[twitchyzero]

I'm a new grad in the private sector of healthcare and have been only working p/t in the city

An opportunity has come up to move to rural BC. More specifically it's in NE BC by Ft. St John's/Chetwynd/Dawson Creek

I recall there being a few threads of those working in similar places in Alberta but they get killer salary, OT and travel allowance. Only difference is this isn't labour intensive job working outdoors and there's no OT. The thing is, the wage is actually the same as what I make now and there's no travel allowance but I get actual full-time hours.


I'm single in my early-mid 20's so I am not really tied down. In fact it's my first time moving out.

Things I would like to know:

Living expenses..what to expect in terms of cost of food/groceries compared to Vancouver?

I'll be needing a car...how would a small RWD like a Miata handle their snowy conditions with winter tires? I know 90% drives trucks/suv. Buy in Vancouver or buy up there? Local gas prices?

Different for everyone but how frequent do you end up coming back to Vancouver after you get settled in? Flights are pretty expensive. I can fly to Back East for less. I've looked at greyhound..18 hours :fuckthatshit:

How does the Northern residents deduction/taxable travel benefits work? I've looked and its descrption is quite broad
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t2222/t2222-11e.pdf

what are some activities to do during the winter? I know hunting and snowboarding and just general snow acitivities are big. Anything else? summer?

Most are there to work as well, mostly in mining/forestry. Is it easy to get along with people..or do most just work crazy hours..go home and rest.

I'm just looking for experiences of folks that have lived there or experienced living in rural North for work.

[StylinRed]

I'll be needing a car...how would a small RWD like a Miata handle their snowy conditions with winter tires? I know 90% drives trucks/suv. Buy in Vancouver or buy up there?


:fuckthatshit:


you'll get around faster with snow shoes and a walking stick

[vitaminG]

are you fucking kidding, a miata?

nearest mountain would be snow king, which is pretty far from ft st john like a good 4 hrs at least.

Buy in vancouver, theres way less selection up north, selection is lower, prices are higher and everything is rusted out and beat to hell after a few years.

[bcrdukes]

I've been to the places you listed for work so here's my first-hand experience.

1. Easy to get along with people. They're friendlier outside of Vancouver. Finding like-minded people will be difficult as you are going to have to adjust to their social and economic standards. They don't care about your Gucci, LV, and Prada man purse. People up north live humbler lives. Keep that sort of stuff in mind.

Most locals will put in their typical 9 - 5 and call it a day, go home to their families and enjoy their time together. Happy Hour with co-workers or hitting the gym with your boss is unheard of. No Yaletown Yuppies and go-getters up north unless they're from the city.

2. Bicycling, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, fishing and camping are popular activities. Generally, anything that involves the great outdoors.

3. Flights are without a doubt expensive. Depends how much you're willing to spend and how necessary you feel it is to come back to Vancouver. Tough call. Your mileage may vary.

4. Should be ok as long as you have a hard-top, none of this retarded Hellaflush nonsense, and you have snow tires. Don't plan on going far with it. Road conditions can be very bad. If you're planning to putt around from home, to work, and to the grocery store, it should be fine. Don't bother if you don't have a hard top. Buy your car there if you don't care about what you own/drive. Might cost a bit more and fewer selection.

Good luck.

[twitchyzero]

what's a reliable winter car that's fun...cheap...decent on gas?

[MoBettah]

There is almost no reason to go up if not for the money. If you're a professional (aka not ex con or druggie) and have post secondary, there's no reason to come up for less than 6 figures, and in some cases (Engineering, dentists, doctors...) there's no reason to go up for less than 200k/year as you could be making close to that in a major city like Calgary or Edmonton.

People aren't bad, just be careful as even in small towns there are safe places and dangerous places. Food is terrible, but Vancouver spoils you that way.

The summer's are quite nice, the country is pretty picturesque in the (short) summer. Golfing is cheap.

Flights are stupid expensive and AC will continue to gouge as it's mostly buisness passengers. Return can get up to 2K for round trip.

I hope this path and the experience you gain leads you to some great gig back in a southern town/city very soon.

[roastpuff]

what's a good winter car that's fun...cheap...decent on gas?

Suzuki SX4? Mod it rally-cross style.

[Great68]

One of my buddys lives out in Hudson's Hope, which is just about an hour north of Chetwynd. He works at the Hydro dam up there. He loves it, but then again he's been a Northerner for most of his life. I went up there a few summers ago, it's beautiful country.

You pretty much have to learn to love the outdoors to live out there, because that's all there is to do and to fully enjoy that you need a truck.

[MoBettah]

I've been to the places you listed for work so here's my first-hand experience.

1. Easy to get along with people. They're friendlier outside of Vancouver. Finding like-minded people will be difficult as you are going to have to adjust to their social and economic standards. They don't care about your Gucci, LV, and Prada man purse. People up north live humbler lives. Keep that sort of stuff in mind.

Most locals will put in their typical 9 - 5 and call it a day, go home to their families and enjoy their time together. Happy Hour with co-workers or hitting the gym with your boss is unheard of. No Yaletown Yuppies and go-getters up north unless they're from the city.

4. Should be ok as long as you have a hard-top, none of this retarded Hellaflush nonsense, and you have snow tires. Don't plan on going far with it. Road conditions can be very bad. If you're planning to putt around from home, to work, and to the grocery store, it should be fine. Don't bother if you don't have a hard top. Buy your car there.

Good luck.

I have to disagree with these points.

People are not humbler up here, they're just as shallow and just as stupid. It's same shit different pile. People make serious dough up here, and they care about their brands and toys, just not the same ones as in the city. Instead of M3s, it's F350s. Instead of having a penthouse in Yaletown, it's having an acreage on the lake. Instead of motorcycles, LV murses, and fancy clothes it's having a garage with 2 Quads, 2 Snowmobiles and a gun collection.


Also, DO NOT think about driving up here without an AWD or 4WD vehicle. You are seriously putting your life at risk. Especially if you have to move between cities like it sounds like you will have to.

[bcrdukes]

Fair enough. And I respect the insight and detail you shared.

I have never lived up north. I have only traveled there for work on a short-term basis and did so for 2 years. And you're right. It really is the same shit but a different pile.

[MindBomber]

what's a reliable winter car that's fun...cheap...decent on gas?

A good year-round vehicle in the North would be a Silverado, Sierra, Canyon, Colarado, F150, F250, F350, F100, Ram, Dakota, Tacoma, Tundra, T100....

A FWD car, no.
A RWD car, HELL no.
An AWD car, maybe, if you're able to make friends with a person who has a truck.

In the North, you don't hang out at bubble tea joints.

You ride horses, hunt, fish, trap, camp, ride quads and skidoos.

You won't have much luck pulling a horse trailer with a Impreza, and the ride-height will be a complication on logging roads traveling to hunting and fishing spots.

It's a different life.
A completely different life.
It's not a life the average Lower Mainland resident would enjoy.
If you've never hunted, fished, or enjoyed a rodeo, you're the average Lower Mainland resident.

You might enjoy living the Okanagan, but 99-1 odds, you'd hate the North.

If you're serious, invest in a flight and spend a day or two exploring Dawson Creek before making the move. You never know, you might like it. It's a big risk quitting your current job, and moving North not knowing though. I love it, personally. It's worth considering, I honestly get the feeling you wouldn't like it though.

I have to disagree with these points.

People are not humbler up here, they're just as shallow and just as stupid. It's same shit different pile. People make serious dough up here, and they care about their brands and toys, just not the same ones as in the city. Instead of M3s, it's F350s. Instead of having a penthouse in Yaletown, it's having an acreage on the lake. Instead of motorcycles, LV murses, and fancy clothes it's having a garage with 2 Quads, 2 Snowmobiles and a gun collection.


Also, DO NOT think about driving up here without an AWD or 4WD vehicle. You are seriously putting your life at risk. Especially if you have to move between cities like it sounds like you will have to.

Outside of the oil industry, people are humbler and less brand focused.

You give the impression of someone with very limited insight into a certain segment of the North, if you don't mind my honesty.

Between the North and Cariboo, I've spent years living in small town communities, and based on my experience, I disagree with what you've said.

[Jason00S2000]

You will meet so many fucking rednecks you won't even believe it.

[Lomac]

I have to disagree with these points.

People are not humbler up here, they're just as shallow and just as stupid. It's same shit different pile. People make serious dough up here, and they care about their brands and toys, just not the same ones as in the city. Instead of M3s, it's F350s. Instead of having a penthouse in Yaletown, it's having an acreage on the lake. Instead of motorcycles, LV murses, and fancy clothes it's having a garage with 2 Quads, 2 Snowmobiles and a gun collection.


Also, DO NOT think about driving up here without an AWD or 4WD vehicle. You are seriously putting your life at risk. Especially if you have to move between cities like it sounds like you will have to.

It ultimately depends where you end up. Sure, if you go into an oil town, then that's more or less correct. Lots of young people making shit loads of money, with nothing to spend it on but trucks and toys. Oh, and hookers and blow. And I'm being genuinely serious about that last one.

However, if you go into a town that's not near an oil field, then things do tend to get better. My friend lives in Salmon Arm and while it's not an fair comparison with some more northernly towns like FSJ and DC, there's certainly a more friendly atmosphere to the town. Whenever I'm up there, I can strike up a conversation with virtually anyone I come across (provided they're not from Kelowna :lol) and the both of us would actually enjoy the talk.

And as everyone else says, far up north you don't want a vehicle like a Miata for winter. A proper 4x4 truck or SUV will be your best bet, along with the best snow tires you can buy. The main roads will be plowed, regardless of where you live, but many side streets and the highways can go for hours without being touched. Winters down here are a mid summer day compared to what they get.

[Hondaracer]

Buy a sled and an ATV and you'll have plenty to occupy your time
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[T4RAWR]

my suggestion for a vehicle:

http://www.shrockworks.com/files/products/t_16169.jpg

studded nokian hakkapeliitta in the winter time

http://winter-tires.pmctire.com/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/N/o/Nokian-Nokian_HakkapeliittaLT2_5.jpg

and

good year kevlar MTR's in the summer.

http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/CanadianTire/0081283_1?wid=320&hei=320&qlt=70&resMode=sharp2

i've never lived up north but have travelled the area a bit. im not really sure it would be worth my while (personally) to head up there just for full time hours (at same pay)

[Lomac]

Buy a sled and an ATV and you'll have plenty to occupy your time
Posted via RS Mobile

Plenty of great places to go snowmobiling during the winter. Just find a patch of land that looks good and have at 'er!

[MoBettah]

Outside of the oil industry, people are humbler and less brand focused.

You give the impression of someone with very limited insight into a certain segment of the North, if you don't mind my honesty.

Between the North and Cariboo, I've spent years living in small town communities, and based on my experience, I disagree with what you've said.

It ultimately depends where you end up. Sure, if you go into an oil town, then that's more or less correct.

Dawson Creek and FSJ are oil and gas boom towns through and through. I thought that's what we were discussing here...

I'm sure there are a lot of Kumbaya small towns up North that aren't like Dawson and FSJ.

I'm not saying that people aren't nice, or you won't make friends, just that people in these 2 towns aren't humble and in a way it's their way of coping with the fact that they live in a shitty place. As in, sure this place sucks but look at all this great shit I have!

Speaking of all the great shit we have up here. Here's my trusty T4R that get's me through the winters up here!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/426669_10100208109468961_1452885258_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/395215_10100208109913071_1338727333_n.jpg

[Lomac]

Dawson Creek and FSJ are oil and gas boom towns through and through. I thought that's what we were discussing here...

I'm sure there are a lot of Kumbaya small towns with nice and humble people up North, but these aren't them.

He said near them, so it could be Chetwynd or Mackenzie or even Tumbler Ridge. Those three towns are close enough that they can be considered, but far enough away that most rig pigs wont bother living there.

[sonick]

I'd like to see the look on local's faces when you putt around town or pull up to a job site in a bright red Miata.

[T4RAWR]

I'd like to see the look on local's faces when you putt around town or pull up to a job site in a bright red Miata.

:lawl:

[drunkrussian]

why is the salary not higher? it's not just for forrestry where people are paid far far more to work up there - it's what draws people in. I personally wouldn't work there unless it was an experience or salary you absolutely cannot get here! young doctors i know go up there, whether for salary or just because it's so tough to get similar experience here and find a job here - is that your situation?

[MoBettah]

He said near them, so it could be Chetwynd or Mackenzie or even Tumbler Ridge. Those three towns are close enough that they can be considered, but far enough away that most rig pigs wont bother living there.


Wrong.

A sizeable contingent on all energy projects in the region come from those towns.

Care to share why you talk like you know about this area? Why are you quoting your experiences from Salmon Arm? That city is further south longitude wise than Calgary and there isn't any similar industry.

[Redlines_Daily]

I grew up in Mackenzie. Small town, not much to do..can't imagine living there as an adult if you don't love the outdoors. In the winter - snowmobile, skiing, watching mens league hockey, going to the bar(only one bar there). Summer - there is a lake for swimming, hiking, more outdoor stuff. They have a nice new gym though, so that's a plus. Lots of nice,down to earth people..might be good for a short term stay to get some perspective on how people live outside of the city

[MindBomber]

Dawson Creek and FSJ are oil and gas boom towns through and through. I thought that's what we were discussing here...

I'm sure there are a lot of Kumbaya small towns up North that aren't like Dawson and FSJ.

I'm not saying that people aren't nice, or you won't make friends, just that people in these 2 towns aren't humble and in a way it's their way of coping with the fact that they live in a shitty place. As in, sure this place sucks but look at all this great shit I have!

Speaking of all the great shit we have up here. Here's my trusty T4R that get's me through the winters up here!


I know a few people in Dawson, and I've spent a bit of time there.

They're not materialistic at all, they're old cattle ranching families not oil industry people though. They don't consider the place they live shitty, they love it, so they don't feel the need to cope.

What you've said does make a good point. If you don't like the small town hunting and fishing lifestyle, you better make a lot of money to compensate, because you'll be miserable and bored.

Buy a sled and an ATV and you'll have plenty to occupy your time
Posted via RS Mobile

100% agree.

Sled > Sport Bike. IMO.

[twitchyzero]

Flights are stupid expensive and AC will continue to gouge as it's mostly buisness passengers. Return can get up to 2K for round trip.

oh what when I looked a typical long weekend returns were $800...i thought that was already pretty pricey

A good year-round vehicle in the North would be a Silverado, Sierra, Canyon, Colarado, F150, F250, F350, F100, Ram, Dakota, Tacoma, Tundra, T100....

You ride horses, hunt, fish, trap, camp, ride quads and skidoos.

You won't have much luck pulling a horse trailer with a Impreza, and the ride-height will be a complication on logging roads traveling to hunting and fishing spots.

It's a different life.
A completely different life.
It's not a life the average Lower Mainland resident would enjoy.
If you've never hunted, fished, or enjoyed a rodeo, you're the average Lower Mainland resident.

You might enjoy living the Okanagan, but 99-1 odds, you'd hate the North.


those trucks all seem fun and good choices for the locale but how's the reliability/maintenance for those that aren't technically inclined?

I'm most definitely a city boy but honestly I would love to try embracing these outdoor activities


If you're a professional (aka not ex con or druggie) and have post secondary, there's no reason to come up for less than 6 figures, and in some cases (Engineering, dentists, doctors...) there's no reason to go up for less than 200k/year as you could be making close to that in a major city like Calgary or Edmonton.

why is the salary not higher? it's not just for forrestry where people are paid far far more to work up there - it's what draws people in. I personally wouldn't work there unless it was an experience or salary you absolutely cannot get here! young doctors i know go up there, whether for salary or just because it's so tough to get similar experience here and find a job here - is that your situation?

not quite... the profession I'm in, the wage is all pretty similar across the province...the salary is significantly better in Alberta whether it's Edmonton or the rural areas. Either way, I want to move out of Vancouver...even if wage is same I just don't get enough hours due to the market saturation.


Dawson Creek and FSJ are oil and gas boom towns through and through. I thought that's what we were discussing here...

I'm sure there are a lot of Kumbaya small towns up North that aren't like Dawson and FSJ.

I'm not saying that people aren't nice, or you won't make friends, just that people in these 2 towns aren't humble and in a way it's their way of coping with the fact that they live in a shitty place. As in, sure this place sucks but look at all this great shit I have!


If I do go, it would be working/living in Chetwynd..I mentioned the other places cause it's nearby and and has the airport/bigger stores

I just need to know if people are friendly enough that they are willing to assimilate city folks nice enough to show them the ways of outdoor activities. Last thing I need is hookers and blow.

How are food/groceries/gas compared to Van?

Edit: How does the Northern residents deduction/taxable travel benefits work? I've looked and its descrption is quite broad
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t2222/t2222-11e.pdf

[bcrdukes]

They have supermarkets like we do in Vancouver (i.e. Safeway, Save-On Foods etc.) Some towns even have a Walmart and chain restaurants like Boston Pizza etc.

If you're willing to give it a shot, go for it. You're young and you have nothing to lose.

[Lomac]

Wrong.

A sizeable contingent on all energy projects in the region come from those towns.

Care to share why you talk like you know about this area? Why are you quoting your experiences from Salmon Arm? That city is further south longitude wise than Calgary and there isn't any similar industry.

Just sharing my experience and observations from spending several months in that area. You're free to disagree with it and counter with your own. No skin off of my back.

The reason why I talked about Salmon Arm was to use it as an example of interior towns vs the lower mainland. And I recall explicitly stating in that example that it wasn't a direct parallel to places like Dawson Creek and FSJ.

[TOS'd]

If you're willing to give it a shot, go for it. You're young and you have nothing to lose.

:lawl:

[noclue]

I've had some experiences working in Northern BC.

- I hate to stereotype but after witnessing so many incidents, watch out for the natives. High crime rate in Northern BC.
- Northern BC is booming, tons of mines/oil/natural gas/forestry/construction projects going on.
- Can get as cold as -40C but its not bad because the air is dry there. Brings lots of moisturizers though.
- The closest city that has similar amenities to Vancouver is Prince George, 4hours away from Fort St. Johns. Costco, major hospital, famous players etc
- If you're a minority, there is 100% going to be some racist jokes so if you cant get along and get offended easily dont bother going.

[MindBomber]

those trucks all seem fun and good choices for the locale but how's the reliability/maintenance for those that aren't technically inclined?

I'm most definitely a city boy but honestly I would love to try embracing these outdoor activities

I just need to know if people are friendly enough that they are willing to assimilate city folks nice enough to show them the ways of outdoor activities. Last thing I need is hookers and blow.


Trucks are generally a little more reliable than cars, and the maintenance is less difficult, because everything isn't as tightly packed together. Not being experienced driving in those weather conditions, I would very strongly encourage you opt for a 4wd with good studded winters.

If you're a laid back guy, I'm sure you'll meet people willing to bring you into their circle. People rarely hunt, fish, camp alone, because its much safer in a group. I'm sure they'd be happy to let you join them, just show some appreciation by bring along a couple cases of beer to share. Fishing is more a drinking sport than anything else, quads and sleds aren't too difficult to learn after a couple times out, hunting you'd need to get a PAL and a bit of experienc shooting. There's a big rodeo every year in Dawson, iirc. People camp year round at every opportunity.

I wouldn't be intimated social aspects, because as long as you're into the outdoors small towns are pretty accepting. It's not like Vancouver, where people can afford the luxury of being unfriendly.
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[Hondaracer]

100% agree.

Sled > Sport Bike. IMO.

I had limited experiance riding a sport bike [25 minutes on an older R6] but i've ridden dirt bikes my whole life, there is nothing on this planet like a good sled :fullofwin:

[Great68]

those trucks all seem fun and good choices for the locale but how's the reliability/maintenance for those that aren't technically inclined?


One thing you have to remember is that up there, especially someplace like Chetwynd, services are pretty sparse. It's not like there's an abundance of mechanics or parts shops (I think they might have a napa) You'll want to have a vehicle which is common up there. The Mechanics up there probably know domestic trucks inside and out, Miatas, not so much.

[EuterVanWasser]

I agree with a lot of what Mindbomber has said; he knows what he's talking about. I relocated for work in my early 20s to the Kootenays for 5 years. Although not the far north, small town Kootenays living I think would have similarities so I'll share my experiences.

I bought a 4Runner, perfect vehicle for the majority of what you'll want to do up north. Do not cheap out on all seasons, you need proper winter tires and for gods sake, use engine compression to slow down, not your brakes. Drive in the middle of snow covered roads when you're checking out FSRs, etc, or driving to your buddies farm who lives 20 mins out of town - it's impossible to tell some times where the ditch is, and the graters some times clear over edge of the road.

Although I came back to Vancouver in my later 20s, looking back at the experience, I really enjoyed my time there. Here are some of my experiences that come to mind:
- canoeing or belly boating in creeks / rivers / lakes and fly fishing. Lots of fly fishing, lots of camping, lots of laying out in nature in the summer w/ no sounds other than nature. This is actually amazingly relaxing and something I relish to this day.
- I now have my RPAL, but had my FAC at the time so I did a fair amount of target shooting. Lots of fun, but can be an expensive hobby especially if you get higher cal firearms.
- I got to know a ton of people by playing in the softball league in town which was a blast. The games almost always spilled over in to the local pub, and I found I quickly integrated in with people this way. This also got me recruited to a men's rec hockey team in short order.
- Drinking beer. Lots of beer.
- Each little town has a summer party to celebrate the community. I think Mindbomber mentioned a rodeo? That's probably Dawson's community event. The neat thing is, all the communities try not to compete with each other, so the next weekend, there's probably a cool event at the next town over. These can be alot of fun to check out.
- People don't trust you at first, cuz you're "FROM THE CITY".. but once you make friends in town and prove yourself trustworthy, word spreads fast.
- Did I say word spreads fast in a small town? IT DOES. More on this later.

Too many years ago to relate to living expenses, but I think you'll find you spend less money. Bottom line is there's less frivolous stuff to spend your money on. Starbucks latte? Out of the question. Someone said earlier you won't be going to the gym in Yaletown with your boss after work.. that's priceless and bang on. Sidewalks roll up at 5pm, and people go hang out with their families and friends. Did I mention drink beer?

Looking back, I'd say the hardest thing for me was finding a GF. Not that many single girls around the small towns; they're claimed early, or typically bust outta town and head to the big cities as soon as they're able to. The single ones that are left were the ones that were too dumb to leave. Haha, I'm sorry I'm generalizing on this statement, but those were my feelings at the time and consequently I was single for the first 2 years. I basically kidnapped a hottie who moved back from Vancouver and forced her to live with me for 3 years lol.

Coming back to 'word spreads fast'. You are NOT ANONYMOUS in a small town like you are in the big city. If you are an asshat to people, you will see them at the grocery store.. at the gas station.. at the hair salon, etc. This goes too for the big ass logger who wants to break your face cuz you made out with his GF one weekend while he was out of town for example. Personally, I found this hard to adjust to. If you get pretty drunk in the bar one night, expect the next day at work that people will know. Your clients / patients, etc, will know.

Anyway, good luck... I've rambled on long enough.

[jasonturbo]

You will meet so many fucking rednecks you won't even believe it.

QFT!

Though I do find the rednecks quite charming..., you will also meet a lot of dirty small-town girls with daddy issues :D

[Soundy]

Eutter and MB have pretty much covered it all for you. I grew up in a rural part of Surrey until I was 10, when we moved to a cabin on a lake outside of 100 Mile House: no power, no phone, all wood heat, and carrying water up from the lake by hand is quite the culture shock for a kid, but in the long run, I think I'm the better for growing up that way. I don't dislike living in the city (or the burbs) but I'd love to live up there again - visits are always too short and too far between.

There've been a couple posts here that "it's a very different life" as if that's supposed to scare you off the move, but really... a lot of people PREFER that life, and you might find out you like it too - dukes has a good point, you're young and whether you fall in love with the fresh air or not, it'll be a great experience.

Aside from the fresh air, the one difference *I've* really noticed is the more relaxed pace of life up there. One summer when we were up with a bunch of friends and their kids, I went to the little store in town for supplies and the kids wanted chocolate milk... well, the store was still waiting for the delivery truck, so I went on up the road to the next store, where the truck was to make its previous stop... he still hadn't been there, so I continued up the road to his NEXT previous stop... only to find he'd already been there, but only partially unloaded, had gone on to the stores I'd already be to, and would be back "in an hour or so" with the dairy... so at that point, I decided to just kick back and wait. It ended up being nearly two hours before I got the chocolate milk... and I realized that between browsing magazines and touristy stuff, chatting with the staff and customers, and just watching the clouds drift by, the time had flown past. Then I realized that if the same thing had happened to me in the city (something forcing me to wait around like that), I'd have been losing my mind within 20 minutes. The whole energy, the vibe, of life in general is SO much more laid back.

[vafanculo]

I'd like to see the look on local's faces when you putt around town or pull up to a job site in a bright red Miata.

http://img.aktualne.centrum.cz/308/59/3085997-macgruber.jpg

[EmperorIS]

Subaru.

[oldsnail]

grocery proces in FSJ is not so inflated when i went there.
they still have PRICEMART which shares same price as GVR.

[JordanLee]

Most likely heading up north this summer for forestry co-op so all this advice sure is helpful.

[T4RAWR]

best advice in this thread.


buy a 4x4 :fullofwin:









































and some guns.... :pokerface:

[Soundy]

My cars learning to drive up there were a '68 Galaxie, an '80 GLC, Dad's '81 Dodge pickup, and a couple of different Dodge vans Dad went through... oh, and sometimes Grandpa's '80-something Aspen. Never had a 4WD when we lived there, and somehow got by (actually, for a while we did have my uncle's CJ-5, but it had been built up for mud racing and was absolute shyte in the snow).

Most important thing is PROPER TIRES... and don't drive like a fucktard.

[twitchyzero]

Most likely heading up north this summer for forestry co-op so all this advice sure is helpful.

red miata at job Site RS meat?
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[Meowjin]

Just sharing my experience and observations from spending several months in that area. You're free to disagree with it and counter with your own. No skin off of my back.

The reason why I talked about Salmon Arm was to use it as an example of interior towns vs the lower mainland. And I recall explicitly stating in that example that it wasn't a direct parallel to places like Dawson Creek and FSJ.

Salmon arm is full of rich albertans from calgary and edmonton with boats and cabins lol.

[skiiipi]

Salmon arm is full of rich albertans from calgary and edmonton with boats and cabins lol.

Only in the summer
Winter is pretty quiet/boring in Salmon Arm

I can't comment since I've never lived/worked up north
But I did just recently move to the interior
While the lifestyle is relaxing
Some part of it I cannot get used to (would be even worse up north)
Like the lack of good chinese/ethnic food
Lack of late night resturants
Lack of things to do at night besides bars
Lack of asian people

But lots of positives too
Very relaxing outdoor oriented lifestyle
No traffic jams
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[Soundy]

Lack of asian people
You say that like it's a bad thing...


























:troll:

[Hondaracer]

Salmon arm is full of rich albertans from calgary and edmonton with boats and cabins lol.

Inveremere is more of their hot spot, population quadruples there in the summer, salmon arm is too far from Calgary, 8+ on a good day
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