Living in Northern BC
Northern BC is a land of adventure and outdoor living, where residents can choose to live in small communities and villages, or even “off the grid” in remote locations.
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Prince George is the region’s largest city and is the main urban hub for northern residents to access a wider variety of services and supplies than available in small towns, including 116 playgrounds and parks, plus eight golf courses. The north is the place to be for those who want more space, less traffic, and clear night skies.
Land acknowledgement
PHSA provides specialized health care services to communities across Northern BC, on the territories of many distinct First Nations, including the Gitxsan, Nisga'a, and Tahltan Peoples. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured the lands and waters around us for all time.
Climate and landscape
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Northern BC offers four distinct seasons of weather, with plenty of snow for winter activities and an enjoyable, moderate summer climate. Much of the north is uninhabited due to rocky and forested terrain, which provide natural habitats for Canadian wildlife such as bears, moose, caribou and elk. Northern BC offers beautiful, natural landscape, big open skies which are known to host the incredible Northern Lights, and a multitude of lakes, rivers, and streams.
Amenities
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Prince George offers the “big city” amenities for the region, with a wonderful variety of restaurants, shopping – downtown and indoor mall, and many sports venues, including the CN Centre which hosts Western Hockey League games. North of Prince George, the region is ready for exploring: provincial parks literally dot the landscape, offering managed wilderness areas for fishing, camping, hiking, and simply “getting away from it all.”
Infrastructure
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Operated by the regional health authority, hospitals in this area include University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, and Fort Nelson General Hospital. Post secondary institutions include University of Northern British Columbia, College of New Caledonia, Coast Mountain College, and Northern Lights College. Prince George Airport is the sole international airport for the northern region, with multiple regional airports providing additional travel, including Northern Rockies Regional Airport, Smithers, Prince Rupert, and Fort Nelson.
