Is Fernie the Perfect Place to Live? Pros, Cons, and Insights

Discover the real Fernie lifestyle in Episode #44 of The Property Mindset Podcast. Join host Phil Gadd as he explores the pros and cons of living in this picturesque mountain town. From the unparalleled outdoor lifestyle and vibrant community events to the challenges of remote living, Phil shares valuable insights for those considering a move to Fernie, BC.

In This Episode:

• Living in Fernie: Pros and Cons – Understand what makes this mountain town unique, from world-class skiing to strong community ties.
• Outdoor Lifestyle – Learn why Fernie is a haven for skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and mountain bikers.
• Community & Events – Explore the vibrant local culture, including Griz Days, summer concert series, and more.
• Challenges of Remote Living – Consider the realities of long winters, high costs, and adjusting to small-town life.
• Real Estate and Cost of Living – Get the latest on Fernie’s real estate market and what it takes to call this town home.
• Phil’s Personal Journey – Hear Phil’s story of moving to Fernie from the UK and starting a family and business here.

If you’re curious about life in Fernie or considering making the move, this episode is packed with the information you need to decide if Fernie is right for you.

🔗 For personalized real estate advice or to start your Fernie property journey, book a call today

👉 Schedule a consultation with Phil today

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real estate insights and Fernie lifestyle tips!

Show Sponsor: First Tracks Real Estate Group - eXp Luxury

YOUTUBE - 🎥
INSTAGRAM - 📸
FACEBOOK - 💬

Transcript

0:00

Did you know, That Fernie receives an average of 30 feet of snowfall every year. For me as an avid snowboarder. I'm in paradise. But it's not all about the snow. Fernie is an outdoor playground with a lifestyle, all of its own. So is Fernie worth all the hype. And is it the right place for you? Welcome to the property mindset podcast, where we explore everything real estate from market trends to practical strategies for success. Whether you're a buyer or seller or an inspiring investor, a seasoned professional, or simply someone who loves real estate. This podcast is for you. Welcome back to the property mindset podcast, where we explore real estate, lifestyle and community, mostly here in Fernie, BC. I'm your host, Phil GAD. today we're taking a deep dive into the pros and cons of living in Fernie, BC. Fernie is a small mountain town nestled here in the Rockies, and it's gained a reputation as a paradise for mountain. And outdoor lovers from all cascade. Skiing. to, amazing mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails. Fernie has become a popular destination for those seeking adventure and a slower pace of life, but like any place living here has its realities. that go beyond the picture. Perfect views. So let's get into what makes phony, such a unique place to call home and what you should know before making the move here. let's start with what draws so many people to Fernie outdoor lifestyle. If you're into skiing or snowboarding, Fernie, Alpine resort has some of the best powder skiing in north America. The slopes are right at your fingertips. And the ski culture here is real. come spring and summer. Those same mountains, transform into some amazing biking and hiking trails, giving you endless ways to explore. Fernie. beyond the natural attractions, we have amazing local events and festivals. Throughout the year. Making the community feel vibrant all year round from the Wednesday social. summer concert series right downtown, which is amazing. I remember about seven or eight years ago. Cause I live right on downtown. They started doing these events and that'd be like myself and a couple of other people there. and now hundreds of people come down on a Wednesday to listen to some amazing music. the long standing Walker T music festival. every August here in Fernie and the annual Gris days, a winter. The celebration of winter. Named after Fern is mythical. Snow. God. You'll find a strong sense of community here in Fernie. But there's also a few myths and misconceptions about Fernie. people think it's all serene mountain living, but in truth, Fernie can be quite a busy cheers town at peak seasons. you find it difficult to get into some of the restaurants and, you know, locals. Typically don't go out to eat at certain times a year because they know it's just going to be crazy mayhem. while the outdoor lifestyle is appealing, it's not for everyone. We have some super heavy winters here can get, can get cold. And the remote living mean you're really want to love. The mountain lifestyle. If you're thinking of staying here. year round. So my story, what, why did I end up here? So you probably can tell from my accent that, I'm, not a, a true Canadian, well, say a true Canadian. I'm a Canadian citizen. but we are immigrants. We immigrated from the UK in 2009 with two small kids. my oldest was two and a half and my middle daughter Millie was one. we added an additional daughter. She Asia, I am Gus was born here in 2010. the kids have grown up here. and that was honestly one of the biggest reasons why we made the move. for the kids to have an amazing. upbringing in an amazing setting and community. the selfish reasons of, you know, I love snowboarding and mountain biking. we came in 2009. We started a business. we started the loaf bakery. we opened that in December, 2009. that business evolved from being a bakery and art sound bakery to a restaurant. we sold it last year, as a bar restaurant. we went there the other day, the lady that bought it Sonya. very graciously and kindly invited us back down for dinner a couple of weeks ago. And we went for my birthday. And it was amazing. So if you are looking for an amazing place to eat, this winter, go check out the loaf on second avenue. but you know, living in Fernie, wasn't always, plain sailing there was a very bleak point in the business around 2014, 15 that, we almost shut the doors. I'll be honest with you. It took me a long time to adjust because we, my. Myself and my wife, we lived in London for a long time. we did move out, to a very rural place in the UK before we moved here. But coming to Fernie, the remoteness took me a while to get used to it. So. You know, when, when you are considering moving here, something to really bear in mind because, it is something that takes a while. to adjust to. Like I mentioned, there are highs and lows, for every moment spent, on the mountain. there are the realities of the long cold winters and snow isn't measured in inches here. It's measured in feet. So I think on average, we get around 30 feet of snow every year. if you're not prepared for shoveling, icy roads and all the other winter maintenance, The season can feel pretty long and cold and gray. The cost of living is another challenge here. To be honest, a house prices have risen significantly, in the last few years. And if, uh, this is a good point here, if you want to get updated every month with my monthly report, I highly recommend you subscribe to this channel. we'll put a link above my head where you can check some of the previous ones out. But the average. Average cost of home in Fernie at the moment is around. it was over 750,000. A decent four bed. single family home will easily set you back. Well, over a million dollars. And there's not a ton of jobs here, to be honest. Covert definitely helped. not more people are working from home, but one of the reasons I decided to get into real estate. we were running the restaurant at the time, but we needed. more income. So I looked around and I'm probably a little bit old to train for dentist, a doctor. so I I'm good at selling. I'm good at. helping people, that's a big thing of what I do. I looked at real estate and, this year we're going to probably help around 40 people buy and sell, properties in Fernie. that's one of the reasons why I ended up in real estate because there isn't a lot of jobs. if you don't want to work in the mines or tourism, You know, you're going to have to be commuting maybe to Calgary. every, every week for work. groceries and essentials can be pricier here. which comes with living in a more, remote mountain location. And all those Fernie has a super strong sense of community adjusting to a small town. Pace can take time. Like I mentioned, especially if you're coming from a larger city. we don't have the big box stores here. And the choices for dining and shopping are limited. Although we do have some amazing shops and restaurants here. if you're used to all the, options in a big city, then, you know, that could take some, getting easy. for many. these trade-offs are what. makes Fernie so appealing the allure of Fernie. You know, it's a small town living. So is Fernie worth all the hype. well, in my opinion, if you're drawn to the mountains, love the active lifestyle. And enjoy super close knit community. Then living in Fernie can feel like a dream come true. It's a place where you can enjoy nature's beauty. every day, I pinch myself. I honestly pinch myself every morning. I take the dog for a walk. And I'm walking in amazing trails. Amazing forests. Fernie is an amazing place to live, but it is a place that requires some adaptation and an appreciation for the unique rhythm of mountain living. At the end of the day, I'd say Fernie offers a lifestyle that's genuinely rewarding for those who want it. just make sure you're prepared and understand what living in a remote mountain town entails. It's not for everyone. But for the right person. Fernie can be truly amazing. Thanks for tuning in food, the property mindset, podcast. Hope you liked this insight into Fernie. I'd love to hear your thoughts. have you experienced Ferny life? Do you love living here? are you thinking about moving here? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And don't forget to subscribe. if you want more insights into Fernie. And like I said, every month at the beginning, the first week of every month, It is my Fernie market report, where we do a deep dive into all the stats. surrounding real estate right here in Fernie. So until next time I am feel GAD, stay focused, stay informed. And keep building the property mindset.