COMOX VALLEY AREA FEATURE

Comox Valley: Where you'll love your lifestyle

By Sheryl Gray February 21, 2018

There’s so much to love about living in the Comox Valley: endless outdoor activities, wine tours, world-renowned diving, and live music festivals. So much love, in fact, that one of the area’s larger communities, Courtenay, recently received the honour of being named the fourth romantic city in Canada by the online shopping giant, Amazon. If you’re craving year-round warmth felt through a welcoming (and romantic) community, the Comox Valley might be just what you’re seeking!

Located up island, north of Parksville and south of Campbell River, the Comox Valley is comprised of several communities, including Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland, as well as Denman and Hornby Islands. The larger area looks to the Strait of Georgia to the east, and Strathcona Provincial Park to the west. Reached by vehicle via Highways 19 and 19A from Nanaimo, the area is also easily accessible by airplane, float plane and ferry.

Nicole Allen and Shea Wilson are Realtors with RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty in the Comox Valley, and their clients represent a wide range of demographics and personal interests and lifestyles. The market has remained more affordable compared to Vancouver Island cities to the south, and even more so compared to the Lower Mainland housing market.

“The Comox Valley holds such a wide appeal for so many different types of people. The outdoor lifestyle here is fabulous with endless trails for hiking, walking and biking, not to mention the winter sports,” says Wilson. “If you're into the arts, there is no shortage of artisans and events to participate in. The community here is so welcoming, it’s easy to meet new people and everyone is quick to say hello.”

Mount Washington is the go-to ski destination and provides the slopes for the annual WinterFest. This event shows the diversity of interests within the community: the event’s après ski schedule might be even more robust than the action on the hills. From ice sculptures to wine tasting to live music venues and even a barn dance, the festival provides a taste of all the best things about the Comox Valley.

“Comox Valley really is the best place to live – when we say there’s something for everyone, in this case, there really is! If you’re looking for the inside scoop on where to go, Courtenay’s new Italian restaurant, El Falcone is excellent. If sushi is more your thing, you must try Sehmi on Cliffe Ave,” says Allen. “And if your pet needs a treat, try the grooming at Hair of the Dog! They treat the dogs there like kings and queens.”

The Comox Valley is a peaceful distance from more highly travelled southern regions of Vancouver Island, yet hardly remote. Recent construction projects have provided an economic boost to their area, along with related employment. The farming industry is thriving, with more than 50 farms and producers in the area, who sell locally as well as export their products from wasabi to bison to artisan cheeses.

Realtor Jane Denham, Personal Real Estate Corporation, RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty is another passionate voice for the Comox Valley lifestyle. Enthusiastic and professional, Jane’s passion for Real Estate in the Comox Valley is obvious. Successfully selling this four-season destination resort and retirement community since 2007, Jane has earned a position as one of the top Realtors, achieving RE/MAX’s Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement, Titan and Chairman Awards. Specializing in luxury residential properties. She is known for her professional expertise, sophisticated resources and dedicated customer service. Previous careers in design, marketing and sales benefit her clients, from global marketing and investment strategies to negotiating and redesign.  Jane sees great diversity in area homebuyers, from first time buyers to luxurious retirement dreamers. In contrast to many other communities on the Island, Comox Valley provides a true four-season lifestyle, and Denman specializes in maximizing these opportunities through luxury residential properties including fairway and waterfront locations, acreage, condominiums and slope side mountain retreats.

Check out Comox Valley for your own lifestyle property – artist, farmer or snowboarder; first home, estate property, or waterfront retirement – there really is something here for you.