januarymix

Hello everyone

I know this is a far flung question but just looking for some advice/pointers please.

Looking for areas in Canada that have mild temp (mildest available anyway). near mountains that can be climbed-hiked-admired-trekked (within the hour or so drive), reasonable job prospects for business workers or health instructors, and the chance of buying property that is not too expensive. ie not too overpriced. Also I assume Canada is not too bigoted as a liberal mindset is preferred.

My natural inclination would be BC/Vancouver areas but I have heard property there is very expensive (median of over 700K). Therefore, are there areas near there that have much much much cheaper housing or are there other areas that can be thought of that are still meeting the above list?

Many thanks for your help

Atlantic Xpat

I've always wondered, how come only right wingers can be bigoted? Isn't it possible to be a liberal bigot?

Anyway, BC sounds like what you seek, aside from the cost of housing. I'll leave the west coasters to tell you whether your nirvana exists or not.

januarymix

It's a fair point but I posted in haste, and not intended as a political statement, just meant I prefer liberal areas and mindsets.

Okie, yep.

JonboyE

Then southwest BC fits the bill.

Vancouver for business, and with a growing and aging population I don't think the need for healthcare is going away anytime soon. However, you will almost certainly need to be re-certified.

Oh.

I am not sure bigoted is the exact word, but rural BC tends to be white, christian and conservative. Often very friendly people, but if you want a liberal mindset then stick to the cities.

That will be a figure for the City of Vancouver? The suburbs can be much cheaper. Where you will work, and how much you will earn, will dictate whereabouts you can comfortably live. To be honest, I would concentrate on researching this first.

Tangram

Urban or Suburban

januarymix

Thanks so much ! Jon !

That helps, and what I suspected. (except house price issue )

Can you give me any pointers as to burbs / areas I can look at for researching house prices etc. ?

januarymix

Mmm well both are OK for me but I think I will need to go further out from a price perspective.

We are considering starting a health center as well so a bit further out as long as people will 'travel' there.

christmasoompa

If you can give people an idea of your housing budget and what you want for the money (i.e how many bedrooms, what type of house, land, etc), then they can give you ideas of which areas may be affordable for you.

januarymix

Thanks christmasoompa!!

Travel:

We envisage having one car. Travelling up to one hour not a problem. An area where we can set up a retreat/health care center would be ideal.

Weather

Ideally, mild please :P

Preferred amenities:

Nearer to mountains as avid mountaineers (within hour ok too).
Good schools for infant/early childcare and schooling. Some shops and restaurants would be fantastic !!!! AT least a good supermarket.

Characteristics:

Safe. Nice ie friendly if possible and liberal community.
Land fertile for gardening

$

As to budget that is the hard one...If we could spend less than 150K that would be superb, if we HAVE to go up to 250K that would really stretch us but possible with mortgage etc....

Acreage

As to acreage, well we want a place where we can live and have a center..I don't know in terms of acreage but a larger plot perhaps (not sure)..

Employment prospects

Oh and a place where I could find employment (supermarket or banks etc) Something that mnight be needed when we first go over to tide us over (if possible) so perhaps a larger rather than smaller community area

Does that help? I know it's a wishlist but it is mine

Thankyou!

Piff Poff

I think for that sort of budget, you will have to look North or East, then you lose mountains or desired climate and you will certainly be in the middle of nowhere. Have a look at www.Realtor.ca and do a search on there so you can see where your money might take you.

Almost Canadian

Bountiful, BC would appear to fit the bill

el_richo

Which of are wants and which are needs?

In BC you'll definitely have to compromise although your budget (assuming the figure you have given is £ and not $) will extremely limit where your options will be.

Personally i don't think you'll find VERY cheap acreage, liberal mindset, large community with employment, and a mild climate, in BC, or anywhere else in Canada.

dbd33

I'm concerned with the repeated reference to a "liberal mindset" and wonder how liberal is needed. In Dufferin County, which is rural but within two hours of the CN tower, the gay couple are tolerated, that is no one speaks to them but they don't get their house burned down. The locals have no direct experience of non-white people, I had an Indian woman at the house once when there were neighbours present. Later, people I'd not previously met mentioned the fact shortly after being introduced so it was plainly the talk of the "town" for months if not years. People know which residents are not Protestants but I don't believe Catholicism is still grounds for discrimination.

Where I'm going is that rural Canada is conservative in a way Europeans wouldn't imagine. Vegetarianism, an interest in gun control, or a desire to operate a hybrid vehicle woud be the kiss of death socially. I hope "liberal mindset" in this context doesn't imply wanting the kind of place where one publicly drink imported beer.

januarymix

Interesting

Liberal in my own unthought through context means - Live and let live.

For example vegetarianism, pro human rights etc

Hm, interesting, so only urban would be more 'liberal' (I am not very politically aware so perhaps it has broader meanings!)

januarymix

Needs would be more safety, amenities (mountains, shops, good schools) and fertile acreage/decent milder weather I guess

Anyway by the way this thread is going any suggested nicer areas around town meeting anything would help me do some research.

I have looked on realtor.ca and houses seem available for those prices so I am not sure why you say there aren't any. But as I don't know these areas well perhaps I am looking in the wrong ones HENCE this thread.