This page was last modified on:
Yes, the word is out. We have moved to Cumberland!
|
 |
Located in the Comox Valley south of Courtenay, and once Canada's smallest and westernmost city, Cumberland was a bustling coal mining community from 1888, with workers streaming in from Europe, China and Japan.
Cumberland was founded in 1888 by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. The original settlement was named Union after the Union Coal Company. In 1898, the post office address of Union was changed to Cumberland, as many of the town miners were from the famous English coal-mining district of Cumberland in England.
Cumberland remained an active coal mining town until 1966, enduring devasting mine explosions and bitter labour disputes. Cumberland had become an important centre for local trade and commerce, with distinct ethnic settlements having been established. As the coal industry declined, the local population decreased, until Cumberland began to reclaim its history and transform a quiet village into a dynamic tourist centre.
For those who've seen Victoria's Craigdarroch Castle where coal baron Robert Dunsmuir lived, come see where the coal miners worked. In Cumberland, you'll find heritage buildings and the remains of what once was one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Whether your interest is in history, culture, recreation or beautiful scenery, Cumberland has something for everyone.
Population: 2,881 ..oops.. 2,883
------------
Why Cumberland? We are asked that questions quite often when friends and relatives hear that we have moved, not only to Vancouver Island, but also to the little village of Cumberland.
We had been looking at property on Vancouver Island since 2002. For those of you who have seen our home in Kamloops know what a big house it is and how much work the lawns, pond and flower beds were. Larry and I were not getting any younger. The steps in the house were starting to bother me so we knew that we would eventually need a one level home with a smaller yard. We decided that, although we were starting to feel the aches and pains of aging, we were too young and free spirited for the restrictions of condo living or senior complexes.
For six years we toyed with the idea of moving without really doing anything about it. We shuttered at the thought of cleaning out our garage/workshop. We continued to work on the farm in the spring and summer and travel in the winter. Life was good. We had renters in our Kamloops home from October 2006 to August 2008. It was actually those renters that pushed our decision to try to sell. They are a couple our age who loved the house and garden but also found the stairs and yard to be too much work. They both had health issues so when the opportunity came along that they were able to rent an entry level condo they had to take it.
That gave us the push we needed. We had the house appraised and had hoped it would sell quickly....NOT. Well, you all know what took place with housing in 2008. We had the house on the market for several months. It sat vacant while we were traveling in Mexico last winter. We have since taken it off the market and have it rented out again.
In the meantime, back in May 2008 we heard about this house for sale in Cumberland. We had viewed it in 2008. It had everything we had on our wish list. Level entry, small yard, 1600 square feet, (roomy enough for the two of us), three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and close enough to doctors, shopping and entertainment. In July 2009, we heard that it also had not sold. We decided to go out on the limb and purchase it.
We made the move on September 1, 2009. What a hectic and exhausting time for the two of us but we are now basically settled and are finding time to explore the area.
Our new home is located on the edge of Cumberland in a new subdivision. We are within walking distance to the village. There is only one main street in Cumberland which consists mainly of a post office, gas station, meat market, dental office, doctor office, library, coffee shops, two restaurants, civic centre, recreation centre, hotel, liquor store, and a variety of other neat and unusual little shops. The other day when we were walking in the village we discovered a neat bistro off the main street. There is also a very interesting museum. And everyone is so friendly. We have been made to feel so welcome.
We are only a ten minute drive from downtown Courtenay, 16 minutes from Comox, 30 minutes from the ski hill of Mount Washington and 90 minutes from the Duke Point ferry that runs between Tsawwassen (Vancouver area) and Nanaimo.
Courtenay has a lot of the big box stores and Nanaimo has huge shopping malls so everything we will need is here. There is also talk of a Costco being built not far from our home.
We certainly will not be lonely. We have several friends within a one hour radius. My son, Rob and his family live in Victoria. (About 2.5 hours south of us). Larry also has several cousins on the island as well as his Uncle Ernie and his wife, Mary and his Aunt Jean.
We are looking forward to the spring and summer. The fishing this past season was fantastic. We hope to get the camper out and explore as much as we can. There are loads of wilderness camping spots as well as lots of ocean side camping spots. The options are endless....we should not get bored.
The population of Vancouver Island is around 750,000. Most people have settled in the larger centres of Victoria and Nanaimo. The Inland Island Highway runs north of Nanaimo and is a relaxing trip once you clear some congestion going through Nanaimo....but nothing compared to getting out of Vancouver on a business day. And hardly any pollution!!!! The Island pace is a relaxing slow and easy pace....maybe due to the fact that there are a lot of seniors retired over here.
As most of you know, the Olympic Torch Relay commenced in Victoria last Friday. It traveled through Cumberland on Monday morning. Larry and I walked into the village to witness it. I was so thrilled as I was able to have my photo taken with three of the torch bearers. A thrill of a life time. It was so neat. The Coca Cola Promotion Van was there and they were giving out free bottles of coke along with flags. The people lining the streets (all three blocks) cheered on our local torch bearer.....we only knew him as "Uncle Bob". He is 78 years old and was so thrilled to have been chosen to carry the torch for 300 metres.
Front of our house
View to South
Back yard 1
Back yard 2
| 