Relocating to the West Coast?

[1000 HP]

My wife and I are considering relocating to the Vancouver Area. We'd consider the island but northern BC is out. I work overseas on a rotation. One month in, one month out. Although I wouldn't mind flying a little floats part-time in my time off, I'd rather just do some sailing. I have a small airplane (Mooney) and unless I can sell it, I'll need a hopefully indoor parking spot. We are looking for housing in the $350 to $650K range. It must be a nice safe neighborhood. My wife works in the Health Care industry and likes shopping malls. Not knowing much about Vancouver or the burbs, I thought I'd throw this out here.

Thanks in advance,
1000 HP

[Cat Driver]

This is your lucky day.

I have a house with an awesome view over looking long lake in Nanaimo that I am considering selling.

Nanaimo has more shopping areas than most any place in Canada.......rel close to where I live.

There are several people here on Avcanada that have been in my home and can attest to the view.

I also have a sailboat that is for sale.

. E.

[The Mole]

If you want a Vancouver address your going to need at least 1-1.3 million for a house thats livable. Vancouver has million dollar crack shacks. There not just run down, crack heads actually live in them...... 2 bedroom condos something, decent 600-800k That will get you something livable. The valley is cheaper, but places like Abbotsford have no sole, despite the bible thumpers. Vancouver island, is laid back, cheaper housing. Good sailing. Way, way cheaper marinas and the small airports seem more accommodating to general aviations.

[The Mole]

This is your lucky day.

I have a house with an awesome view over looking long lake in Nanaimo that I am considering selling.

Nanaimo has more shopping areas than most any place in Canada.......rel close to where I live.

There are several people here on Avcanada that have been in my home and can attest to the view.

I also have a sailboat that is for sale.

. E.

What kind of sailboat.

[Cat Driver]

It is a retractable keel 19 foot Sandpiper 565.

Six sails ....4 H.p. Suzuki four stroke and a depth sounder / GPS with mapping charts.

[ScudRunner]

BC=Bring Cash

[1000 HP]

Have cash - will bring

[1000 HP]

It is a retractable keel 19 foot Sandpiper 565.

Six sails ....4 H.p. Suzuki four stroke and a depth sounder / GPS with mapping charts.

Sounds like a nice boat. I was looking for something just a little bigger, like 32 feet. My last one was a 16' Albacore but I've sailed a 30' racer. Kept bumping my head. Need a higher cabin

But house first, then sell airplane, then buy boat. Gotta keep things in proper order..

[Relic]

If you get a hanger and have room to rent a parking spot let me know

[SeptRepair]

Remember, you can always sleep in your plane, but you can never fly your house. Im on the island and love it. One city that seems to be taking off and has reasonable house prices is Courtenay/Comox. Major airport, Sking half hour away, and a pretty laid back low crime area.

[1000 HP]

Have you ever tried sleeping in a Mooney? I might just have to get that T-28 with a reclining pod mod...

But seriously, it sounds good. I had to shovel 2 feet of snow Oct 24th two days before getting on the plane to Indo. Uggg...

[angry inch]

Sounds like you definitely need to check out Vancouver Island. Plenty of places to offer what you described above.

C'mon out!

[wordstwice]

Some of the better neighborhoods in the GVA are Steveston, White Rock, Coquitlam and getting beyond the GVA Cloverdale and Langely. All these areas are very safe and have the amenities you wanted. Keep in mind this is all very subjective.

The only issue will be your budget for a house. $300K will get you an old condo at best, $650K will get you a nice townhouse in Steveston and White Rock and a pretty decent house in Cloverdale/Langley.

[ea306]

You will love Vancouver Island Definitely!

Chucks home in Nanaimo has a view that is simply stunning. Very safe neighborhood and also not a very far drive to the Nanaimo Hospital and many other health care facilities. Harbour Air & Air Canada are good commuting options. Two ferry routes to the mainland.

Courtney / Comox is a very beautiful community which is also building a new 2nd hospital. Property prices are affordable and the area is very picturesque. Two airports. Not as many shopping malls...but no shortage of Malls either.

Both communities have marinas. Courtney is at the base of Mount Washington which offers some excellent skiing as well.

[longjon]

The Island for sure, the lower mainland is a rat race with way to many people.
The Frazer Valley is nice but if you have a choice look at the island.
Nanaimo and the Comox valley has everything you're looking for . This doesn't apply to you but beware the Sunshine Tax, as I call it, its such a nice place to live and jobs are so scarce that you're expected to work for low wages.

[iflyforpie]

If I was going back that way, I'd definitely go for the Island. The threshold of affordability in the Lower Mainland is around the Langley Area and it just leaves you with most of the drawbacks of city living wih none of the benefits. Until all of the rig pigs figure out that it is just as easy to rotate from the Comox Valley as it is from Calgary (some have), prices are much more reasonable and there is so much more to offer on the island for sailing and flying.

[The Mole]

It is a retractable keel 19 foot Sandpiper 565.

Six sails ....4 H.p. Suzuki four stroke and a depth sounder / GPS with mapping charts.

Classic day sailer.

Ill stick with the Nacra f18.

[Colonel Sanders]

How you guys in the northwest can stand all that rain, I have no idea.

[iflyforpie]

Actually, growing up on Lulu Island withing spitting distance of YVR and seeing all of those jets heading up into the clouds, knowing they were going to burst into sunshine in the Flight Levels and head to sunnier destinations was one of the reasons why I wanted to be a pilot...

http://theoatmeal.com/blog/seattle_weather

[YYZSaabGuy]

How you guys in the northwest can stand all that rain, I have no idea.

My original thought as well. Then I glanced out my SW Ontario window at yet another in an endless series of grey, overcast days. Not so different.

[Indanao]

Richmond was our choice because it was cheapest - still is. Delta Airpark has cheap hangers. Not much work on the Island, depending on your field. $300 - $400 should get you a nice condo in Richmond a few years old. Stevenson is a bit of a drive.
It helps to speak Chinese here these days...lol.

[SeptRepair]

The rain? Dont have to shovel it.

[Rowdy]

Indanao.. 300-400k for what kind of townhome in richmond? A crack shack thats barely liveable or was built in 1952 maybe.. Anything reasonable is going to be +550k in Lichmond. Same is happening in white rock/south surrey. 3 bdrm condos are anywhere between 5 and 700k now. Its insanity! Cloverdale is tolerable (I grew up there) but the congestion is out and out brutal. Langley is worse yet. Go a ways out into the valley.. YCW (chilliwack/sardis) are redeveloping and are quite nice and its still inexpensive for the mainland.

As for the lifestyle.. Van Isle is HARD to beat. Good prices, great views, lots to do and you avoid all the BS and congestion of vancouver.

[Indanao]

Never said anything about Townhouse. Condominiums are going for that. We have been on Citation Drive for over 20years, 2Bdr, 860sq.FT bought for $118,000, now assessed at $174,000. Don't know where the Crack Houses are in Richmond. Not recommending the places on Citation - as they are too old. Speak of what you know.

[1000 HP]

Thanks for all the replies. At least for now, work is not an issue, as I work in Indonesia. I am lucky enough to have a month on month off rotation. Cheap hanger space is important as I would hate to park my bird outside. If anybody has a heavy sailboat in the $65,000 range, I'd be willing to trade for my Mooney (see "airplanes for sale") After pouring through the mls listings, and reading all your comments, it's safe to say Nanaimo will be it. We'll be out in December on some business and will be looking. For now, I'm stuck "rig pigging" in Indonesia.

If there are any small float charter operators out there that need a hand now and then, I have six months off per year and have Beaver, Otter, and Caravan time. But I'd be happy flying a Supercub.

Keep the comments coming. Very Educational.