The Pros & Cons of Living in Small Town British Columbia

Picture yourself driving along one of British Columbia’s picturesque highways – which is easy because they’re all picturesque. We live in one of the most beautiful corners of the planet. British Columbia is built on nearly one million square kilometres of forest, mountain and open plain. We’re fortunate if we call any spot of real estate in BC home.

One of the great things about our province is the choice available to us when it comes time to set down roots. And even once we do set down those roots, the journey is free to continue anywhere through BC.

The lights and action of one of Canada’s largest cities? Vancouver has you covered. A blue collar community built on the construction, forestry, and manufacturing? Prince George is the city for you. A quiet life filled with all the outdoors has to offer? Try Nelson, Enderby or any one of a hundred locations nestled on the edge of civilization.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, you have choices. The key is to prioritize what’s important to you.

Pros

1. Cost

British Columbia might still be the most expensive province to live in, but that average is boosted by real estate in Vancouver. Prices drop dramatically the further you move into the interior or into the north, where weather conditions become more severe. If you don’t mind the winter, then you’re in luck!

2. Space

Unlike the major centres of Vancouver and Victoria, small town British Columbia has space to spare. Many people pick up and move to smaller locations where they can find a home with a yard or ample greenspace to enjoy. There’s something special about biking and hiking through the woods without a soul around for miles. Just make sure you know what you’re doing!

3. Access

For those of us who get nervous just thinking about rush hour traffic, life in the slow lane is a dream come true. Small towns in BC are normally situated near a major highway or two, meaning it’s easy to get in and out without the sheer volume of people you might experience on a normal commute from North Vancouver to Burnaby.

Cons

1. Entertainment

What do you value? Theatres, restaurants, and countless options for the arts? It will vary on the size of the town, but retreating to a rural setting often means giving up the finer things in life you might enjoy in a big city. Sure, small towns still find ways to entertain themselves, but the options are obviously limited to what the local economy can support.

2. Jobs

For most people living in British Columbia – well, in any province in Canada for that matter – the ultimate deciding factor when it comes to choosing a place to live will be cost. And how do we determine what we’ll be able to afford?

Employment. It’s a balancing act. You might find better work in a large urban centre, but then you’re paying for the cost of living. Moving to a small town might represent a dock in your earnings, and we need to work, right?

The key to remember is that every case is unique. If you can weigh the pros and cons of a potential move and develop a clear budget and list of needs, then you’re ahead of the game.

Need funds for a move? We can help!