or fall.
I even see people swimming in the ocean during the winter, which is where I draw the line, but hey, at least it's possible!
The proximity to mountains (and the ski season)
One of the biggest perks of living in B.C. is all the mountains. Aside from hikes, this means the ski seasons here are pretty epic with all the options you have.
Whether you're going to Whistler, Big White or Mount Washington, the ski season on the West Coast is next level when you compare it to what you get in Ontario.
This article's right-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
