Moved: squamish
 

I've never been here but from looking on the web it seems like an "us" sort of place - OH was hooked as soon as he read about the windsurfing.

Does anybody live there or know more about it.... it looks from the piccies that the downtown area is a bit..uuum..tired, but i've read that development is planned for the downtown and oceanfront areas. Is this definitely going ahead or still just a proposal..

also, are the schools any good?

thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply.

toodlepips

Re: squamish
 

Don't know about anyone else but I'm totally :confused:

Re: squamish
 

Never been, but I'd imagine it gets pretty busy with people going to/from whistler

Re: squamish
 

Here Koogs where the heck have you been

Not seen you on BE for ages

How many times have you been round the world then

Eddie

Re: squamish
 

Hi :) Don't know much about the place as we have only driven through it on the way to Whistler. We did stop at Shannon Falls for an hour ........ very pretty.

The schools website is www.sd48.bc.ca & might be worth a look :)

ps.......my friend just sent me some photos of Old Market & Broadmead, don't think I'd recognise the place if I come home :(

Re: squamish
 

Squamish is on the Sea to Sky highway, which is currently being updated to accommodate the 2010 Olympics. Nightmare for traffic right now. Most of the towns along that route are on the tired side, but there is a lot of development taking place. The Olympics is likely to revitalize the area. Property prices have risen sharply since Vancouver got the Olympics. It is a nice area, although transport routes are restrictive. The only way out is through Lillooet (North, can be dodgy in winter) or south through Vancouver. The drive without traffic hold ups is about an hour to Vancouver. Lots of people commute into Vancouver.

Good idea to visit before deciding. Google maps gives a good idea of highway layout and driving times.

Re: squamish
 

Hello Eddie.
Been away for a while and it looks like I may have to swap to the USA forum in the near future. Met me an American girly and all's going well so far.
Umm.... I've literally been around the world 3 times (NZ twice and OZ once). Is that what you meant or did you mean how far have I driven since going to canada.
Glad to hear from you mate and hope all is well.
I don't know enough people on here now to do one of my polls.... lol.
be good.
Koog.

Re: squamish
 

We visited 3 years ago and stayed locally. Can't say i was particularly impressed with the town, not much there and didn't really get any vibes from the area itself.
Just my opinion of course.

Re: squamish
 

Squamish is hyping itself as the outdoor capital of Canada. There's definitely a lot to do. Friends of mine go there for the rock climbing. My daughter goes there dirt biking, and there are bike and hiking trails. Windsurfing and kayaking too.

It is a blue collar town which is benefitting from the olympic effect. This is mostly because the sea to sky highway is being improved and hence it becomes more easily commutable to Vancouver - or Whistler. The plans for developing the waterfront are on the way and this will be a great boost to the area. It is still an area with prospects and the real estate price rises are still expected to go up.

You have to visit to see what you think. BTW the tv series "men in trees" is filmed there - though set in Alaska - so you will get glimpses of the area. The Squamish Chief (the mountain) appears fairly regularly.

Warmly,

Frank

Re: squamish
 

thanks for all your replies......

bananahammock - bristol is surely changing - it makes you realise how a bit of development (or a lot) can totally transform a city...maybe thats what will happen to Squamish. I reckon OH and me will head out there in the NY minus the terrible tots.

anybody reading this live in squamish?????????

toodlepips

Re: squamish
 

Just thought I'd pop in here and say "Hi" because I'm from Bristol too though been living in BC many years. And yes, it surely is changing over there, recently got back and going again next March.

Squamish would be a great investment right now, there are so many plans in the making for that area and big stuff happening resort-wise. Many of the people I've been working with (in commercial real estate) have been investing in residential stuff there and prices have been steadily rising for the past year or so. The 2010 Olympics is a huge factor, of course, but it will sustain growth after it's all over.

Good luck.

Re: Moved: squamish
 

A good friend of mine lives in Squamish and commutes to North Vancouver each day for work. It is doable and will become much more so in the next two years once the highway is complete.

Squamish is most famous for windsurfing and rock climbing but there is plenty more outdoors stuff to do. Don't be too put off by the tired downtown as it is not that different to most BC towns. If townscapes matter then (with the possible exception of Nelson) stick to Vancouver or Victoria. Anyway, as said, Squamish is being developed ahead of the Olympics.

As a place to live my concern is where will you work? If in Whistler this is about an hour away, though there is little in Whistler apart from tourism/hospitality work. Downtown Vancouver is, at best, an hour and this is very optimistic during the rush hour. Other parts of Metro Vancouver can be a real slog to get to on a daily basis. Life may be much easier with a shorter commute to work and a longer trip at the weekends for fun.

Re: Moved: squamish
 

When we did our recce last year we stopped in Squamish for a good few days. Before that all we had seen was the gas station on the way to Whistler. For me I felt Squamish wasn't what I was looking for as I thought it was "bitty" as there are 3 distinct housing areas and two commercial areas. For example if you lived in Brackendale or Garibaldi Heights you'd have to use your car to go downtown. I see Squamish as a through town on the way to Whistler although housing prices certainly have risen and there has been a lot of talk about about creating a new ski resort nearby.

We've decided to settle in Pemberton, a small community 25 minutes north of Whistler. For me it just felt nice - not very descriptive I know - but it had a community feel to it and the proximity to Whistler was better for us.

Anyway, hope my little contribution helps.

Zoe M. x

Re: Moved: squamish
 

I was pretty impressed with squamish and the community there, even though the olympics is making it pretty expensive, and people commuting to whistler/vancouver,
hmm
jon

Re: Moved: squamish
 

A good friend of mine - single, born in Canada - moved to Squamish last year but has moved back to Vancouver because she found Squamish, as a town, too dull for her liking. I have passed through Squamish several times and it is not a town I have ever felt, "wow, I wished I lived here!". But it is situated in an area close to the mountains and next to a large ocean fjord that allows for many outdoor recreational activities to be had. The town, as previously mentioned, is very blue collar. Do not expect a cosmopolitan atmosphere.