You can't talk about Florida without talking about its beaches. All along the coast on both sides of the state, some quaint beach towns are not just tourist destinations. Florida has warm swimming weather year-round, so residents can take advantage of soaking up the sun 365 days of the year. It's a great perk to live in a beach area, so you don't even have to leave your home town to feel like you're on vacation. Being close to the beach can also help lower stress and improve your mood.

Florida is known for its theme parks and attractions such as Disney, Universal Studios, and Sea World. And there are a ton of smaller options as well. Living in Florida, you won't ever say you don't have anything to do as all these activities are just a short drive away, no matter where you live. And because you're a resident of Florida, you get some pretty amazing discounts for yourself and friends and family when they visit. And theme parks aren't just for children. Plan a date night at Universal Studios Walk where you can dine at some excellent restaurants by famous chefs like Wolfgang Puck, or a more casual dining option. There are tons of bars and nightclubs so you can make a night of it.

It's no secret that you can get a pretty phenomenal home in Florida for far less than other warm-weather cities. This is one reason that many retirees flock to Florida to enjoy their golden years in the warm sun. You can stretch your retirement budget. If you are planning a family or have children, the extra space will be appreciated.

Florida has tons of opportunities for career development. Many businesses are even opening up headquarters in Florida. They want to take advantage of some of the tax breaks the state has to offer. This helps to provide even more jobs for people looking to relocate to the sunny state. The unemployment rate has been on the decline in recent years, and the housing market is improving as well. This shows the popularity of living in Florida and should make homes an excellent investment for the future as housing prices continue to rise.

Canada's westernmost province sits between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and its largest city, Vancouver, is consistently ranked among the very best cities to live and work. Just recently, out of more than 230 cities across the globe, it was listed at No. 3 for its quality of living by Mercer, one of the largest human resources consulting firms in the world. 

It's not just Vancouver that offers a great quality of life. The standard of living is high throughout British Columbia. People from all over the world feel safe and comfortable living in B.C. with its rich ethnic mix that offers diverse cultural experiences including everything from the cuisine to arts and entertainment. There's a high value on both healthcare and education, with the province boasting some of the highest overall life expectancies and education levels in Canada. The low crime rates result in secure, safe communities across British Columbia.

A higher standard of living usually means a strong economy, and British Columbia has one of the country's most prosperous. Vancouver hosts multiple industries like software development, biotechnology, and alternative fuels, only to mention a few. There are several major international companies here too, like Microsoft, Intel, and IBM, while MacDonald, Dettwiler, and Associates (MDA) are one of the province's largest firms, employing more than a thousand who work in satellite and information systems technology.

Enjoy easy access to one of the world's best places for snow sports, or perhaps purchase one of the Whistler homes for sale so that you can be in the heart of it all. Whistler Blackcomb is North America's largest winter sports area, made up of two mountains with the combined skiable terrain providing over 200 runs that are accessed by 37 lifts. On a clear day, expert skiers can take in views that stretch all the way to the Pacific. Those who live in the city of Vancouver can reach it with just a two-hour drive. 

Those soaring mountains found throughout much of the province mean fun all year-round. When the snow melts, the hiking is fantastic. Of course, along with the coastal areas, opportunities for water sports like kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and even surfing are all popular pursuits. 

If you enjoy wildlife, you'll love British Columbia. It has an abundance, from grizzly bears to whales like orcas and humpbacks - in fact, it's one of the top spots for whale watching in the world. Inland, there are bighorn sheep, mountain goats moose and more. The province is home to over 1000 vertebrate species that include more than 140 different types of mammals, nearly 500 bird species, and hundreds of saltwater and freshwater fish species.