Nelson The place to live and work New Nelson residents are attracted by lifestyle, natural beauty and family ties
A DREAM COME TRUE: Nearly all respondents of the 2006 New Resident Survey (96 per cent) stated that they had favourable expectations of Nelson which were satisfied after their arrival.
According to Nelson’s 2007 New Resident Survey, 241 households representing 533 individuals moved to Nelson and area in the year ending May 31, 2007—a figure that increased 28 per cent over last year, but decreased by eight per cent over a 12-year average. Nelson’s Welcome Wagon distributes the surveys, which are then gathered and analyzed by Community Futures of Central Kootenay.
British Columbia remains the largest source of new Nelson residents, attracting 45 per cent of the survey participants for 2007. However, this figure dropped significantly from its 10-year high of 71 per cent in 2001. The top B.C. sources for new Nelson residents this year were Vancouver (18 families), and Kelowna (10).
Nelson attracted the same percentage of Albertans as last year (45 new households, 19 per cent of new residents) with most families coming from Calgary (22 new families) and Edmonton (nine).
Other Canadian sources included Quebec (seven new households), Saskatchewan (six), and at least one each from the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Twelve percent of Nelson’s new residents came from outside the country—a number that has gradually increased over the past decade.
From the United States, Nelson drew in 10 families, compared to 12 in 2006 and 19 in 2005.
New residents relocated to Nelson from England, Scotland, Korea, New Zealand and Australia. And Nelson received its first-ever new residents from Guatemala, Libya and the Falkland Islands.
How did the new residents find out about Nelson? Most learned about the area through family and friends (116 or 48 per cent), and 67 families (28 per cent) had either vacationed here or drove through. This year saw a sharp increase in people returning here: 37 families said they had lived in Nelson before—a 33 per cent increase over previous years. The survey also reveals that 32 families moved to Nelson because they lived nearby. This is a trend that has gradually increased over the years. This year, 18 families moved to Nelson from other places in the West Kootenay.
What were the decisive factors that drew families, students and entrepreneurs to the Nelson community?
According to the 2007 New Resident Survey, 140 (57 per cent) of Nelson newcomers moved to the area for a lifestyle change, up from 40 per cent last year. Family ties showed a significant increase also: 56 new residents (23 per cent) moved here to be near family, up from 13 per cent last year. The scenery and weather accounted for 78 responses.
The number or people who moved here to retire or semi-retire doubled this year over 2006: 17 new residents (seven per cent of respondents), compared to nine last year, and up significantly from previous years when only about four in 100 were moving here to retire or semi-retire. And the entrepreneurial spirit is on the rise: 24 (10 per cent of respondents) moved here to start a business, more than double last year, and almost equalling the number that moved here to seek employment (27 respondents). As well, 59 respondents (24 per cent) moved here for a job opportunity or transfer.
Prior to moving to the central Kootenay area, more than half of Nelson’s new residents had seen promotional material. Of those, half indicated that they used the Internet to find out about Nelson—a trend that has grown rapidly over the past decade. Similar to last year, the second highest source for promotional material was cited as the movie "Roxanne" (22 per cent).
Nearly all respondents (96 per cent) stated that they had favourable expectations of Nelson which were satisfied after their arrival.
New Nelson residents who participated in the New Resident Survey also had the opportunity to give suggestions about how Nelson could be a better place to live and work.
The most common recommendations made by Nelson’s new residents were more affordable housing/rental costs (16 respondents), better recycling (15), changes in dog law (10), improvement of street signs and traffic lights (seven) and improved hospital service (seven).
When asked what retail or business services they would like to see in the Central Kootenay, top responses included Tim Hortons (eight), and TD Bank (six responses). Sixty-five respondents said they were satisfied with the businesses that exist here now, and eight said they appreciate the fact that the number of franchise businesses is small.
The New Resident Survey has been sponsored by Community Futures Central Kootenay and distributed by the Nelson and District Welcome Wagon Committee for more than 10 years. People who move into the Nelson area (which includes Proctor, Balfour, 10 miles south of Nelson, and South Slocan) each year are contacted. The results of these surveys are compiled yearly by Community Futures and circulated to other agencies and municipal and regional governments.
For more information contact Mike Stolte at the Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership (CIEL—www.theCIEL.com), who compiles and analyzes the surveys for Community Futures, at (250) 352-1933 (ext. 106) or e-mail mstolte@theCIEL.com.
Origin of new resident families
Number of families
Calgary, AB
22
Vancouver*
18
Kelowna
10
Edmonton, AB
9
Rossland/Trail
8
Cranbrook
7
Toronto, ON
7
Canmore, AB
6
Castlegar
5
Victoria
5
Creston
4
Vernon
4
Kamloops
4
Whitehorse, YT
4
Invermere
3
Winnipeg, MB
3
Ottawa, ON
3
Kitchener/Waterloo, ON
3
Burnaby
3
Regina, SK
3
*with other Lower Mainland communities added, Vancouver's total is 32 new resident families.
Interesting stats:
• There were more new resident families relocating from other central Kootenay and Kootenay Boundary communities (23) than there were from Calgary (22).
• 22 new households relocated from the Thompson Okanagan, the same number as from Calgary.
• 11 households relocated from the East Kootenay, nine from Vancouver Island, and three from the north.
Key Nelson contacts
Environmentally friendly living Biosustain Technologies is offering five-acre lots on new crown land in Nelson, Ymir and the West Kootenays as well as one-acre lots with waterfront living on the Columbia River; these developments feature engineered and sustainable building design with environmentally friendly land development. In addition to home design and building lots, Biosustain Technologies also offers construction services, topsoil, flagstone rock products and landscaping and property development.
Reaching MAX potential Roca Mines Inc. is focused on the outstanding mineral exploration and development potential located within British Columbia. Roca's primary asset is the MAX Molybdenum Project, located 60 kilometres southeast of Revelstoke, B.C. MAX is Canada's first new primary molybdenum mine in more than 30 years and B.C.'s first brand new metal mine in a decade. Regional economic benefits have already been realized, with community well-being and employee health as our primary goals Local environmental protection and community involvement are cornerstones to our success. Initial molybdenum concentrate production from the MAX Mine commenced in late 2007. Roca Mines Inc., and our wholly-owned subsidiary, FortyTwo Metals Inc., thank everyone who has taken part in building this exciting B.C.-based project.
Roca Mines Ltd 490 - 1122 Mainland St Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 684-2900
WEBSITE:
Merit Mining Corp 550-580 HORNBY ST Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 694-2344 WEBSITE: www.meritminingcorp.com
Home care providers since 1977 Looking for a rewarding career? Then look no further. BC Care Providers has created our Careers section just for people like you, people who are interested in a career within the Long Term Care and Home Support sectors. Visit our Current Vacancies section to see our listings which are catalogued according to provincial health region. As a group, the BC Care Providers Association provides effective leadership and valued resources that facilitates progressive changes, promoting the growth and success of its members who provide care services for seniors.
BC Care Providers Association 301 1338 West Broadway Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 736-4233
WEBSITE:
Live in Nature. Play in Nature. Kootenay Lake Village is a one-of-a-kind waterfront development being created on 450 acres of beautiful forestland with almost three kilometres of shoreline on the spectacular and expansive Kootenay Lake. One-hundred-year-old forests still cover much of this outstanding property, which receives long hours of sunshine. Experience the breathtaking views of the lake and alpine peaks of the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges year round. Adjoining Kootenay Lake Village are fifty kilometres of undeveloped, pristine waterfront real estate and an abundance of secluded beaches.
Kootenay Lake Development Corp. (kootenay Lake Village) Po Box 1053 Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 505-5558
WEBSITE:
Commitment and quality Congratulations to Merit Mining from Logistical Mill Installations Ltd. We are proud to have been the general contractor for the civil, structural, mechanical and electrical installations. Our project management experience with mill installations and expansions includes detailed engineering, fabrications and quality control. Safety is our number one priority and when you hire Logistical Mill Installations our management team is dedicated solely to your project. From start to finish, we provide commitment and quality.
Logistical Mill Installations Ltd. Rock Creek, BC PHONE: (250) 446-2985 WEBSITE:
Bc Forest Safety Council 200-1055 West Hastings St Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 632-0211 WEBSITE: www.bcforestsafe.org
Sitka Log Homes 5454 Tatton Rd 100 Mile House, BC PHONE: (250) 791-6683 WEBSITE: www.sitkaloghomes.com
We capture the moment Make your special moments last forever with Tait Photography. Specializing in weddings, portraits and boudoir photos, Tait Photography in Nelson is a modern documentary photo studio with a passion for artistic and creative images. From capturing the important details to the sweet moments, our photojournalistic approach means we are unobtrusive, documenting life and recording the special moments that could have gone unnoticed or been forgotten. Our fine art background means that we create cherished images and combine them with unique pages designed to form your favourite albums.
CXXR Corporation 807 Radio Ave Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 352-1196
WEBSITE:
Will-O-Bend Golf & RV Park Jaffray, BC PHONE: (250) 429-3377 WEBSITE:
Kootenay Direct Airlines Po Box 1137 Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 505-3552 WEBSITE: www.flykda.com
Maglio Building Centre Ltd 29 Government RD. Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 352-6661 WEBSITE: www.maglio.ca
Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd. (Vancouver) 500 2955 Virtual Way Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 669-3800 WEBSITE: www.klohn.com
Far from ordinary Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Wildstone community provides a sense of harmony between the wildness of nature and the comforts of a resort lifestyle like no other.
Situated just outside Cranbrook, B.C., the 900-acre Wildstone community will be more than 2,500 homes, comprised of a diverse variety of accommodation and living opportunities; from single-family homes, side-by-side villas, townhomes, multi-family homes, condominiums, and more. As well, the Gary Player Group has partnered with Wildstone to develop branded Player communities within the resort, including the future Gary Player Luxury Cabins and Gary Player Estate homes.
At the heart of the community, The Village at Wildstone will be culturally vibrant and exude a small-town charm; embracing all the opportunities of the region’s four-season climate. The Village will play host to a true pedestrian experience and, at build out, will include an inviting variety of cafés, patios, boutique shops, festivals, restaurants and galleries.
The Clubhouse at Wildstone will offer a full array of service amenities such as gourmet dining, shopping, spa and fitness facilities. In addition, plans are underway for the first Gary Player Golf Academy and Gary Player Wellness Centre outside of South Africa.
The region is undergoing a dramatic economic boom that has seen the growth of many new modern amenities; the Canadian Rockies International Airport, the College of the Rockies (with which Wildstone will host an exclusive strategic alliance), and state-of-the-art health care facilities are all within minutes of Wildstone.
Discover how to be a part of a spectacular Rocky Mountain story like no other. Visit www.DiscoverWildstone.com.
Havaday Developments 201 - 135 10th Ave S Cranbrook, BC PHONE: (250) 489-2888
WEBSITE:
Whisper Creek Log Homes 2248 Columbia Ave Castlegar, B.C. PHONE: (250) 365-3696 WEBSITE: www.wseng.ca
Prestige Hotels & Resorts Prestige Hotels and Resorts are elegant, full-service, 4-1/2 star Canada Select hotels and resorts located in Cranbrook, Golden, Nelson, Radium Hot Springs and Rossland. Our luxurious rooms feature kitchenettes and theme Jacuzzi suites. Each guestroom features deluxe furnishings, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hairdryer, makeup mirror, iron and board, voice mail, data port, wireless high-speed internet access and pay-per-view movies.
Whether you are a leisure or corporate traveller, tour operator or government client, Prestige Hotels & Resorts are the perfect places to stay! Inquire about our theme suites or our get-away and recreation packages. Our friendly staff is ready to welcome you and offer our rare brand of hospitality.
Prestige Hotels & Resorts 516 Lawrence Ave Kelowna, BC PHONE: Corporate Office : (250) 860-5858
WEBSITE:
The Mining Association Of British Columbia Suite 900 808 West Hastings St Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 681-4321 WEBSITE: www.mining.bc.ca
B&R Door 7880 Express St Burnaby, BC PHONE: (604) 420-7909 WEBSITE: www.brdoor.ca
