Thinking of Moving to BC? Which City Matches Your Personality?

Marci • May 12, 2015

Have you made the life-altering decision to move to British Columbia?

Are you considering relocating to Vancouver and becoming part of the great expat community ? The Northwest will not let you down. It really has something to offer everyone, set against a constant backdrop of natural beauty.

Which British Columbian city is the one for you? Here we match up personality types with cities! Enjoy!

The Athlete

Do you enjoy riding the natural endorphin high? For a sports enthusiast, the Whistler area is your best match. This Olympic co-host provides state-of-the-art skiing and snowboarding opportunities with over 200 marked trails leading you down the mountain. Blackcomb Peak, another top-notch skiing mountain, can also be found in the area.
Don’t feel the need to be at the top of the mountain at 9:00? Sleep in and take a relaxed snowshoe stroll or cozy up to the family in a horse-drawn carriage. Thus, Whistler fulfills the needs for snow athletes and their families!

The Outdoorsy Type

Surf’s up, dudes. Head to the western side of Vancouver Island if you need some time with the waves. Tofino is quite the place, it even has a taco shack. This is also an ideal area for kayakers, hikers, and cyclists alike. For energetic nature lovers, this is a must-experience or even a must-live in region.

The Golfer/ Wannabe Painter

If laidback sports are your thing, Kamloops offers great golfing prospects. Golf courses abound. There are also many opportunities to hike, mountain bike and camp if you’re up for a more challenging pastime. Furthermore, if you do decide to take on some water sports, lakes and rivers provide excellent opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and rafting.
Kamloops also hosts many music and theatre festivals, to satisfy its large arts community.

The Student

In Victoria and Kelowna, a significant part of the population consists of students. If you are hitting the books, you’ll feel at home, and you’ll be able to find others who feel your pain when it comes to exam time. For those considering Victoria, you will enjoy the aesthetic perks of living in a historic waterfront capital with artsy areas, cosmopolitan architecture, and plenty of shopping opportunities. Those calling Kelowna home, however, may just become wine experts, being surrounded by wineries.

The Explorer of Cultures

If you dig the multicultural vibe, try Richmond, with 60% of its population being of Asian descent. Shopping and dining in the Golden Village provide some of the most authentic experiences that you will come across outside of Asia. This city is only 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver and has further international connections through Vancouver International Airport, located in Richmond.

The Tranquility-Seeker

Craving a quaint living environment with the perks of a large city? Steveston is the place for you. This seaside fishing village provides a peaceful atmosphere, historic buildings, and all the fresh seafood dining you could ever dream of.

The Beach Babe

The 180-km long Sunshine Coast provides an island-like atmosphere. With the scenery combining forests with beaches, and mountains with ocean, you could not ask more of nature. Bohemian culture is prevalent along the coast and options for outdoor activities are limitless. If you’re up for some adventure, paddle out to one of the nearby islands.

The Big Guns

As a city of over 603,000 people, living among natural beauty, Vancouver has a lot to offer. Vancouverites have the luxury of hitting the slopes in the morning and warming up on the beach in the afternoon. The environment offers many routes of escape from life, such as skiing and whale watching.

Vancouver rivals its fellow Canadian cities, Montreal and Toronto, for the honorary title of Canada’s culinary capital. It has the biggest Asian dining scene and an amazing variety of fresh seafood, including wild salmon and spot prawns.

Multiculturalism is a way of life in Vancouver. Presently, almost half of the population is bilingual. Neighborhoods at the height of the multicultural scene include Chinatown, Punjabi Market, and Little Italy. Few major cities can compete with the quality of life in Vancouver. Ranked fifth in the 2012 Mercer Quality of Living Survey, the city comfortably remained in the top ten for more than a decade. However, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Cost of Living Survey 2013, Vancouver was ranked 21st on an international scale and was named the most expensive city in North America to live in. Thus, the career type may suit this city best.

With so many possibilities and places to live, it will not take long to adapt to the Canadian way of life.

This was previously published on the site Oct. 7th 2014, but it was too good to stay buried in the archives, so we brought it out to play! Also, this post was originally sourced here  with some of our own additions!

Share

What You Need to Know From the CMHC 2025 Housing Market Outlook

By Marci Deane • June 26, 2025
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has just dropped their highly anticipated 2025 Housing Market Outlook, and if you’re a homeowner, future buyer, or just like to keep your finger on the real estate pulse, there’s a lot to unpack. Here’s the short version: The Big Picture (Canada-Wide) Mortgage rates are expected to decline in 2025, giving some long-awaited relief to buyers. Home sales and prices are heading back up, though we’re not expecting the wild ride of 2021. Rental markets are softening slightly with more supply coming online. Condo construction is slowing, while purpose-built rental and ground-oriented housing hold strong. CMHC is cautiously optimistic, but they’re also tracking risks like U.S. trade tensions and lower immigration. What About British Columbia? If you’re in BC, especially Greater Vancouver or Vancouver Island, here’s what matters most: Prices are forecast to hit new highs by the end of 2025. Sales are rebounding, thanks to lower mortgage rates and some recent financing policy changes. Tighter inventory will drive demand in townhomes and entry-level properties. Rental markets are finally seeing some relief, with rising vacancy rates and record rental construction underway. Why It Matters This isn’t just “market noise.” For buyers, sellers, renters and industry pros, these trends point to a more balanced housing environment in the next 12–18 months. That means better planning opportunities, less panic-buying, and a slightly calmer market for everyone involved. If you’re making moves in the real estate world, or just want to understand what the data says about where we’re headed, this report is worth a closer look. ➡ Download the full 3-page PDF summary here . Need help making sense of how this impacts your mortgage, buying power, or investment strategy?  Ask Marci About Mortgages. I’m always happy to walk you through it.

Older Canadians Have Mortgage Options

By Marci Deane • June 25, 2025
Although it’s ideal to have your mortgage paid off by the time you retire, that isn’t always possible in today’s economy. The cost of living is considerably higher than it has ever been, and as a result, many Canadians are putting off retirement, hoping to make just a bit more money to add to that nest egg. So if you find yourself in the position where you’re considering your mortgage options into retirement, you’ve come to the right place. The advantage of working with an independent mortgage professional instead of a single bank is choice. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, you won’t be limited to an individual institution’s products; rather, you will have access to considerably more options. Here are some options available to older Canadians as they plan for mortgage financing through their retirement. Standard Mortgage Financing If you’ve got a steady income, decent credit, and equity in your home, there is no reason you shouldn’t qualify for standard mortgage financing, which usually comes at the lowest interest rates and best terms. Some lenders use pension and retirement income to support your mortgage application even if you’ve already retired. Reverse Mortgage Financing A reverse mortgage allows Canadian homeowners 55 years and older to borrow money from their homes with no proof of income, no credit check, and no health questions. A reverse mortgage is a fabulous mortgage solution that has helped thousands of older Canadians enhance their lifestyle. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) A line of credit secured to the equity you have in your home is an excellent tool to allow you to access money when you need it but not pay interest if you don’t need it. Many older Canadians like the idea of rolling all their expenses and income into one account. Private Financing If you happen to be in a bit of a tight spot, you have a plan but need a financial solution; private financing might be the answer. Indeed not the first choice for many because of the higher interest rates. However, private financing can provide you with options where a traditional bank can’t. If you have any questions about securing mortgage financing for your retirement, please connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to work with you and walk you through all your options.

First-Time Homebuyer? A New GST Rebate Could Put Thousands Back in Your Pocket

By Marci Deane • June 20, 2025
If you’re a first-time homebuyer eyeing a new build or major renovation, there's encouraging news that could make homeownership significantly more affordable. The federal government has proposed a new GST rebate aimed at easing the financial burden for Canadians entering the housing market. While still awaiting parliamentary approval, the proposed legislation offers the potential for thousands in savings —and could be a game-changer for buyers trying to break into today’s high-cost housing landscape. What’s Being Proposed? Under the new legislation, eligible first-time homebuyers would receive: A full GST rebate on homes priced up to $1 million A partial GST rebate on homes between $1 million and $1.5 million This could mean up to $50,000 in tax savings on a qualifying home—a major boost for anyone working hard to save for a down payment or meet mortgage qualification requirements. Why This Matters With interest rates still elevated and home prices holding steady in many regions, affordability remains a challenge. This rebate could offer meaningful relief in several ways: Lower Upfront Costs: Removing GST from the purchase price reduces the total amount of money buyers need to save before closing. Smaller Monthly Payments: A lower purchase price leads to a smaller mortgage, which translates to more manageable monthly payments. Improved Mortgage Qualification: With a reduced purchase amount, buyers may find it easier to meet lender criteria. According to recent estimates, a homebuyer purchasing a $1 million new home could see monthly mortgage payments drop by around $240 —money that could go toward savings, home improvements, or simply everyday expenses. Helping Families Help Each Other This proposal also offers a win for parents who are supporting their children in buying a first home. Whether through gifted down payments or co-signing, a lower purchase price and more affordable monthly costs mean that family support can go further—and set first-time buyers up for long-term success. Is This the Right Time to Buy? If you’re thinking about buying a new or substantially renovated home, this proposed rebate could dramatically improve your financial position. Now is the perfect time to explore your options and make sure your mortgage strategy is aligned with potential policy changes. 📞 Let’s connect for a free mortgage review or pre-approval. Whether you’re buying your first home or helping someone else take that first step, I’m here to help you make informed, confident decisions.