New Westminster
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New Westminster, British Columbia, is the trendy hidden gem of Metro Vancouver. Nestled along the scenic Fraser River, this vibrant city offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Take a stroll along the boardwalk, eat and shop in the bustling Brewery District or escape to the nearby mountains. With breathtaking views, a strong sense of community, and easy access to Vancouver’s bustling city centre, New Westminster is the ideal place to work and call home.
Location
Breathtaking views of the water and surrounding mountains
Nestled on a picturesque hillside along the north side of the Fraser River, New Westminster offers breathtaking waterfront views framed by majestic mountains, blending natural beauty with rich heritage. Just 30 minutes (20 km) from downtown Vancouver, this historic city—British Columbia’s oldest incorporated municipality and former provincial capital—perfectly balances small-town charm with urban convenience. Known as the Royal City, New Westminster began as a pioneer settlement and blossomed into a stately Victorian hub, a legacy still visible today in its grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture. With its unique combination of elegance, history, and accessibility, New Westminster remains a vibrant and scenic urban centre in the heart of the Lower Mainland.
Nestled on a picturesque hillside where history meets elegance along the Fraser River
New Westminster, located on a hillside overlooking the Fraser River, is the oldest incorporated city in BC, was once the provincial capital, and remains an urban hub of the Lower Mainland. The Royal City, as it is still known, began as a pioneer settlement and evolved into a stately Victorian city, and today remains graced with many grand Victorian and Edwardian heritage buildings.
New Westminster resides on the traditional, ancestral and unceded shared territories of the qʷɑ:nƛən [Kwantlen] and Qayqayt [key-kite] First Nations, and is home to the North Fraser Métis Association.
Places to live
Discover the charm and diversity of New Westminster's six unique neighbourhoods
New Westminster combines the benefits of a small-town feel with the amenities of a larger city, making it an attractive place to live. As the original capital of British Columbia (B.C.), the city boasts rich history and character, reflected in its architecture and neighbourhoods.
The SkyTrain rail system ensures easy access to Greater Vancouver, and the vibrant community features a blend of new developments and historic areas.
Things to do
Culture. Creativity. Flavour.
Go for a stroll along the waterfront Quayside Esplanade and Boardwalk as you make your way towards the River Market at Westminster Quay – a culinary destination where you can explore local artisan shops and learn about the culture of the city.
Or spend the day browsing through The Royal Westminster Regiment Historical Society and Museum, perusing all the Brewery District has to offer, or relaxing in one of its many picturesque parks found throughout the city.
Transportation
Getting around the city
New Westminster’s transportation network is designed to be inclusive and accessible, making it easy to get around.
The city is served by the SkyTrain rail system, which provides quick and efficient access to Greater Vancouver, as well as a local bus service that serves the entire city.
There are also electric vehicle charging stations and e-bike sharing across the community. And if you prefer active transportation, you will find numerous bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly pathways for walking and running.
Schools for your children
B.C. consistently ranks among the top education systems in the world.
From Kindergarten through to grade 12, classrooms in New Westminster boast innovative learning and academic excellence, while ensuring safe, welcoming and inclusive experiences.
There are 12 public schools in the city: eight elementary, three middle, and one new, leading-edge secondary school that offers university entrance academic preparation.
With one private school, plus many others close by, there are many types of private school options to choose from.
Check out the city’s School District website for information on schools and how to register.
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.
New Westminster has a great education system from elementary, middle and secondary public schools, including French Immersion and Private schools.
Learn more on the New Westminster School District site.
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.
You will find no shortage of things to see and do in New West. Here is a list of local attractions and facilities to help you navigate the city.
Recreation Facilities:
Parks:
Click here for a complete list of community parks, maps, off-leash dog areas, trails and more.
Golf Courses:
There is one golf course in New Westminster, with another 72 courses within 30 kilometres.
Live Theatre:
Take in a performance of musical theatre, international music and dance, orchestras, choirs, ballets and music artists at the Massey Theatre.
More fun activities:
For shopping, restaurant, arts, entertainment activities and more, check out Tourism New Westminster for their recommendations on:
Click here to see the wide variety of restaurants, pubs and breweries.
- Vancouver – 30 minute drive by car
- Burnaby – 20 minute drive by car
- Surrey – 15 minute drive by car
- Richmond – 40 minute drive by car
- Whistler – 1 hour 40 minutes 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
New Westminster, located on a hillside overlooking the Fraser River, is the oldest incorporated city in BC, was once the provincial capital, and remains an urban hub of the Lower Mainland. The Royal City, as it is still known, began as a pioneer settlement and evolved into a stately Victorian city, and today remains graced with many grand Victorian and Edwardian heritage buildings.
Nearly 80,000 residents call the city of New Westminster home.
New Westminster has a number of public and private schools from kindergarten through to grade 12.
Post-secondary and higher education is available through a Douglas College campus, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, a campus of West Coast College of Massage Therapy and a number of continuing education and workplace skills training programs.
New Westminster is one of western Canada’s busiest ports, a major rail junction, and one of the province’s largest industrial and marketing centres. Known for the manufacturing of forest products, New Westminster also has other thriving industries, including food processing (fruit and vegetables), distilling, brewing, shipbuilding, oil refining, and film/television.
Things To Do
Go for a stroll along the waterfront Quayside Esplanade and Boardwalk as you make your way towards the River Market at Westminster Quay – a culinary destination where you can explore local artisan shops and learn about the culture of the city. Spend the day browsing through The Royal Westminster Regiment Historical Society and Museum, perusing all the Brewery District has to offer, or relaxing in one of its many picturesque parks found throughout the city. Being centrally located in the Greater Vancouver area also allows New Westminster easy access to major highways to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Explore the nearby mountains and provincial parks of neighbouring communities.
Explore Our Region
New Westminster is located on the north side of the Fraser River with several bordering municipalities in each direction (Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and Delta), making it the centre of the Greater Vancouver region. The city is only about 30 minutes (20 km) from Vancouver’s city centre.
Royal Columbian Hospital
New Westminster, B.C.
As B.C.’s oldest hospital and one of its busiest, Royal Columbian Hospital is the only hospital in B.C. with trauma, cardiac care, neurosurgery, high-risk obstetrics, neonatal intensive care and acute mental health care all on one site.
Royal Columbian Hospital is a provincial referral hospital (stroke/cardiac/trauma/neurosurgery) located in New Westminster, BC, with 439 acute beds, with nearly 80,000 visits annually.
Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project
The Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment project is a multi-million, multi-phase project that will increase the hospital’s capacity, introduce advanced medical technologies and improve the health care environment for patients, staff and medical staff.
The improvements will upgrade and expand the hospital through more beds and operating rooms, new technology and equipment to improve timely access to tests and procedures to support better health outcomes.
Royal Columbian Hospital
Royal Columbian Hospital
330 E Columbia St, New Westminster, BC, V3L 3W7, Canada
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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.
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