Moving to BC as an artist
Jan 31st 2021, 12:45 pm
#32
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2018
Location: Exeter, UK
Posts: 28
Re: Moving to BC as an artist
I think March would be a good time to move you'll have the summer ahead to enjoy 
We moved to the Okanagan in July 2019
The main reason for the Okanagan was family.
Why I love it here is the amazing climate, surrounded by beautiful wineries. The lakes. Paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking. In the summer you can plan to have a BQ and almost guarantee it will be gorgeously sunny and dry. Although in winter we get more snow than the western part of BC it's milder and a much dryer climate. It so warm cactuses actually grow in people gardens here! lol
I can't comment or compare with other places in BC but I found rent is high compared to UK and many homeowners Airbnb rather than rent, so finding accommodation was hard. We ended up staying with family for 5 months rather than weeks and then had to to do with an apartment because finding a house to rent was impossible. You would visit the place only to find out it was a shared house or shared laundry or just the bottom level of the house. Some were only available in the winter months. So that is something to keep an eye on. We are not settled, so holding off buying a home. I'm frequently told that if I visit the West Coast I would never want to leave because of my love of forests, coast, trees and nature that emanates through my art. So would like to visit there, after this pandemic. Love Golden, Nekusp and Nelson too! Spoilt for choice really. So I'm not that helpful sorry LOL
One last thing some places don't have internet or even mobile reception so with your work that would need to be checked out.
Where are you thinking of going to?
We moved to the Okanagan in July 2019
The main reason for the Okanagan was family.
Why I love it here is the amazing climate, surrounded by beautiful wineries. The lakes. Paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking. In the summer you can plan to have a BQ and almost guarantee it will be gorgeously sunny and dry. Although in winter we get more snow than the western part of BC it's milder and a much dryer climate. It so warm cactuses actually grow in people gardens here! lol
I can't comment or compare with other places in BC but I found rent is high compared to UK and many homeowners Airbnb rather than rent, so finding accommodation was hard. We ended up staying with family for 5 months rather than weeks and then had to to do with an apartment because finding a house to rent was impossible. You would visit the place only to find out it was a shared house or shared laundry or just the bottom level of the house. Some were only available in the winter months. So that is something to keep an eye on. We are not settled, so holding off buying a home. I'm frequently told that if I visit the West Coast I would never want to leave because of my love of forests, coast, trees and nature that emanates through my art. So would like to visit there, after this pandemic. Love Golden, Nekusp and Nelson too! Spoilt for choice really. So I'm not that helpful sorry LOL
One last thing some places don't have internet or even mobile reception so with your work that would need to be checked out.
Where are you thinking of going to?
My other preferred destination is on the coast in Victoria or Salt springs, still with a decent climate but mostly with a good arts community.
Jan 31st 2021, 5:10 pm
#33
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Moving to BC as an artist
Saltspring and the Cowichan Valley are very arty
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Jan 31st 2021, 10:28 pm
#34
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2018
Location: Exeter, UK
Posts: 28
Re: Moving to BC as an artist
oh wow, thanks for the tip. i've been looking at salt springs and victoria and all this time there was this magical place nearby i'd never noticed....Cowichan Valley looks amazing, im def gonna do some research on that place now....any recs on any of the towns in the valley? i liked the look of Chemainus on initial viewing, maybe Duncan as well....
Feb 1st 2021, 3:20 am
#35
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Moving to BC as an artist
oh wow, thanks for the tip. i've been looking at salt springs and victoria and all this time there was this magical place nearby i'd never noticed....Cowichan Valley looks amazing, im def gonna do some research on that place now....any recs on any of the towns in the valley? i liked the look of Chemainus on initial viewing, maybe Duncan as well....
Feb 1st 2021, 3:24 am
#36
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Moving to BC as an artist
oh wow, thanks for the tip. i've been looking at salt springs and victoria and all this time there was this magical place nearby i'd never noticed....Cowichan Valley looks amazing, im def gonna do some research on that place now....any recs on any of the towns in the valley? i liked the look of Chemainus on initial viewing, maybe Duncan as well....
