biggayowl

After four years in Van and two Canadian babies later, we're facing up to the reality that even on a decent income, we've got to leave the city for someplace new. This may be back to Europe, but equally it might also be BC.

There's a number of places we're interested in, but our only experience is as tourists or day tripping.

Our only real criteria is decent community & good schools / childcare.

So would appreciate any insight from people who live or have lived in any of the following places.

Gibsons
Sooke
Cumberland
Halfmoon Bay
Nelson
Vernon

I also want to say Revelstoke - but just seems too remote (even compared to Nelson)

Cheers

Stinkypup

We live just outside Vernon-we moved here in 2009
Personally, it gives us a good enough balance-good access to beautiful countryside, good outdoor activities-skiing/snowboarding, Lake activities in the summer, mountain biking, hiking. Not too remote-we did consider Nelson, it was second on our list but we felt it was indeed too remote, access to the outside world was somewhat more limited, especially over the winter. We feel that access to a decent airport is important to get both us and family in and out relatively easily and Kelowna airport fits that bill-Castlegar not so much. Nelson having said that has amazing scenery and again outdoor activities but an opportunity came up for us in Vernon and we took it.

It isn't the cultural centre of the world, it does however have a fairly good local dramatic arts scene, It has an amazingly good performing arts centre-central Kelowna is only 40 min. away and has good shopping, a wider range of restaurants and a broader access to the arts/music. Obviously being in good wine growing country has its benefits but also with the heat comes risk of fires in the summer which I see as the only major downside to be honest-having said that, they seem to thankfully be swiftly onto any fires although obviously this cannot be guaranteed.

With regard to kids, the younger ones will have a fantastic time, even the old ones will although they may get a little bored and get itchy feet once they get to an age where leading up to perhaps leaving for University/further education but are indeed quite happy to put their feet up during holiday time.Childcare facilities are I gather fine although have no personal experience of this

Schools were also important to us, obviously less of a range than in Vancouver but still pretty good. There is a private school near UBCO near Kelowna airport if this is your bag but personally the public schools are just fine. There are a good selection of both elementary and high schools, none of them particularly bad or that I would avoid.

I don't know what your line of work is, the Okanagan is a beautiful place to live if you can find work or can work remotely, availability of well-paid jobs is not so easy-there was a steady trail of the local young population heading up to the oil patch but obviously this is changed at the last 18 months or so.

We enjoy living here, if we had an opportunity to change location, I don't think that we would, we have everything that we need here or if need be can travel, around 4 1/2 hours to Vancouver on the highway or 45 min. in a plane!
Obviously we haven't been living in Vancouver with all that it has to offer!
HTH

BristolUK

Sold!

Stinkypup

I should have been a realtor

JonboyE

Gibsons is a good place to live. I have not lived there exactly but I know it quite well, and there is a very good chance I will live there before too long. Property is certainly much more affordable than the Lower Mainland as long as you do not need sea front.

I would not want to commute to Vancouver on a daily basis (though I know people who do). That said, it is near enough to do. People I know who moved there say at first they travel back to Vancouver every week then, as Coast Time starts to get under their skin, every month, then every three months, then just for special occasions or a big Costco shop.

Is the Halfmoon Bay you list the one further up the Sunshine Coast? If so, it is too small for me. Hardly any facilities.

The only thing that would put me off from living in Gibsons is hospital access. There is a small general hospital in Sechelt but if you need to see specialists then it will be on the ferry to Lions Gate in West Van. Not a huge imposition but it will get tiring if you have to do it regularly.

Oink

Have you considered Qualicum Beach or Comox?

biggayowl

JonboyE - I'm favouring Gibsons personally - like the proximity to the city if needed (as you said), but also can still be in Whistler within a couple of hours too. So far I can't persuade my partner it's not one big retirement community on the Sunshine Coast - and yes, it's that Halfmoon Bay - We've not been, but heard there's a great Fish and Chip place, so that's got me intrigued.

Stinkypup - I've read some of your previous posts on Vernon and was hoping you'd respond. We stayed there once for a night a few years back and loved the scenery, but felt that the town itself was a bit short on charm (like so many in BC) - hence Nelson being on our list. Ive belatedly caught the ski bug, so definitely keen to check out Silver Star and Revelstoke. My partner's a Veterinarian, so I'm fairly confident she should have no problem finding work in either in Vernon or Kelowna. I'm far less employable though, but usually manage to land on my feet.

biggayowl

Yeah, thinking about Cumberland (not been) but seems like it's got some character and mountain biking, coast, skiing and lake all close by. Plus flights to YVR from Comox.

snoopdawg

Vernon, not pretty, but improving but TBH it's just functional. I doubt you'd live in town, most live on the outskirts, where the scenery is beautiful. Nelson is prettier but relatively remote and small.

scrubbedexpat091

Just wanted to add Qualicum Beach also has flights to YVR via KD Airlines. Small planes, but lands at the South Terminal with a shuttle to the main terminal.

biggayowl

We're going on a recce to the Island in a few months time, so will add Qualicum to the list. I'm guessing it's pretty popular with retirees? More so than young families?

not2old

in all of the places the OP mentioned aren't property prices wide & varied as would be rentals?

Then there is the work situation to deal with

Vernon vs Qualicom beach area , Vernon 'it may seem' would be a less costly place to live as well as maybe more jobs?

A woman I've known since my teen years from my home town in the UK lives in 100 mile house & has been there for the past 30 years. Prior she lived in Vancouver



.

biggayowl

I'd say the house prices are all broadly similar, in so much as they are at least vaguely affordable. I think you get more for your money in Vernon as oppose to Gibsons, but you can buy a three or four bed house in all of them for under $500,000. It's a big part of our motivation of course.

Work shouldn't be too much of an issue for my partner, more so for me.

Stinkypup

You are comparing Vernon which is substantially bigger to the other places. 40k versus 4-10k the other communities. Obviously your wife would need to see whether there are any vacancies in the local vet practices, and job availabilities may be limited in a very small community for you. I can see the appeal of living in Gibsons although I think you may well be in the young minority!Whistler is beautiful but there are some pretty good other ski resorts scattered around BC which may well be just as accessible.

The attached photo- shows the idiots on Kalamalka Lake (far left in the photo) playing the iced hockey and skating on what looked like thin ice- not for me thanks

Tootlepootle

Thats good to know, we were planning trip and OH might have to come a few days late....better than trying to get over on foot!!