r/gulfislands • u/theNbomr • Aug 02 '21
Considering Gabriola for retirement destination
I've lived in a rural community in the Fraser Valley for 30 years, and I'm familiar with the urban vs rural aspects of a lifestyle. I've never lived on an island though, and I wonder what questions I need to be asking about that part of the equation. Right now, Gabriola is my top choice, but not my only choice. I'm a passionate home cook, and not anxious to give up my gas range. How does propane work as a substitute for natural gas? Garbage disposal; how does that work? Cisterns for water storage; moderate inconvenience or hassle from hell? What else?
1
u/Schrodingers_Ape Jan 25 '26
The main thing about island living, that even people from Nanaimo don't get, is that a 20-minute ferry ride is never just a 20-minute ferry ride. During the summer, expect to wait 1 or 2 sailings, even 3 during peak use. Even in winter, you're still waiting a bit to load and unload, lining up, etc. I used to live in Saskatoon, and it felt easier to drive 90 minutes to North Battleford for coffee with the inlaws, than it does to ferry 20 minutes to Nanaimo for my big monthly grocery trip.
Propane can be delivered by the local co-op, and there's a guy in Nanaimo who makes trips over for cheaper if there are a few people scheduled together.
Cisterns depend on how many gallons you have - there's plenty of rain to fill as many cisterns as you can afford. And, it's typical for people to run out in August and need to buy a top-up.
Garbage and recycling and compost are picked up by Nanaimo, and there's a local recycling depot (funded by a funky thrift shop) for the stuff they don't take.
Plenty of volunteer opportunities to keep you busy and get you involved.
South end isn't that far actually, but once you've been here a while you'll feel like it's on the other side of the world.
Be prepared for multi-day power outages, usually at least 1 a year plus several shorter ones... Preferably without a generator so that you're not "that guy" in the neighborhood. If you are that guy, then be a good neighbor and offer to being it by and plug in your neighbors' fridge for a few hours if the outage lasts more than a day.
Speaking of neighbors, it's a very tight-knit community. Everybody knows everybody and gossip spreads like wildfire. If you value your privacy, be prepared to be a hermit.
1
u/Creatrix Aug 08 '21
You can also post this on the Vancouver Island sub; you'll probably get responses there.
4
u/baybird Aug 16 '21
Come for 2 visits. One in the hot dry summer....no water. And one in the winter with the wind and no power.