Hope

Hope sits where four highways converge, making it the unofficial crossroads of southwestern British Columbia. This isn’t just convenient geography—it’s the foundation of a community that’s thrived for over a century as a natural stopping point between Vancouver and the Interior.

The town’s claim to fame extends far beyond its role as a highway junction. Hope became Hollywood’s go-to filming location, doubling as small-town America in countless movies and TV shows. The most famous? Rambo: First Blood, which transformed Hope’s main street into a cinematic battleground and continues drawing film buffs decades later. The town embraces this legacy with chainsaw carvings scattered throughout, turning public art into a tourist attraction that keeps visitors lingering longer than a simple gas stop.

What really sets Hope apart is its unique position in BC’s climate zones. Sitting in Zone 8b, it enjoys one of the mildest climates in the province’s interior regions, supporting everything from fruit trees to heat-loving plants that struggle elsewhere. This extended growing season has attracted retirees and lifestyle seekers who want mountain views without mountain winters.

The Fraser River runs right through town, providing world-class salmon fishing that draws anglers from across North America. Add the nearby Othello Tunnels—former railway passages turned hiking trails—and you’ve got a community that punches above its weight for outdoor recreation.

Hope’s economy balances tourism, retail, and light manufacturing, with Nestlé’s water bottling operation providing steady employment. The median age of 54.8 years reflects its appeal to empty nesters and retirees who appreciate small-town pace with big-city accessibility.

Currently, Tekamar maintains a maximum LTV of 0% in Hope, meaning we don’t actively lend in this market. However, we continue monitoring the community as part of our broader Fraser Valley assessment strategy.