Quick stats …
- 66,527
- 3.5 hours from Vancouver
- %
Courtenay and Comox are the mid-Island’s twin cities; Comox’s identity is tied to the Canadian Forces Base and Courtenay has been a highly-desirable destination since WestJet started flying here from Alberta in the mid-1990s. With some of the Island’s most affordable real estate, fast-growing Cumberland has become popular with young entrepreneurs and the budget minded – this is one town where craft beer and mountain biking rule. Less-expensive housing is also an option farther north in Campbell River, the Salmon Fishing Capital of the World.
Work: With over a thousand officers and enlisted men and 300 civilian support staff, CFB Comox is the region’s major employer. Tourism is a growth industry with Comox being ideally situated to act as a base for the enjoyment of the wonderful outdoor resources available in the area.
Play: From the flat-topped Comox Glacier near Mount Washington to the sandy beaches and salmon-rich rivers at sea level, the outdoor recreation offered within an hour’s drive boggles the mind. Some of B.C.’s finest single malt whiskey comes from a farm on the Oyster River, where Shelter Point Distillery is located. Take a free tour (Wednesday to Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.) or sip at the tasting bar.
Culture: The Vancouver Island Music Festival draws folk and blues music lovers from all over North America each July. The ninth annual Comox Valley Farm Cycle rolls around in September: more than 400 cyclists visited 29 farms last year.
Municipalities & Districts:
Comox – comox.ca
Comox Valley Regional District – comoxvalleyrd.ca
Courtenay – courtenay.ca
Cumberland – cumberland.ca
Real Estate:
Comox Listings
Courtenay Listings
Cumberland Listings
Developments:
Crowne Isle – crownisle.com
The Beach House at Saratoga – saratogabeachhouse.ca
Builders:
Discovery Dream Homes – discoverydreamhomes.com
Pan-abode – panabode.com
Note: Population is listed by either municipality or region. Sample listing represents a home near the median average selling price in 2017. Real estate trend metric uses B.C. Assessment data for value and includes sales of all property types.