Hope
Rooted in care, surrounded by nature
Nestled between rugged mountains and winding rivers, Hope, British Columbia (B.C.) offers a peaceful yet adventurous lifestyle in the heart of nature. This welcoming town blends small-town charm with big outdoor appeal—perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, or simply soaking in the views. With a strong sense of community, local shops and cafés, and easy access to provincial parks and scenic highways, Hope is an ideal place to live, work, and connect with the natural beauty of British Columbia.
Rooted in care, surrounded by nature
Nestled between rugged mountains and winding rivers, Hope, B.C. offers a peaceful yet adventurous lifestyle in the heart of nature. This welcoming town blends small-town charm with big outdoor appeal—perfect for hiking, biking, fishing or simply soaking in the views. With a strong sense of community, local shops and cafés and easy access to provincial parks and scenic highways, Hope is an ideal place to live, work, and connect with the natural beauty of British Columbia.
Location
Discover the natural beauty and welcoming spirit of Hope
Nestled at the meeting point of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers, Hope offers a unique blend of small-town warmth and breathtaking wilderness. Known as the gateway to British Columbia’s interior, this charming community is surrounded by mountains, forests, and outdoor adventure opportunities, making it a haven for nature lovers and explorers.
With its rich Indigenous and settler history, vibrant arts scene, and easy access to major highways, Hope combines heritage and convenience in a setting that feels both peaceful and inspiring.
Hope resides on on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Stó:lō [staw-low] people, particularly the Chawathil (sha-wah-thul), Peters, Shxw’ow’hamel [shwa-ham-ul], Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook) [skow-look] Union Bar and Yale First Nations. Hope is also on the unceded and traditional lands of the Nlaka’pamux [ing-khla-kap-muh] people, particularly the Boothroyd [booth-roid], Boston Bar and Spuzzum [spuz-zum] First Nations and is home of the Chilliwack Métis Association.
Places to live
Explore the character and charm of Hope’s five neighbourhoods
Hope is made up of five distinct neighbourhoods, each offering a unique lifestyle surrounded by stunning natural beauty. From lakeside living in Kawkawa Lake & Thacker Marsh to the family-friendly community of Silver Creek, residents enjoy easy access to outdoor recreation, schools, and amenities.
Downtown Hope serves as the vibrant heart of the town, while The Junction offers modern housing and where Fraser Canyon Hospital resides. With affordable real estate, a strong sense of community, and endless opportunities for adventure, Hope is an ideal place to call home.
Things to do
Where nature, adventure and local charm meet
Stroll through Memorial Park in Downtown Hope, where chainsaw carvings and riverside trails lead to scenic views and cozy cafés. Then explore the iconic Othello Tunnels and browse the Hope Arts Gallery. In winter, ski or tube at Sasquatch Mountain Resort—just an hour away—or hit the slopes at Manning Park Ski Resort.
Summer brings splash-filled fun at Bridal Falls Waterpark and peaceful outings to Silver Lake Provincial Park. Whether you’re hiking, enjoying a round at the Hope Golf and Country Club, or unwinding at Kawkawa Lake with a picnic and paddleboard session, Hope offers year-round adventure surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.
Transportation
Simple and scenic
Hope’s transportation network is designed to be accessible, scenic and easy to navigate.
Located at the junction of four major highways, Hope offers seamless travel throughout the Fraser Valley and beyond. BC Transit provides local bus service connecting neighbourhoods, schools, and shopping areas.
For active transportation, residents enjoy walkable streets, riverside trails, and bike-friendly routes with stunning mountain views. Electric vehicle charging stations are available in town, and regional transit options make it simple to explore nearby communities.
Schools for your children
British Columbia is known for its world-class education system, and Hope offers a strong selection of learning opportunities.
The Fraser Cascade School District in Hope serves the area with a number of public schools, including elementary, secondary, and alternative education options. Programs range from early childhood education to adult learning, outdoor education, and Indigenous-focused initiatives.
Families also have access to private schooling, with additional independent schools nearby.
The district has a rich history of community pride, compassionate students, and caring parents. Its motto, “Everyone pulling together to improve the achievement of all learners,” reflects its commitment to inclusive, high-quality education.
Arriving in B.C.
Making your move easy
While you wait for your moving day, there are a few things you can do to ensure your arrival in B.C. is smooth and you can settle in quickly.
WelcomeBC has information to prepare you for your arrival to B.C. and outlines steps you can take in the first few days to help you settle in.
You’ll also find the B.C. Newcomers’ Guide helpful with tips and information on healthcare, finding a place to live, education, money & banking, and much more. It is available in 13 languages.
FAQs
The Government of British Columbia (Provincial government) health plan is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It pays for basic, medically required health services. These include some doctor visits, medical tests, and treatments. Not all health costs are covered by MSP like dental, optometry/vision or physiotherapy to name a few.
MSP is for:
• B.C. residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• B.C. residents who are government-assisted refugees
• international students with study permits
• some people with work permits for 6 months or more
Click here to find out if you are eligible for MSP.
Registering for MSP
You should register for MSP as soon as you arrive in B.C.
All residents of B.C. must be registered with MSP. You need to apply to register for MSP. On your application, make sure you write your name exactly as it appears on other official documents.
You may have to wait for up to 3 months for your application to be processed. If you do not have MSP, you should buy private medical insurance. If you need medical care in B.C. and you do not have MSP or private medical insurance, you will have to pay all medical costs yourself. These costs can be very high.
Check out the Newcomers Guide for more details on B.C.’s healthcare system.
You will need a BC Services Card to access health care services.
Follow these steps to get your BC Services Card.
1. Apply for MSP.
- Complete and send the BC MSP enrolment form.
- You can also apply online.
2. Visit an ICBC driver licensing office. After you send your documents and enrolment form, you will receive a letter in
the mail. Take the letter to an ICBC driver licensing office. You will also need to take 2 pieces of identification.
- Find out what kind of identification you will need. icbc.com – Search for “Service card
accepted ID” - Find an ICBC office near you.
Children under 19, people 75 and older, and people with study and work permits do not have to visit an ICBC office. You will receive a BC Services Card without a photo. Click here for more information.
Check out the Newcomers Guide for more details on B.C.’s health care system.
There are many real estate sites that list local rentals and sales of homes in New Westminster. Here are some to choose from:
Buyers:
Renters:
- apartments.com
- realtor.ca
- rentals.ca
- Join a local Facebook group
Tips:
- Check out the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) website for information on mortgages for newcomers to B.C.
- Visit financial institutions like RBC, TD, Scotiabank or a Credit Union for newcomer mortgage programs and book a meeting with a mortgage advisor.
- BC Housing can help you find out about affordable housing and first-time home buyer programs.
Hope’s school system offers inclusive, community-driven education from Kindergarten through Grade 12, that support academic excellence, diverse learning pathways, and student well-being. Learn more on the Fraser Cascade School District.
Tip: Ensure you have all the documentation needed to register your children in school:
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residence (home address)
The child care facilities listed here are licensed by Fraser Health. This list is regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act of B.C. and is updated approximately every four months.
Outdoor Adventures
- Boating
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking and canoeing
- River Rafting
- Swimming
- Motorsports
- Mountain biking
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Snowmobile
- Wellness and yoga
Parks
Explore the parks of Hope, Cascades & Canyons—where stunning scenery, rich history, and outdoor adventure come together to create unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveler. Click here for a list of local parks and trails.
Golf Courses
In Hope, you’ll find the Hope Golf & Country Club located alongside the Coquihalla and Fraser rivers, and another 10 golf courses within 20-30 minutes by car.
Shopping
Click here for a list of local shops from cozy bookstores to sweet treats and outdoor gear shops.
Arts and Culture
Click here to discover the local arts and culture from wood carvings to art galleries.
Attractions
Hope is filled with many attractions from the Othello Tunnels to Hell’s Gate Airtram and Bridal Falls Waterpark. Check out the full list here.
Festivals and events
Click here for a calendar of local events, festivals and family-friendly activities.
Recreation Facilities and Sport Fields
From pickleball to curling, soccer and more, you’ll find the town’s recreation centres are a hub of activity. Click here for a complete list of recreation facilities, community centres, off-leash dog areas, trails and more.
Savor the flavors of Hope with locally inspired dishes served in cozy cafes, charming bistros, and welcoming restaurants.
Click here to check out some local dining options.
- Vancouver – 100-110 minutes by car
- Abbotsford – 30 minutes
- Burnaby – 60 minutes by car
- Richmond – 90 minutes by car
- Langley – 50 minutes by car
- Whistler – 2 ½ hour drive by car
Click here to find information on schedules, routes and pricing.
The only way to get to Vancouver Island from the mainland is by ferry or airplane.
Ferry
The main ferry services are run by BC Ferries, which operates vessels between these ferry terminals:
- Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (for Victoria)
- Tsawwassen and Duke Point (Nanaimo)
- Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Seaplane
You can take a seaplane between the downtown Vancouver and Victoria harbours through Harbour Air.
Airplane
You can take a commercial airline and fly between Vancouver International Airport and Victoria International Airport.
Area Facts
Hope is found at the meeting of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers at the very eastern end of the Fraser Valley and southern end of the Fraser Canyon. Approximately 100-110 minutes (150 km) east of Vancouver’s city centre, and neighbouring the city of Chilliwack, Hope is found at the centre of two major highways merging, providing easy access to explore the Interior and Cariboo regions of British Columbia.
Hope is the easternmost community within the Fraser Health region.
A smaller rural town, Hope is home to nearly 6,200 residents.
Hope offers schooling for kindergarten through to grade 12, with post-secondary and higher education opportunities in nearby cities.
Hope is made up of several main industries, including accommodation and food services, health care, retail trade, and warehousing. Other industries include lifestyle manufacturing and services, and tourism, with nearly 36,000 commuters a day driving through during the busy summer months.
Things To Do
Well-known as the Chainsaw Carving Capital, you will find over 80 chainsaw carvings featuring the local wildlife throughout the town of Hope. The many activities and attractions to experience consist of hiking, birdwatching, golfing, canoeing and kayaking, mountain biking, off-roading, swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, windsurfing, river rafting. Spend a weekend skiing or tubing with the family at Sasquatch Mountain Resort – a snow resort praised for having some of the top snowfall records – only one hour from Hope.
Visit Manning Park Ski Resort or Sasquatch Mountain Resort for some of the province’s best skiing in the winter, Bridal Falls Waterpark in the summer. Explore the nearby Othello Tunnels or Silver Lake Provincial Park as one of your favourite family outings.
Explore Our Region
Hope is found at the meeting of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers at the very eastern end of the Fraser Valley and southern end of the Fraser Canyon. Approximately 100-110 minutes (150 km) east of Vancouver’s city centre.
Fraser Canyon Hospital
Fraser Canyon Hospital is a 10-bed community hospital, providing 24/7 emergency stabilization and care, general medicine, and ambulatory care services, supported by an integrated network of community-based programs and services, ranging from health promotion and prevention to residential and hospice care. Fraser Canyon Hospital is the local hospital for Hope and area residents are the primary users.
Providing services in a rural area, Fraser Canyon Hospital has an active emergency department and an effective emergency transport system for transfer of patients to Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre or Royal Columbian Hospital (Fraser Health’s trauma and cardiac centre in New Westminster) through BC Ambulance Services, by air and by road. In 2016/17, Fraser Canyon Hospital saw 10,161 emergency visits, treated 473 inpatient cases, and had 17,308 visits to ambulatory care.
We're proud of our teams.
See the latest news, stories and innovations in Hope and surrounding areas.
“Before living in Hope, I was really missing that small-town-community vibe.”
Cassandra, Registered Nurse, Fraser Canyon Hospital
Is rural nursing right for you?
Hear from Cassandra on why she chose a career at Fraser Canyon Hospital.
In this video, you’ll also learn about some of the incentives that you may be eligible for at Fraser Canyon Hospital, and get a feel for some of the supports and mentorship that will be available to you.
Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Hope is considered a rural/remote community under Canada’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program available through the Government of Canada.
If you practice as one of the medical professionals listed below in under-served rural or remote communities, such as Hope, you could be eligible for Canada Student Loan forgiveness through the Government of Canada:
- family doctor;
- family medicine resident in training with an accredited medical school in Canada;
- registered nurse;
- registered psychiatric nurse;
- registered practical nurse;
- licensed practical nurse; or
- nurse practitioner.
Nurses could receive up to $30,000 and Physicians up to $60,000 in Canada Student Loan forgiveness over a maximum of five years.
You may work for multiple employers during the 12-month period as long as you complete at least 400 hours total of in-person service in an under-served rural or remote community.
The Fraser Canyon Hospital Rural/Remote Incentive Grant is being offered to Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) with a Provincial Student loan under the conditions below.
Fraser Canyon Hospital and Health Services Area offers a Grant incentive of $5,000 after one year of employment in a regular position and again upon completion of year 2 and year 3 for a maximum of $15,000 (pro-rated if hired to a part time position).
To receive the Grant, you commit to a return of service of a minimum of three (3) years in a regular, temporary or relief position in the community. The commitment is not inclusive of any extended leave time (i.e. Maternity Leave, WCB, Education Leave etc.)
Fraser Health guarantees regular employment for employees in good standing for a period of three years in the community listed above.
Some other conditions may apply. Contact us at recruitment@fraserhealth.ca to discuss opportunities at Fraser Canyon Hospital and to learn more about financial incentives available to you.
Together, we are building the future of health care.
Fraser Health is generously supported by a network of health care foundations. Donations to our health care foundations build upon government health care funding to help support priority equipment, education, research, facility enhancements and/or other projects in our hospitals and surrounding communities.
Are you currently a Fraser Health employee? Browse and apply for jobs on the internal job portal.
Registered Nurse, Transition Line (Specialty Nursing)
Our staff and medical staff share their experience.
See what the team has to say about their experience working and/or living in the Fraser Health region
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