Come to live in beautiful Kitimat, BC

Not sure about the below rental figures. My Husband and I never paid less than $550/mth (2/3 bedrooms) in the 7 years we’ve lived here.
If anyone can attest to this, please let me know.

But Kitimat “is” the place to be, they have that part right. And we’re looking forward to the many changes the economy will be bringing our way soon.  It is a beautiful city with many things to do, from hiking and camping to fishing our World known rivers during the salmon runs. People come from all over to visit us and to enjoy the experience of being in a true rain forest environment. You’ll see wolves, grizzlies, and eagles…and that’s just from your backyard door.
If you take a charter, you may also see whales, porpoise, and seals or other exotic wildlife during your trip down the Douglas Channel
Kitimat “is” definitely the place to be!

From: http://atowncalledpodunk.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html#5595099018160530718
Looking for a place to rent, then Rupert or Kitimat is where you want to be, but you’ll still need a fair amount of cash!
Canada Mortgage and Housing released their statistics on rental properties today and while the rest of the province’s housing market is getting tight, in the Northwest, Kitimat and Prince Rupert still have a rather high vacancy rate.

The number of vacant units is declining slightly from a year ago, but is still rather high indicative of the struggling economies of the two northwest cities.
Vacancy rates in Prince Rupert in October of 2007 were listed as at 15%, down five percent from 2006’s 20% vacancy rate.

Kitimat in the meantime has bounced back by 13 percent, with a vacancy rate in 2007 of 21.0% down significantly from last years 34%.

Rupert and Kitimat were the only two communities in the province listed in double digits as far as vacant apartments go.

Terrace has a vacancy rate of 7.3 per cent, no data was provided for last year’s vacancy rate in Terrace.

Rents in the Northwest didn’t change very much from year to year.

Kitimat’s average rental cost decreased by one dollar with an average rent in the city listed as 454 dollars. Prince Rupert rents increased an average of 24 dollars with the average rent here listed as 561 dollars. Terrace rents jumped 41 dollars with rents listed as averaging 533 dollars.

Despite the high vacancy rate, Prince Rupert still remains among the costliest of places in the Northwest in which to rent an apartment in.

Kitimat 2006 Average Rent $455
Kitimat 2007 Average Rent $454

Terrace 2006 Average Rent $493
Terrace 200 Average Rent $533

Values of Home Sales in North West Region Higher In 2007

From: http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/7943/1/values+of+home+sales+higher+in+’07

After a record year in 2006, property sales through the Multiple Listing Service® of the BC Northern Real Estate Board remained strong in 2007. While the 6,639 sales was a drop from 2006’s record 7,055 sales, it was still well above the previous record of 6,344 sales in 2005. The total value of all properties sold through MLS® in 2007 was $1.2 billion – 13.6% higher than 2006 and 47% higher than 2005 sales values.

Communities in the northwest region also experienced increased sales in 2007.
MLS® sales in Kitimat reached record levels with 203 properties worth $25.2 million changing hands, up from 189 sales worth $21.2 million in 2006 and 107 properties worth $10.1 million in 2005. The 129 single family homes that sold had an average selling price of $143,486; half of the homes sold for less than $127,500 and on average, the time to sell dropped from 71 days in 2006 to 42 days in 2007. At the end of December there were 55 properties of all types available for sale through MLS® in the Kitimat area, down from 70 properties at the end of 2006 and 79 at the end of 2005

“KVI (Kitimat Valley Institute) to continue evolving,” says institute manager Roger Leclerc.

Hope everyone got their turkey on and enjoyed a great Holiday. I know I stuffed myself silly. Will have to do a few extra laps over the coming days to wear it off.

Here’s a post about a little blurb I found (albeit a little late) about an Institute of which I currently belong to – Go KVI!
If you’re interested in taking some Industrial courses or…upgrading to obtain your Grade 12 even, call the school for more information.

1352 Alexander Avenue
Kitimat, British Columbia V8C 1A2

Phone: (250) 639-9199
Fax: (250) 639-9669

From Kitimat Sentinel [ December 19, 2007]
http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/northernsentinel/news/12583741.html

The Kitimat Valley Institute is going to continue to grow and develop in the coming years, says institute manager Roger Leclerc.

“Its evolved along from when it first started,” he said, adding, “I’m sure in the next year or so it’ll change a bit more.”

Leclerc said the Job Readiness Program currently underway has just over 20 people enrolled while their safety programs draw 300-400 people a year.

Programs are also continually being added. For example, Leclerc said a pulp and paper program will be introduced in January.

“That one is basically with Eurocan,” he noted, “But there may be other people that come into it.”

Leclerc said the institute is continually assessing itself, considering what the community needs, and also what the region needs.