Special Series: Surrey Why We Live Here

Surrey is the second largest city in B.C., the biggest school district in the province, and home to one of the most diverse populations you'll find anywhere in Canada. However, if you hear about Surrey in the news, you'll likely come across one of the following phrases:

• "Rapid growth"
• "Violence has plagued the city"
• "More affordable than Vancouver"
• "Crowded classrooms"

In this series, Surrey Why We Live Here, CBC's Jesse Johnston will go beyond the cliches to find out what it is about Surrey that makes 800 people move there every month.

Tune in to CBC Radio One's The Early Edition at 7:10 a.m. PT, and watch CBC Vancouver News at 6 from March 11 - 15 to catch the weeklong series, Surrey Why We Live Here.

March 11: Welcome to Whalley

One of Surrey's most recognizable and spectacular buildings is St. Mary's Orthodox Ukrainian Church. Bessie Bonar - who calls Whalley home - used a photograph of another church as a guide when she designed it by hand in 1950.

March 12: The Suburban Farm

When the Zaklan family started farming in Surrey in the 1920s, they were surrounded by wide open space. They're still farming today but now their land is rubbing up against townhouses and highways. How has the family'slove for agriculture and the city's rapid development coexisted for nearly a century?

March 13: Newton The City Within a City

Newton's population is bigger than Coquitlam's, more than double the size of New Westminster's and is more than three times as large as West Vancouver's. So why doesn't it get more regional attention? Local businesses and Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara shed some light.

March 14: Clayton Heights Young Family Central

You know your community was designed for young families when the most popular coffee shop in town revolves around playdates. The cafe's owners say Clayton Heights is the perfect place for their booming business.

March 15: Guildford The Neighbourhood of Open Arms

For years, Guildford has accepted refugees from around the world - like Safari Kabumbe who came to Canada as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kabumbe shares what role the diverse community plays in welcoming newcomers to Canada.

Listen to The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn weekday mornings on CBC Radio One, and watch CBC Vancouver News at 6 weekdays with Mike Killeen and Anita Bathe.