McBride

McBride sits in the Robson Valley where the Fraser River carves through some of BC’s most dramatic mountain terrain. This town of 588 people isn’t just surviving in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies — it’s thriving as a gateway to outdoor adventures that draw visitors year-round.

The numbers tell an interesting story here. With 27.4% of residents over 65, McBride has become a magnet for retirees who’ve discovered they can afford mountain living without mountain prices. The median household income of $56,800 stretches further when you’re not competing with Vancouver buyers, and the fact that 75.5% of homes are single-detached houses means there’s actual space to breathe.

Sure, the 17.2% unemployment rate looks concerning on paper, but dig deeper and you’ll find an economy built around forestry, agriculture, and tourism that’s more resilient than the statistics suggest. The town serves as a critical stop along the Yellowhead Highway and sits at the heart of some of BC’s best backcountry recreation. Snowmobiling, hiking, fishing, and hunting aren’t just weekend activities here — they’re economic drivers that keep the community stable.

The housing market reflects McBride’s practical nature. With only 325 total dwellings and nearly 10% being movable homes, this isn’t a place chasing development dreams. It’s a community that values affordability and accessibility over appreciation potential.

For mortgage brokers working with clients who want mountain living without the Whistler price tag, McBride represents genuine opportunity. Tekamar offers our full range of equity-based lending products here, including second mortgages, debt consolidation, and bridge loans, with a maximum LTV of 50%. That conservative approach reflects the reality of smaller mountain communities — beautiful, stable, but requiring patience if exit strategies become necessary.