looking for love across the country -
found it within me
Why I Moved to Vancouver Island
Love.
Love is the reason why I decided to move from my life in Sudbury Ontario to Vancouver Island. My life was starting to soar again. After a divorce, I was starting to get back on my feet again. Living alone was wonderful. My public relations business was thriving and I was..happy. But I had that feeling again, I felt I needed a change. I needed something more than the life I was living.
Within the first visit to Vancouver Island at the time I moved, it was 6 months. It didn’t take much convincing to pack everything I owned in my car and make the drive across the country.
It was quite a shift going from business owner back to employee – but it was the change I needed. I moved for love, but what I didn’t know at the time, it would be the love for myself that I would find. I followed my heart and it led me to the peaceful place I had been searching for.
When I first landed at the Comox Airport, I felt like I had a warm welcome. Everything was different, the air, the way you feel and your perspective on what you want in life. I was so used to city life, hustling and filling every moment with work and too busy to..to live.
I lived in Gold River for a year before moving to Strathcona Park Lodge, where I was working. This cut my commute time and living on the lake wasn’t too bad either. No cell service, and questionable WIFI service, it was perfect. Everything around me was peaceful, calm and beautiful.
Unfortunately (but also fortunately), the pandemic was just starting and I had lost my job. And I eventually made the decision to leave the lodge and move to Port Alberni to be with someone I had begun dating (and who would later become my husband). Port Alberni was (and still is) one of my most favourite places I have lived. Even though it was short, it was perfect. There are so many trail systems nearby, lakes and beautiful waterfront.
I now call the Comox Valley home (specifically in Merville), and I feel like my heart finally made it home. The love I found within myself and throughout my journey has led me to living a life I know was meant for me. Our dogs have acreage to run around, we have a beautiful garden, a chicken coop, there are beautiful trails nearby, the ocean is within minutes and I can be in the next larger city within 15 minutes. I’ve tasted some of the best food, beers, and experienced some of the best salmon (I even caught one once!) and I feel grateful to be here. I feel grateful for the choices I made, for trusting myself along this winding journey and want to continue to explore the Island.
If you feel strongly, deep down in your heart to move somewhere on Vancouver Island. I would not ignore it, perhaps figure out what you want out of life and see if it aligns.
We are so lucky to live in a place where people from all over the world choose to make Vancouver Island their vacation spot.
