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Total population
26,088
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Average household income
$101,362
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An hour north of Nanaimo, nestled on the east coast of Vancouver Island lies the city of Courtenay. This tiny island city has a population of just over 25,000 people, offering a small town feel with big city amenities. Located in the Comox Valley, Courtenay is surrounded by picturesque beauty. It is situated on the Strait of Georgia and has the Courtenay River running through it. Due to its island locale, you can expect a temperate climate with mild temperatures year-round. This allows residents to take full advantage of the surrounding nature, with conditions favourable to hiking, golfing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and more all year. Further, Courtenay is relatively affordable. Unlike BC’s largest city, Vancouver, or even the province’s capital of Victoria, cost of living in Courtenay is reasonable. Housing prices, rent, and daily expenses, like groceries and public transit, all tend to be lower than other parts of the province. Courtenay is also known for its stellar healthcare and education systems, which include the North Island Hospital and the Comox Valley School District. Those wishing to pursue post secondary close to home will have access to North Island College. Meanwhile, families will love that the city has a reputation for being clean and safe, with a lower crime rate than several other island cities, including Duncan and Port Alberni. Lastly, despite its small size, Courtenay has a range of amenities that residents will love, including restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, breweries, shopping centres, parks like Nymph Falls Nature Park, and Mount Washington Alpine Resort, a popular skiing destination. Strathcona Provincial Park, the province’s oldest park, is also located only an hour north of Courtenay, and it has some of the most scenic hiking trails and campsites on the whole island. Overall, Courtenay is an affordable and laid-back island oasis for all to enjoy.
The Comox Valley School District, also referred to as BC School District No. 71, is responsible for offering public education to Courtenay residents. In total, the district operates 22 schools and teaches over 10,000 students in Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, and Denman and Hornby Islands. Georges P. Vanier Secondary and Mark R. Isfeld Secondary are the two main high schools in Courtenay. When it comes to post-secondary options, North Island College is in Comox and Vancouver Island University is roughly one hour south in Nanaimo. If you’re willing to venture a bit farther, such as to the province’s capital of Victoria or its largest city of Vancouver, you will gain access to a plethora of other world-renowned institutions like the University of Victoria, Camosun College, Royal Roads University, Vancouver Island School of Art, the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Capilano University, Vancouver Film School, the Art Institute of Vancouver, and the Emily Carr University of Art + Design.
The main neighbourhoods in Courtenay include Arden, Courtenay East, Aberdeen Heights, Crown Isle, Valley View Estates, Sandwick, South Courtenay, Mission Road, Downtown Courtenay, and South Lerwick.
The provincially-operated BC Transit offers public transit service to Courtenay residents in the form of several bus routes. If you need to travel farther, the area has its own regional airport, the Comox Valley Airport, which has flights daily to Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. The nearest international airports are two and a half hours away in Victoria (Victoria International Airport) or a 40-minute flight away in Vancouver (Vancouver International Airport). Speaking of the mainland, Courtenay is also connected to the mainland by ferry. There is a BC Ferries route that connects the nearby ferry terminal in Comox, Little River Terminal, with Powell River. Residents can also choose to take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver to Nanaimo and drive up to Courtenay from Nanaimo. Coach bus services that transport passengers around the island include the Island Link Bus and Vancouver Island Connector. Finally, if you need medical care, the North Island Hospital Comox Valley services Courtenay, and the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is one hour away.
A Comox Valley detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) keeps Courtenay safe and secure. That said, crime rates and the likelihood of natural disasters are both low. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
Courtenay has a thriving yet affordable housing market, which is what makes it so attractive to families, retirees, and more. Due to Courtenay’s growth in the last decade, residents can now have their pick of a wide variety of properties, including bungalows, semi-detached homes, detached homes, townhomes, apartments, condos, and cottages.
When you live in Courtenay, you can expect to enjoy a high standard of living. Between the stunning natural beauty of the area coupled with the area’s low crime rates and affordable cost of living, there is lots to love about this tight-knit Vancouver Island community.
Courtenay is an arts and culture hub on Vancouver Island, but don’t take our word for it. The city and its surrounding areas are home to multiple festivals throughout the year, the largest being the Island Music Fest, which takes place annually in July. Meanwhile, other events in and around Courtenay include the North Island Festival of Performing Arts, Fiddlefest, and Comox Valley Highland Games. You can also find all kinds of live shows being put on by the Comox Valley Piano Society at the Stan Hagen Theatre in Courtenay.