Knows No Bounds
Posts: 2,650 
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
September 19th, 2007, 01:11 AM
There is quite a variance of weather in the courtenay/comox area. Comox is nearer the ocean and
is much dryer than the west side of courtenay, which receives more snow and rain along with Cumberland, (now, there is a 'different' town to live), if you 'really' desire to go back in time and live
in a small older looking house, and walk through a small older looking town, then Cumberland is the
place for you, it's cute.
I moved to the island in l980, Parksville for 3 years, then up to Courtenay, love love love it here, and
won't be going anywhere.
Housing prices are a little lower in Courtenay than Comox, (don't really know why), more knew housing
in Comox I guess, but I love it here in Courtenay, can walk to 'old' town courtenay which is cute as a
button, and they are keeping it that way, as all the knew big box stores are being built away fromthe
original town, and anything that is built here remains true to the town, nothing big and modern.
Campbell River's housing prices are a little lower than Courtenay, but not 'everywhere' up there, I
like it there too, and we go for drives and lunches to Campbell River often.
There is quite a variance of weather in the courtenay/comox area. Comox is nearer the ocean and
is much dryer than the west side of courtenay, which receives more snow and rain along with Cumberland, (now, there is a 'different' town to live), if you 'really' desire to go back in time and live
in a small older looking house, and walk through a small older looking town, then Cumberland is the
place for you, it's cute.
I moved to the island in l980, Parksville for 3 years, then up to Courtenay, love love love it here, and
won't be going anywhere.
Housing prices are a little lower in Courtenay than Comox, (don't really know why), more knew housing
in Comox I guess, but I love it here in Courtenay, can walk to 'old' town courtenay which is cute as a
button, and they are keeping it that way, as all the knew big box stores are being built away fromthe
original town, and anything that is built here remains true to the town, nothing big and modern.
Campbell River's housing prices are a little lower than Courtenay, but not 'everywhere' up there, I
like it there too, and we go for drives and lunches to Campbell River often.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,810
September 19th, 2007, 08:37 AM
Quoting Kreskin
We have never considered living in Ladysmith...........Right now we have a good situation in that we are in central Nanaimo within easy reach of any of the malls as well as the ferry. We have been looking at housing prices all over to get an indication of what the general housing market is like. At this point it doesn't look like Vancouver Island has gone through quite the same inflationary madness as the lower mainland.
You could be right. Ladysmith seems more affordable.
Newbie
Posts: 15
September 19th, 2007, 12:58 PM
Housing prices seem to be more expensive in Ladysmith compared to Port Alberni. Although, I think I am leaning towards Campbell River as there is more shopping available and less of a drive to the airport. However, my husband is leaning towards Port Alberni now because of cheaper housing and he would still have access to the open water. So, he thinks it may be worth the longer drive to the airport. hmm....
Housing prices seem to be more expensive in Ladysmith compared to Port Alberni. Although, I think I am leaning towards Campbell River as there is more shopping available and less of a drive to the airport. However, my husband is leaning towards Port Alberni now because of cheaper housing and he would still have access to the open water. So, he thinks it may be worth the longer drive to the airport. hmm....
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,810
September 19th, 2007, 01:23 PM
Joe Shmoe
Port Alberni is a nice little town that happens to have a pulp mill as one of it's larger employers. I was in Port Alberni on Monday and I didn't find the smell particularly offensive. Joe, you paint a terrible picture of the Island. I live in Nanaimo and I think it is one of the best little cities in Canada.
Joe Shmoe
Port Alberni is a nice little town that happens to have a pulp mill as one of it's larger employers. I was in Port Alberni on Monday and I didn't find the smell particularly offensive. Joe, you paint a terrible picture of the Island. I live in Nanaimo and I think it is one of the best little cities in Canada.
Time Out
Posts: 214
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
September 19th, 2007, 01:33 PM
There are many amazing places to live on the Island. Some parts, however, are industrial wastelands that are not fit for living in, although people still do..... usually becasue "housing is cheap".
I wonder why!?!?
Quoting #juan
Port Alberni does not equal all of the Island. It's just a place I wouldn't live due to a pulp mill in the middle of town!! I also wouldn't near Crofton, Elk Falls or at the south end of Nanaimo either. Nanaimo gets smelly and smoggy from Harmac some days, especially near the south end. *ick* Can't be good for you.... Joe Shmoe
Port Alberni is a nice little town that happens to have a pulp mill as one of it's larger employers. I was in Port Alberni on Monday and I didn't find the smell particularly offensive. Joe, you paint a terrible picture of the Island. I live in Nanaimo and I think it is one of the best little cities in Canada.
Port Alberni is a nice little town that happens to have a pulp mill as one of it's larger employers. I was in Port Alberni on Monday and I didn't find the smell particularly offensive. Joe, you paint a terrible picture of the Island. I live in Nanaimo and I think it is one of the best little cities in Canada.
There are many amazing places to live on the Island. Some parts, however, are industrial wastelands that are not fit for living in, although people still do..... usually becasue "housing is cheap".
I wonder why!?!?
Knows No Bounds
Posts: 2,650
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
September 20th, 2007, 01:24 PM
Ladysmith is a nice place, but I'm afraid it reminds me too much of New Westminster, where I grew up. One is either walking up hill or down, unless you stay on the top all the time. Ladysmith has some great newer homes overlooking the ocean, but a little higher up.
It's all on a big hillside, which caters to the views, but not comfort, in my opinion
Now that the saw mill is gone, there is very little industry in Courteny/Comox, very clean.
My husband was a sawfiler in that mill for years, so it seems sad when we drive by, and nothing is there.
It seems that 'up at the highest part of the Comox Valley, where Crown Isle Golf course is situated, is where everything will finally be, as two big auto dealerships now have moved there, ICBC is there, and they have lots and lots of empty land. Maybe our 'first' high rise will be up there, and I'm thinking that, in about 50 yrs or so, it will be the crowded urban area, with all the businesses.
Ladysmith is a nice place, but I'm afraid it reminds me too much of New Westminster, where I grew up. One is either walking up hill or down, unless you stay on the top all the time. Ladysmith has some great newer homes overlooking the ocean, but a little higher up.
It's all on a big hillside, which caters to the views, but not comfort, in my opinion
Now that the saw mill is gone, there is very little industry in Courteny/Comox, very clean.
My husband was a sawfiler in that mill for years, so it seems sad when we drive by, and nothing is there.
It seems that 'up at the highest part of the Comox Valley, where Crown Isle Golf course is situated, is where everything will finally be, as two big auto dealerships now have moved there, ICBC is there, and they have lots and lots of empty land. Maybe our 'first' high rise will be up there, and I'm thinking that, in about 50 yrs or so, it will be the crowded urban area, with all the businesses.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,810
September 21st, 2007, 10:59 AM
Quoting JoeSchmoe
I don't know where one might find "cheap" housing on Vancouver Island near any of the larger population centers. Lumber and pulp employ a lot of people on Vancouver Island and that is a fact of life. When the wind is from the wrong direction, we get a gentle whiff of the Harmac pulp mill but this is fairly rare, and I can't think of a place I would rather live.
Port Alberni does not equal all of the Island. It's just a place I wouldn't live due to a pulp mill in the middle of town!! I also wouldn't near Crofton, Elk Falls or at the south end of Nanaimo either. Nanaimo gets smelly and smoggy from Harmac some days, especially near the south end. *ick* Can't be good for you....
There are many amazing places to live on the Island. Some parts, however, are industrial wastelands that are not fit for living in, although people still do..... usually because "housing is cheap". I wonder why!?!?
There are many amazing places to live on the Island. Some parts, however, are industrial wastelands that are not fit for living in, although people still do..... usually because "housing is cheap".
I wonder why!?!?
Newbie
Posts: 31
September 22nd, 2007, 01:48 PM
Regards.
David
Quoting abmom
What do you and your husband do for a living such that you are able to choose where you want to live? Most people base their decision on where they can find work. Personally, I'd love to live in a small town; it is less-expensive, safer, and more free. However, IF you can find a job in a small town, you are pretty much stuck with it. In a big city, if you quit, get fired, the company shuts down, etc., you have a lot more options for finding another job quickly and not missing mortgage payments.
We are thinking about Courtenay/Comox and Campbell River.
Between the two, which would you choose?
Between the two, which would you choose?
Regards.
David
Newbie
Posts: 15
September 23rd, 2007, 10:52 AM
My husband will continue working in AB, he does shiftwork; he is on a 7 on/7 off rotation. So, when he is on his set of 7 days off, he'll fly back to where ever we live. I'm a stay at home parent. Basically we want to live somewhere that is relatively close to an airport, a nice place to raise kids, and shopping centers nearby.
My husband will continue working in AB, he does shiftwork; he is on a 7 on/7 off rotation. So, when he is on his set of 7 days off, he'll fly back to where ever we live. I'm a stay at home parent. Basically we want to live somewhere that is relatively close to an airport, a nice place to raise kids, and shopping centers nearby.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,810
September 23rd, 2007, 12:54 PM
What sort of house are you looking for? Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. What sort of price range?
Quoting abmom
I don't think you will find a better place than Nanaimo to satisfy your parameters. I don't know where your husband would be flying from but at Nanaimo, there are lots of direct flights to and from places like Calgary and Edmonton.
My husband will continue working in AB, he does shiftwork; he is on a 7 on/7 off rotation. So, when he is on his set of 7 days off, he'll fly back to where ever we live. I'm a stay at home parent. Basically we want to live somewhere that is relatively close to an airport, a nice place to raise kids, and shopping centers nearby.
What sort of house are you looking for? Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. What sort of price range?
