Relocating to BC?

Question

I'm going to be relocating to BC next year, and want to get peoples opinion on the following cities.

-Duncan

-Powell River

-Nanaimo

I'm getting into photography so overall it doesn't matter exactly where I live, however I prefer smaller places, but close to stores. Also I don't drive a car (ride a bicycle) so a bike friendly city is a high priority.

Budget for housing is under $200,000. I'd prefer a house but realize that odds are I'll end up with a condo with my budget.

Also if anyone else has any suggestions on other cities/towns I'd appreciate it.

Answer 1

Duncan is okay, very nice general area. Nanaimo is okay too though for some reason I just don't really like the place. Too sprawled out, maybe. Powell River has the advantage of cheap house prices but it's too quiet for me. It has more than you'd expect, some good restaurants and neat little stores, but it seems empty. I always wonder where all the people are. And there's not a lot of places to go without getting on a ferry or an airplane. Downtown is about 2 blocks long, and there's one heck of a hill from there to the upper parts of the city. Have you looked at the Comox Valley? I live there and like it very much. Courtenay/Comox, Cumberland, Royston, Union Bay, Merville/Black Creek, even Campbell River which isn't strictly in the valley but isn't far away. Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, Cumberland all pretty bike friendly, mostly flat. Courtenay and Campbell River's downtowns are compact but have lots of stores. The Comox Valley is crawling with artists of one kind or another, lots of craft fairs and farmer's markets and music. It's just possible that you might find a house for under $200,00, it'll be smaller and older but it would be a house. Search on mls.ca to get an idea.

Answer 2

Powel river is a small city but very beautiful at the West Coast. Housing shouldn't be that much either.

I'm not sure about other cities. Vancouver is probably too busy and expensive for you. I could suggest maple Ridge or Langley.

Answer 3

I like Nanimo best.

Duncan is OK

I like Powell River but it is further away than the others to a main city (Vancouver or Victoria). More iscolated.

Maybe somewhere in the Okanagan would also interest you?

Duncan is probably the smallest of the 3

Answer 4

If you want a house for that much money you'll probably have the best luck in Powell River, although I'm not sure how well you'll do there without a car!