Cranbrook

Cranbrook sits at the heart of the East Kootenays like a Swiss Army knife for outdoor enthusiasts — practical, reliable, and surprisingly well-equipped for whatever adventure you’re planning next. This city of 20,500 has figured out something most places haven’t: how to be a legitimate economic hub while keeping the mountains close enough to touch.

The “City of Cranbrook” isn’t just marketing speak. As the largest community between Calgary and Kelowna, it anchors a region that stretches from the Columbia Valley to the Alberta border. Healthcare workers, retail managers, and construction crews don’t just work here — they stay here, drawn by median household incomes of $80,000 and the kind of lifestyle most people only get on vacation.

Here’s what makes Cranbrook different: it’s earned its reputation as the gateway to the Powder Highway without becoming a tourist trap. Fernie Alpine Resort, Panorama, and Kimberley Alpine Resort all sit within an hour’s drive, but Cranbrook remains refreshingly focused on real life. Single-detached homes make up 65% of the housing stock, and with nearly a quarter of residents over 65, this is where people come to settle down, not just pass through.

The economics work because the fundamentals work. Retail trade employs 16.5% of the workforce, healthcare another 14%, and construction rounds out the top three at 8%. These aren’t boom-and-bust industries — they’re the steady backbone of a community that’s grown 2.3% since 2016 while maintaining its character.

For mortgage brokers, Cranbrook represents the sweet spot between stability and opportunity. The property values support solid equity positions, the economy provides multiple income sources, and the lifestyle keeps people invested in staying. Our maximum loan-to-value ratio of 60% reflects both the market’s reliability and our confidence in this community’s long-term appeal.

Cranbrook doesn’t need to reinvent itself because it got the formula right the first time: real jobs, real recreation, and real value.