People often ask why I care so much about Squamish. Some of it is my job, since I help families find homes here. But mostly because I grew up in this town, and now I’m raising my own kids here. Squamish has changed a lot in my lifetime, but the things I loved about it as a kid are still here. Here are my five reasons I think there’s no better place to live.
It still feels like a small town
Squamish is growing fast. Every year brings new neighbourhoods, new families and new businesses, and with them more jobs and more to do. But I still can’t get through the grocery store, the hockey rink or the school pickup line without running into someone I know. People wave from their cars. Neighbours check in on each other. My kids are growing up in a town where people know their names, and that matters to me more than almost anything else.
Not many towns manage both. You can build a career or start a business here and still know the people who live on your street.
Halfway between Vancouver and Whistler
When I was growing up, it felt like we knew something the rest of the province hadn’t figured out. Whistler is about an hour up the highway if you want a day on the slopes. Vancouver is about an hour the other way for shopping, concerts, the airport or a night out.
Then we get to drive home to a town where life moves a little slower. The secret is out now, of course, but the location is just as good as it ever was.
Trails minutes from home
Squamish is known for outdoor recreation, and the reputation is well deserved. Riders come from around the world for our mountain bike trails, and for most of us they’re a few minutes from the front door. There’s also hiking, climbing on the Stawamus Chief, trail running, kiting on Howe Sound and the backcountry beyond all of it.
For families, that means kids who spend their childhood outside, trying new things and getting comfortable in the mountains. Nobody here has to schedule time to be active. It’s just what people do after work and after school.
Lakes, rivers and room to breathe
Some of my best childhood memories are summer days spent swimming in our lakes and rivers. Alice Lake and Brohm Lake were our playgrounds, and now my kids are making the same memories in the same spots. Even with all the growth, Squamish still has quiet corners. You can still find a bit of land, hear the river instead of traffic, and look up to see eagles overhead. Many growing communities have lost that. We’re lucky we haven’t.
Local businesses that know your name
Our downtown and neighbourhoods are full of independent shops, cafes, breweries and restaurants run by people who live here. Two of my favourites are Pepe’s and the Watershed. The food is as good as anything I’ve had in the city, and both feel like home the minute you walk in. For a weekend brunch or dinner with friends, we’re spoiled for choice.
It’s not only restaurants. Walk into Greg Gardner GM or Precision Optical, and there’s a good chance they’ll greet you by name. That’s hard to find in a big city, and I try never to take it for granted.
The people who own these businesses are our friends, our kids’ coaches and the sponsors of our local teams. When you spend money here, it goes back into the community.
This is Home
I’ve lived in other places and seen what else is out there. Squamish has always been home. It’s a beautiful place to build a life, and people here look out for one another. I’m grateful that I get to raise my family here, and that my work lets me help other families make it home too.
Evelyn Schellenberg is a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Masters Realty, born and raised in Squamish. She can be reached at 604 849 0144 or evelyn@evelynschellenberg.com.
