Langley

The City of Langley is a municipality of Metro Vancouver. It started as a settlement area of early European settlers known as the "Innes Corner" (named after the homesteader, Adam Innes). The area became called "Langley Prairie" during 1911, and lots of small communities formed and became the "Langley Township." However, Langley City decided to separate from this to be able to follow its urban development It became a municipality during 1955.

In the municipality, there are various art galleries including the BC Gallery, which was born here. The BC Gallery is committed showing numerous excellent works showing works of art by talented native artists. To be able to find different great works by brilliant native artists who are developing and exploring their creativity in art, these can be found at the Fort Gallery. Joy of Dawn shows creative glass art, and offers classes for fused glass and stained glass. Tribal Spirit Gallery showcases the First Nations' artwork of paddles, totem poles, masks, gold and silver jewelry, Brentwood boxes, prints and more. Urban Art and Custom Framing offers services, like for instance picture framing, digital giclee printing, canvas transfer and in-home or office consultation. Watershed Arts Cafe is a worldwide community art cafe that celebrates art in all designs and forms. Its wall comprises numerous works from the local musicians, community and LEGO artists. Museums likewise abound in the place.

Museums also abound in the place. History buffs would certainly like Aldergrove Telephone Museum, Canadian Museum of Flight, Fort Langley Heritage CN Rail Station, Fort Langley National Historic Site, and Langley Centennial Museum and National Exhibit Centre. Aldergrove Telephone Museum is found within the Aldergrove Telephone Exchange. It showcases telephone switchboards, old telephones, a Strowger step-by-step switch. The Canadian Museum of Flight is a "hands-on" museum which comprises over twenty five aircrafts, from the World War II Handley Page Hampden to a T-33 Silverstar. Fort Langley Heritage CN Rail Station was designed and created by the Great Northern Rail Road in the year 1915. The site is home to the Fort Langley Artists Group and various small museums. Fort Langley National Historic Site shows the historic original buildings and several interactive activities. Here, individuals will see the furs traded by the local people, along with various interesting activities, such as panning for gold in the river or observing the art of barrel making. Langley Centennial Museum and National Exhibit Centre explores the multi-cultural influences that helped shape the city as it is nowadays. There are numerous collections of the First Peoples' works, like for example woodcarvings, baskets, as well as other stone sculptures.

The city of Langley boasts of less living and business costs. According to KPMG's Competitive Alternatives Study during the year 2004, Langley (as well as Western Canada) has about 8% to 9% less expenses of utilities, labor, transportation, and taxes compared to the United States. Land, office space and housing costs within the city are a lot less. Langley's housing costs are about sixty percent lower compared to Vancouver, with retail leasing costs of around ten times less than Downtown Vancouver. Langley is considered the financial center for the Fraser Valley, and many can choose from amongst the lending institutions situated within the city, such as: Envision, Vancity, HSBC Canada, the Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Coast capital Savings, TD Canada Trust, and RCBC Financial.