Gold River

Gold River sits at the end of Highway 28, where Vancouver Island’s wilderness begins in earnest. This community of 1,246 residents knows something about resilience—built originally as a company town for the now-defunct pulp mill, it’s reinvented itself as the gateway to some of British Columbia’s most spectacular outdoor adventures.

The numbers tell an interesting story: with a median age of 56.4 years and 30.5% of residents over 65, Gold River attracts people who’ve figured out what matters. Many are retirees drawn by affordable housing and proximity to world-class fishing, hiking, and cave exploration. The Upana Caves alone draw adventure seekers from across North America, while the nearby Golden Hinde—Vancouver Island’s highest peak—offers serious mountaineering challenges.

What makes Gold River unique isn’t just its outdoor playground status. It’s one of the few places where you can buy a decent house for under $300,000 and wake up to the kind of scenery that costs millions elsewhere. The housing market reflects this reality: 68.9% single-detached homes dominate, with row houses making up another 16.4%—practical choices for a community where function trumps flash.

The economic foundation rests heavily on forestry, fishing, and hunting (25% of employment), supplemented by healthcare and education services. While this creates some vulnerability to resource sector fluctuations, the community’s transformation into an outdoor recreation hub provides diversification potential.

For mortgage brokers, Gold River represents opportunities with borrowers who prioritize lifestyle over luxury. Our 55% maximum LTV reflects the reality of a smaller market with longer sale timelines, but also recognizes the genuine appeal this community holds for those seeking authentic West Coast wilderness living without the Vancouver Island price premium.

The appeal here isn’t complicated: clean air, clean water, and adventures that start at your doorstep. Sometimes that’s exactly what people are looking for.