Thread: Where to live in BC

Hi all,

I'm new to forum. Will be moving to BC around August 09 via work. I have a certain amount of say in the area we move to. Considerations are east of Vancouver as far as Princeton, possibly north around Squamish or Pemberton and finally the southern end of Vancouver Island ( Duncan area?). Any members willing to pass on any recommendations or places to steer clear of? We are a young family with a 7 year old girl and a boy who will be 2 by then. Gotta take schools into account, things to do etc. Any advice you may have will be greatly appreciated. I go out in Feb to choose. Thanks all.

Hi Sheena

Thanks for the welcome, its always nice to get a friendly message.
Looking forward to hearing from those in know lol.

Take care.

Originally Posted by Paul38

Hi all,

I'm new to forum. Will be moving to BC around August 09 via work. I have a certain amount of say in the area we move to. Considerations are east of Vancouver as far as Princeton, possibly north around Squamish or Pemberton and finally the southern end of Vancouver Island ( Duncan area?). Any members willing to pass on any recommendations or places to steer clear of? We are a young family with a 7 year old girl and a boy who will be 2 by then. Gotta take schools into account, things to do etc. Any advice you may have will be greatly appreciated. I go out in Feb to choose. Thanks all.

Hi Paul

Sorry cant help too much but we moved over to Ontario 2 years ago with the young ones and they have settled in no problem. What I can tell you is some friends of ours from the UK moved over around Powell River which is near to the Squarmish / Pemberton area and they are very happy over there. We hope to go over at some point to see for ourselves but have been warned if you go out west you want to move there ?????.
Have a safe journey and I think your family will love it.

Regards

Andy

Welcome to B A Paul & family hope you like our little forum

Hi Paul,
I'm sorry I can't be of much help either. The only place, of those you have mentioned , that I have visited is Duncan. That only briefly for a couple of hours while on my way to Chemainus and Ladysmith. I do go to Vancouver Island from time to time, I have a friend in Victoria , so that's where I spend my time.
I googled each of the places you mentioned and there was a lot of information. You might try this to get a basic idea of each place, but really, the only way is to go and see for yourself.
Good luck,
Liz

Hi there, the Comox Valley is beautiful...if you can find work of of course. House prices are comparable to small towns in the UK but you get more for your money I guess.

The schools are very relaxed and most Brits I know put their kids in French Immersion which is an amazing opportunity for them to learn a language.

Lots of luck.

Paul, check out Maple Ridge BC. It is a growing city that is located 30min east of Vancouver. There are a lot of expats living there.

Shawnigan Lake area is quiet......but lovely community and I imagine good schools. There are lots of private schools situated here too if that takes your fancy! It's difficult to check out schools here as the Canadians are opposed to league tables and so on. You can only go and visit and talk with people....which tells you little and rather biased info. Anyway, Duncan would be a big no for me. It's a typical North American town...SOULLESS.....not for me but who knows.....you may like it????? Best of luck finding somewhere.

.. that's easy, The Okanagan Valley (but then I live here, so a wee bit biast) lololol

All the best,
Cal :)

I live near to those areas. Lived on the North Shore which is fantastic location wise and outdoors area too. Half way to Squamish and Whistler so all en-route for even more great outdoor sports areas which are world class, rock climbing, and skiing, and also mountain biking.

I'd say North Vancouver for sure is a safe bet and great place to live, but not lower side of the shore, but higher up, eg. Mount Seymour, Lynn Valley, West Vancouver which is also more expensive out of all areas on the North Shore but I love it there and spend many days there.
Schools are good too, some of the best are right there, Collingwood is one, and Bodwell is another, failing that catholic and church schools are good too - better than the public ones though North Shore does have some good public ones too but if you want your children to learn proper English then go for the first 3 suggestions. Otherwise prepare for them to speak American English which I personally can't stand and don't want my own child learning, so I too will be selecting one of the above three for him.

Steer clear of Surrey over here, ours in UK is posh and decent, but here it is the opposite and gangs commonly live there. Cheap to live there but a reason for that.. not the place to live really.

Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam are the Tricities and that is another great place to live and where I now live. Just thirty mins drive from the North Shore too, and same to the city, nicely away from the crowded city in any case.

In any case over here you won't be too far from it all.

Squamish can have severe winters where they get snowed in for 3 days and can't go anywhere (driving or otherwise), and it is also much colder up there and Whistler too obviously with not so much work prospects, but North Shore you are close to the city and there is work in both areas far more than Squamish or Whistler has to offer. Of course if you run your own business it does not matter where you live in that respect, but be warned there are cougars and bears more so to worry about at Squamish etc, and some recent attacks too. Though you have to watch out and be bear aware pretty much anywhere now apart from the city as they can appear anywhere rural.

Good luck :)