THE SUNSHINE COAST

The Sunshine Coast is a small and extremely beautiful area of land in southern British Columbia on the West Coast of the province.  It’s just a short drive from Vancouver and has become one of the most popular destinations to travel and move to in Western Canada.

The Sunshine Coast spans about sixty miles of British Columbia’s coastline on Canada’s west coast.  There are many small communities located in this sixty mile stretch and each one has its own personality.  The area used to be the home of the Sliammon First Nation.  It was the Sliammon First Nation’s home for thousands of years before the area was settled by the Europeans.  Historians think that somewhere around twenty thousand people lived in the Sunshine Coast region, the Powell River portion in particular.  Now the Sunshine Coast is a popular spot for tourists and vacationers. 

The Sunshine Coast first started becoming popular when Finnish settlers started to call the area home near the turn of the twentieth century.  Most of them came from Malcom Island and then were joined by family and friends from the “home country.”  These early settlers went to work on the land and developed lush fruit crops and began a jam making industry that flourished in the years that would follow, particularly the years following the War.  These early settlers brought in a post office and a general store and soon a community hall was built.  The area of the first settlement is called Gibsons and is named after the family that first settled there.  Gibsons is now known as the “gateway to the Sunshine coast.”

Sunshine Coast got its nickname because of the year round mild weather.  The area gets the most hours of sunshine in the province and that has helped it to become the popular relocation and vacation destination that it is today.  Stand back, Southern California! You’ve got competition!

The lower half of the Sunshine Coast is home of these regions:  Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechell, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbor, Egmont, Earl Cove and Nelson Island. 

The upper half of the Sunshine Coast has the following regions of Saltery Bay, Westview, Powell River, Historic Powell River Townsite, Wildwood, Cranberry, Sliammon, Lund, Texada Island and Savary Island.

Powell River is currently a major spot of relocation for people who are looking to get away from the usual urban life that comes from living in cities.  People who want a simpler more laid back life gravitate to the Sunshine Coast, the Powell River portion in particular.

POWELL RIVER HISTORY

Powell River itself was founded by Doctor Israel Powell in 1881.  Doctor Powell was the superintendent for Indian Affairs for the British Columbian province of Canada at the time and named the region after himself.  Powell River, as it turned out, was the second shortest river in the world. 

What started as a logging community is now a major spot for tourism, the Powell River area promises visitors and locals alike a great time in the outdoors.  The area boasts great fishing, hiking, and biking areas as well as Powell Lake where visitors can spot Ospreys and Eagles and take part in a great variety of water sports.  There is also shopping and lodging for visitors looking to make the Powell River region their choice of vacation spots. 

SUNSHINE COAST REAL ESTATE

The Sunshine coast offers any sort of home you might be interested in occupying.  They have coastal real estate.  They have lots that haven’t been developed yet and homes on the waterfront. They have rural homes and private island homes.  They also have suburban life for those interested in living closer in to the community.

There are a great deal of Realtors in the area but the best company for the job is RE/MAX.  Unlike other companies the agents of RE/MAX are more interested in finding you a new home than increasing their commission (it’s all in how the company is run) so you know they’ll have your best interests at heart.  There are several RE/MAX agents in the Powell River area alone and any one of them can help you find exactly the property and house to call home. 

One of the reasons the Sunshine Coast is so popular is that instead of being one large town driven by tourism, the area is made up of a bunch of small communities.  Each of those small communities has its own personality and style and those styles blend to make the Sunshine Coast the perfect destination.