It depends on what type of person you are? Are you younger or older? Are you a homebody or do you like to be out partying or going to concerts, hockey games etc? Do you like snow or no snow? ( some parts of BC are warmer with little to no snow in the winter) Do you like big cities or small cities? Do you like to shop?
You need to give us more information OP. Vancouver is a fantastic city, but very expensive. If you can afford it and enjoy an urban life style, it’s a hard place to beat. If you like the dryer climate of the east side of the mountains, Kelowna is really nice. It has some fantastic mountain bike trails.
Gulf Islands are great, but avoid Salt Spring Island. It is too urban and congested. If you're looking for a hippy lifestyle, the other islands are better.
Penticton for it's 3 Mile Nude Beach section Vancouver - Wreck Beach Vancouver Island, Duncan - Sol Sante nudist resort.
I'm on Vancouver Island, little village called Cobble Hill. 5 of us living on an acre in one small house, 2 trailers and a camper. Got a great garden (long growing season here) We're on a feeder road from the highway but its pretty peaceful most of the time, if any of you are in this area, PM me for the address and you're more than welcome to drop in and check us out
I'm in Kelowna, and I don't like it there. I feel like all of the tourism is so geared towards outdoor recreation, and that there's nothing to do for us indoorsy types.
I live in Kamloops, I'm not a fan of the lower mainland or island. They're both beautiful places, but way too expensive. Very congested, rent or mortgages are hard to make, parking sucks, crime and drugs are everywhere.
I live in Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Population about 33,000. Lots of amenities with parks, walking trials, cafe’s and restaurants. Seashore and lot’s of lakes in the area, overall a very picturesque area. During my lifetime I’ve lived all across Canada, Halifax, Saint John, Southern Ontario, Northern Ontario, Slave Lake, Calgary, Edmonton, High River, Kamloops, Richmond, Sidney but my favourite of all is Campbell River. From where I live I can be anywhere in town in about 10 minutes.
I'm on the Island about 45 miles South of Nanaimo in Cobble Hill and I love it. I've lived here my whole life (I'll be 60 in June)