Dispatches

Dispatches By Right Sizing Staff

Some B.C. communities may not seem that worthy of exploring, as you fly by on the highway: gas stations, big-box stores and fast food only hold so much charm. But many smaller centres have great little downtown cores, when you take the time to get off the beaten asphalt path. Great shopping at independent boutiques, locally owned cafés and brew pubs are just some of the charms in Island communities we love, like Langford, Duncan, Ladysmith, Qualicum and Comox. In B.C.’s Interior, we think fondly of stops in downtown Princeton, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Invermere, Cranbrook and Summerland.

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2021 assessed value of a single-family home in Langford: $674,000 (+8%).

Whether it’s the global pandemic, modern technology or a synergy of factors, off-grid living in relatively remote areas of B.C. (such as the Interior or on private coastal islands) has never been more feasible. With amenities driven by propane or gas generators and solar or wind power, and accoutrements from self-composting toilets to tankless water heaters, you may never have to pay an energy bill again. Bonus: off-grid properties often sell for much-lower prices than serviced properties. Resources like the Facebook group BC Off-Grid Living can provide inspiration and a community.

Main Street, Summerland. Photo: Summerland Chamber of Commerce

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2021 assessed value of a singlefamily home in Zeballos, at the mouth of Nootka Sound: $69,000 (+28%).

The most famous export from Ladysmith, B.C., is returning home— and Pamela Anderson’s homecoming will be televised. In 2022, Pamela Anderson’s Home Reno Project will debut on HGTV Canada, chronicling her dream of transforming her late grandmother’s several-acre property on Ladysmith’s shores (which she purchased, and promised to keep in the family) into a modern homestead. Anderson’s husband and former bodyguard, Dan Hayhurst, is a handyman and carpenter who also has Ladysmith roots.

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2021 assessed value of a single-family home in Ladysmith: $576,000 (+7%).

Watch a TV homecoming for celebrity Pamela Anderson.

Water-only-access build site on Gambier Island, Howe Sound. Photo: Steve Dietrich

Thank Elon Musk for more than occasional Bitcoin and Tesla market surges: the space-minded entrepreneur is bringing satellite internet to market with his massive Starlink network of satellites. It’s already a game-changer in some of Canada’s northern and other remote communities, since only around 40 per cent of them have broadband internet, according to federal stats. Providers like Skynet Telecom are already operating here, with Beta customers in B.C. reporting stellar results. skynettelecom.ca, starlink.com

With much of the readily accessible waterfront property in B.C. being bought up at any and every price point, consider the last frontier: properties with water-access-only. When you’re saving as much as a few hundred thousand dollars on a property, the cost of owning and operating a boat becomes as logical as a comfortable ride for a daily urban commute. For water-access homeowners, “getting there” is already part of the weekend or vacation, which starts when you hit the water. While building becomes a bit more challenging, many packaged-home companies and builders are well schooled in helping with materials, transport and logistics.

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2021 assessed value of a single-family home in the Gulf Islands: $585,000 (+7%).

Though the Oscar-winning film Nomadland isn’t totally a feel-good movie, it’s drawn attention to #vanlife and recreationalvehicle mobile lifestyles that many rightsized citizens, on both sides of the border, have been enjoying for years. The pandemic has fuelled the trend, with many news outlets reporting that van-conversion operations and RV sales have boomed. The allure of selfcontained, pared-down living has never been stronger. At the same time, some smaller cities are struggling with vehicles parking in residential and public areas: always check local bylaws and regional regulations before parking for the night or the season.

With more than 20,000 lakes, B.C. offers almost unlimited options for waterfront living. Here are some of our top picks (not ranked, but listed alphabetically): Christina Lake, Lake Cowichan, Cultus Lake, Kalamalka Lake, Kootenay Lake, Okanagan Lake, Osoyoos Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Skaha Lake, Shuswap Lake, Sproat Lake, Windermere Lake and Wood Lake.

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2021 assessed value of a single-family home in the town of Lake Cowichan: $368,000 (+8%).

Kayaking in Pitt Lake, Pitt Meadows. Photo: Tatum Bergen/Unsplash

With so many green-building technologies and standards, it can be hard to get past the buzzwords and know what you’re investing in, or buying into. Here is a quick glossary of terms and references to help you tell green from greenwashing.

Net Zero Energy (or Zero Net Energy, ZNE): A term used for a building certified (the Canadian Home Builders’ Association is one such standard) to generate as much renewable energy on site each year as it consumes. As a result, Net Zero buildings contribute less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than similar conventional buildings. chba.ca Passive building: A Passive building (or “Passivhaus” in the original German) is certified to be extremely energy efficient and consume an ultra-low amount of energy for heating or cooling (up to 90 per cent less than conventional buildings). Passive House Canada is the keeper of our country’s standard. passivehousecanada.com

BC Energy Step Code: An optional path, within the BC Building Code, that local governments can use to incentivize or require extra energy-efficient building, in advance of all new buildings required to be certified net-zero energy by 2032. energystepcode.ca

Energy Star: This government-backed program certifies new homes and a wide range of consumer products (from washers and dryers to windows and doors) that meet its standards of energy efficiency. The program offers rebates and incentives for purchasing some certified products. nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-star-canada/18953

LEED: The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard is the most widely used green-building rating system in the world. The Canadian Green Building Council administers the Canadian system, which can result in new home builders getting rebates on local utilities plus homeowner discounts on insurance. cagbc.org

Northwest BC is where nature follows you home. From its vast mountain ranges, coastal temperate rainforests and abundant rivers, to its vibrant culture, recreation and closeknit communities, the Northwest has something for everyone. Endless opportunity awaits; come live life to its fullest.