kitimatfishing
Retire in Kitimat
The small towns and villages on coastal B.C. have always had grit and tenacity. They've grown from the rugged land, survive the powerful and majestic Pacific monsoons that blow in from the South almost every fall, and, because of it, share a little something of the unique character of the landscapes that define them.
The coastal lifestyle is all about rolling with the punches, and the town of Kitimat, B.C. – 206 kms from Prince Rupert - has become a pioneer in re-shaping and re-inventing itself to adjust to the temperamental economy. Retire in Kitimat Committee chair person, Margaret Sanou, says their landmark efforts to attract the retirement community to Kitimat was really about having a plan - being organized, and by taking something that those who live there have known for years, and sharing it with the rest of Canada.
“It's really about the convergence of an ageing demographic,” Sanou says. “A shifting economy and a need to sustain our local economy, provided the perfect storm to launch the Retire in Kitimat initiative.
“You have to strike when the iron is hot. Kitimat offers retirees a very affordable west-coast retirement life style, fantastic ocean fishing, golf almost all-year-round, marvellous boating on the Douglas Channel, hiking, canoeing, fresh-water fishing, and a pristine wilderness that offers unparalleled wilderness excursions and photography opportunities.” Margaret says she contacted the manager of Economic Promotion and Investor Services (ETIS), Diane Hewlitt, and before she knew it, had people phoning in to help.
“City Council thought it was a great idea and formed a task force to plan our approach: how and where to advertise to generate interest, we needed to develop a website, we designed and began distributing a brochure throughout B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. Before we know it was had many ambassadors pushing for this to happen.”
Margaret says it was all perfectly timed to take advantage of the ageing demographic and to provide solutions to people who lost much, if not all, of their retirement savings in the recent slump. “This is an affordable option,” Sanou says, “people can sell for 5 to 6 hundred thousand dollars and come here and spend 200,000 on a home.”
Seemingly missed by the housing bubble that rocked the rest of Canada, the cost of a home in Kitimat is considered affordable compared to most places in Canada. Sanou says that retirement dollars or money from existing real estate sold elsewhere can easily be stretched a lot further.
With affordable housing providing a huge draw, there are peripheral advantages that tend to seal the deal for many who are considering making the move. The town sports impressive modern health care facilities – a privilege not all small communities enjoy - an exceptional, newly renovated, indoor recreational facility, and an excellent seniors' centre with a wide variety of lifestyle programs in a safe, friendly community.
“Low municipal and water, and low sewage and garbage collection rates also contribute to the low cost of living,” Margaret says. “With our temperate, west coast climate, our winters are warmer than many inland areas, so heating costs are lower here as well. Add to that the low fees at our golf course and the generous discount afforded to seniors 60+ on our recreational programs, and the result is a very affordable retirement lifestyle. Kitimat retirees find money goes further and many are able to travel, buy a boat or realize other retirement dreams.”