Coast Life

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Sunshine Coast Living
Cost of Living
Working on the Coast
Finding a Job
Self Employment/Business Support

Sunshine Coast Living

Lower Gibsons

The Sunshine Coast truly represents a superior quality of life and offers everyone from families to retirees an ideal place to relocate. The availability of modern amenities including heath care facilities, recreation centres and a variety of publicly accessible business services partnered with the stunning natural landscape of the area offers something for everyone. With immediate access to old-growth forests, pristine lakes and stretches of ocean shoreline, recreational activities are abundant and can be enjoyed year-round thanks to a moderate climate.

The Coast’s rich arts and culture add a unique touch to the community, generating a support system for local artisans and allowing their talents to be showcased. Talent also takes the form of locally owned and operated shops, restaurants, Breweries & Cideries that offer one-of-a-kind treasures and use fresh and often local ingredients to reveal the Coast’s distinctive flavour.

A great deal of pride is taken in offering a safe community with a very low crime rate and overall cleanliness as well as in the variety and quality of the education system and facilities. Especially valued is the availability of post-secondary education, which provides greater opportunities for residents.

Sunshine Coast government bodies consistently work towards strengthening community services, such as park maintenance and public transportation, and values public input in all areas allowing residents to be informed and have a say in what is happening in their community.

Overall, the Sunshine Coast excels at providing an unspoiled wilderness blended with diverse talent, modern amenities and community togetherness. And all of this is only 45 minutes away from Vancouver, making day trips to the city a welcome possibility as you won’t have to be away from the Coast for too long!

Cost of Living

Those who are attracted to the southern Sunshine Coast and are considering the area as home can expect a relatively affordable and high quality standard of living. Real estate prices are noticeably lower than in larger cities and there is a wide range of affordable housing and property throughout the Coast.

Goods generally match or are lower than big city prices and most products can be found locally, eliminating frequent trips into Vancouver. In fact, shopping locally is strongly encouraged, especially in this age of environmental sensitivity, and it is easy to do – locally grown, organic produce is available either directly from the farmer or in most grocery stores and the abundance of locally made crafts and products guarantee you’ll find something you need.

A variety of Sunshine Coast services also reflect lower comparative prices. The local transit system which services a variety of routes in and around Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Gibsons, Langdale and the ferry terminal, offers single/return trip fares and daily and monthly passes for adults as well as special senior and student rates. It is important to note that not all areas of the Coast receive bus service – full schedules and fares are available online. Ferry service for the Sunshine Coast is considered an essential service as it is the only way to transport a vehicle off the peninsula. This means that, unlike other BC Ferry routes, the fare is only applicable when boarding at Horseshoe Bay. Passengers can also save on Horseshoe Bay to Langdale fares by using the BC Ferries Experience™ Card.

Ferry fares vary based on the time of year – referred to as peak, shoulder and off-peak times – as well as the type of vehicle, number of passengers and whether you are travelling by foot. As of August 2021, passenger walk-on fares are $13.90 and fares for a standard vehicle and driver are $60.65.

Other noticeable savings are reflected in gas prices, (which are often approximately $0.05 lower than they are in Vancouver), the cost of seeing a big-screen movie in the Coast’s two privately-owned theatres, and some monthly household expenses such as cable and internet connections when serviced through local providers.

Working on the Coast

In the last two decades the Sunshine Coast has undergone a transition in employment sectors. Historically, fishing and forestry have been major industries on the Coast providing hundreds of jobs and great deal of support to the local economy. While resource based industries continue to be a significant part of the local employment structure, the gradual shift away from these mainstays has opened the door for new opportunities for residents. Most notably, the service sector has increased dramatically and boasts one of the Coast’s highest employment rates. Positions in retail, hospitality and the arts currently provide jobs for a significant percentage of the local population. Looking to the future, the service sector will continue to expand to meet the needs of the expanding retirement aged populations across the region. Positions in health and wellness and recreation will grow fastest - there is already a need for home support and hospital health care workers - and jobs that provide entertainment, home maintenance, real estate and other individual services will grow quickly as well.

With the flow of retirement expected to increase, an employment vacuum is likely to occur, which should attract younger workers to the Coast to fill vacant positions. Currently many sectors across the Coast, especially the retail and restaurant industries are in need of workers, as the province emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The steadily increasing population also continues to drive growth in the construction sector. Therefore, positions for individuals with skills in construction and trades will be opening all across the Coast as site managers and supervisors retire. In preparation for this labour shortage, local secondary schools are focusing on programs that introduce and develop the necessary skills for positions in the trades and encourage interested students to pursue careers locally.

As population grows, so does infrastructure. This continual improvement is opening up opportunities where they didn’t exist previously. Typically, small communities are not able to boast employment opportunities in finance, science and technology and import and export manufacturing.

Traditionally, Sunshine Coast residents in these fields, and other like them, have only had the opportunity to commute to Vancouver. There are approximately 500 individuals who commute by ferry and float plane during the week. Fortunately, both the ferries and local bus transportation maintain commuter-friendly schedules. With the introduction of new infrastructure, like fibre optic networks and the potential for scheduled air service, the door has been flung open for new business opportunities. Information Technology centres, remote work opportunities and many other careers that have not been found locally before are now potentially available to residents.

While our local economic mix continues to evolve, the opportunities to effectively use specific skills through self-employment continue to expand. Approximately 25% of the Sunshine Coast’s population is currently self-employed. When the advancements in infrastructure and high-speed telecommunications are combined with the peacefulness of the Coast’s natural setting and its proximity to Vancouver, it is evident why there are going to be so many opportunities for self-employment across all sectors.

Finding a Job

If you are in search of employment opportunities on the Coast, the Open Door Group and the Sunshine Coast WorkBC Employment Services Centre can help. With a centrally located office in Sechelt, the Centre assists residents in finding employment as well as providing information on employment insurance and income assistance. A regular schedule of employment workshops are available in-office and online and cover topics ranging from resume writing tips to interview skills. As well as providing access to a current job board, the centre also offers information on a variety of services including low cost childcare, housing, access to detox, health services, advocacy and other such resources.

Self Employment & Business Support

Sechelt Waterfront

Starting a new life on the southern Sunshine Coast can also include starting a new business venture too. If owning a business is something that you’ve dreamed of or if an opportunity presents itself, you’re fortunate to have a variety of business support services on the Coast.

Within Gibsons, Elphinstone and Roberts Creek the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce is the first stop for entrepreneurs. In Sechelt, the Sechelt and District Chamber of Commerce has a wealth of business information and is a valuable resource for new and existing businesses. Further North, the Pender Harbour Chamber of Commerce also offers useful information for potential business owners and is a great place to start.

It should be noted that these three main Coast communities are a relatively short distance from each other and there are always opportunities to engage with other business owners and explore the opportunities once you connect with any business organization.

Another helpful resource on the Coast, especially if you’re still in the planning phases or thinking about expanding, franchising or selling your current business, is Community Futures. They can help you create business and financial plans, choose the right location, source financing, provide market data and much more.

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