Want to live and work in Surrey?

Surrey is the Canadian city with the highest proportion of South Asian heritage. Indians (predominantly Sikh, with a strong presence in the Newton neighborhood) form the largest immigrant group. There are also large Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and more recently Syrian and Afghan communities.

English is the official language, but in many Surrey neighborhoods, Punjabi, Hindi, or Tagalog is heard more frequently than English. Bilingual signs (English and Punjabi) are common on streets such as 128th Street and Scott Road. The Latin American presence grows slowly, with Brazilians, Mexicans, and Venezuelans spread throughout the city without a defined neighborhood.

Surrey is a young city. The median age is lower than Vancouver's, with many families with young children. Areas such as Cloverdale and South Surrey attract more established families, while Whalley and Newton have a more recently-arrived immigrant profile.

The most characteristic type of housing in Surrey is the family home with a basement suite, a separate ground-floor apartment rented out to tenants. This format is a common option for newcomers looking for affordable rent. In Newton and Fleetwood, large homes (4-5 bedrooms) with basements sell for over CAD 1.2 million, but full-house rentals range from CAD 3,000 to CAD 4,000.

Surrey City Centre (Whalley) is undergoing transformation. New, modern buildings near Surrey Central station offer one-bedroom rentals between CAD 1,800 and CAD 2,500. South Surrey and White Rock have newer homes near the beach with a higher-end profile. Cloverdale has a small-town feel, with traditional homes and quiet streets.

Renting requires proof of income, references, and a half-month deposit. Surrey is known for being flexible with tenants who lack Canadian rental history, particularly among landlords from the Indian or Filipino community, who often accept a family guarantor or advance payment.

The Surrey School District is the largest in British Columbia, with more than 75,000 students. Public schools are free for children of residents or holders of valid work or study permits. Quality varies: South Surrey, White Rock, and Cloverdale tend to have schools rated higher in the Fraser Institute rankings, while Whalley and parts of Newton rank lower.

For post-secondary education, the city has Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus in City Centre, offering programs in engineering, technology, and management. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has campuses in Surrey and Cloverdale, with practical programs: nursing, design, business, and urban agriculture. Other regional options include Douglas College and University Canada West.

International students pay tuition between CAD 18,000 and CAD 30,000 per year at KPU or SFU, lower than at UBC. Many people pursue post-graduate certificates at colleges to obtain the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a common pathway to permanent residency.

Surrey carries a reputation as a dangerous city dating back to the 1990s and 2000s, when gang conflicts tied to drug trafficking were common. The current reality is mixed: most of the city is quiet, particularly South Surrey, Cloverdale, Fleetwood, and Guildford. Issues are concentrated on specific streets in Whalley (King George Boulevard, parts of Hastings) and certain stretches of Newton.

Property crimes are the most common: bicycle theft, vehicle smash-and-grabs, and break-ins of basement suites. In 2024, the local police transitioned from the RCMP to a new municipal force (Surrey Police Service), with the goal of increasing visible presence.

For those planning to move there, checking SafeStats or the police Crime Map for the target neighborhood before signing a lease is worthwhile. Avoiding leaving visible objects in the car, parking carefully, and paying extra attention to bicycle security address most everyday concerns.

Summer is the season residents prefer most. From June through September, highs stay around 23°C (73°F), with long afternoons, low humidity, and little rain. Most homes lack central air conditioning, though portable units are becoming more common as heat waves occur more frequently.

Winter brings significant rainfall. From November through February, highs range between 5°C and 8°C (41°F to 46°F), with rain on roughly 60% of days. Snow falls a few times per year and rarely disrupts the city. Light frost is possible in January.

For comfortable living in Surrey, a home with gas or electric heating, a well-sealed roof, and quality waterproof clothing are practical necessities. Extended gray skies can affect mood in winter, and many residents supplement with vitamin D. Spring arrives early, in March, with cherry blossoms.

Surrey does not rely on famous landmarks, but it offers a solid set of attractions for everyday life. The Surrey Art Gallery at Bear Creek Park exhibits West Coast artists and runs children's programming on weekends. The Historic Stewart Farm in Cloverdale reconstructs a late-19th-century farm and operates as a living museum. The Surrey Museum, also in Cloverdale, tells the history of the municipality with artifacts from the Semiahmoo and Katzie First Nations.

The calendar features two events that draw the entire city. The Vaisakhi Parade in April attracts over a hundred thousand people, celebrating the Sikh New Year with free food served on the streets of Newton. The Surrey Fusion Festival in July at Holland Park brings together dozens of national pavilions and showcases the city's diversity. For sports, the Cloverdale Rodeo at the end of May is a tradition, featuring bull riding competitions and country music performances.

Nature lovers have strong options. Crescent Beach in South Surrey is the closest beach for residents living far from the coast, with trails connecting to Blackie Spit. Tynehead Regional Park preserves old-growth forest and has a salmon hatchery open to visitors. For shopping and dining, Central City Shopping Centre hosts major retailers, while 128th Street in Newton offers Canada's best selection of Punjabi restaurants.