One of 'Canada's best spots to live' is this little seaside town with sparkling views

Time for a getaway?

Person by a harbour. Right: Someone at a beach.

A small town on Vancouver Island.

Editor

Tucked away on an enchanting island in B.C. sits this idyllic little community. It has the quiet you only find in small towns, complemented by sandy beaches, seaside views, and quaint streets lined with local shops.

Canadians have named this small town in B.C. one of the best in the country to live in, according to a Narcity Facebook poll, and a glance will have you considering a move.

Comox is a coastal town on Vancouver Island — a gateway to the unbelievable natural wonders of the region, but also a charming spot all on its own.

Strolling through town, you feel like you're on the set of a small-town romance movie. Its picture-perfect streets are lively and vibrant, with cute boutiques, cozy cafes, and local restaurants.

There's even a pre-set journey to take you on the ultimate shopping experience in town, called "The Shopper's Stroll". It's about a kilometre long and will leave you past local artisans, gift shops, book stores, and lots more.

Nature is woven throughout the town with lush parks and sandy beaches — all with distant mountain views. A go-to shoreline near a town is Air Force Beach, which has velvety sand and clear blue water.

After exploring downtown, you can stroll down to the harbour and marina, where you'll get more picturesque views.

All of this is set just three hours from the bustling city streets of Victoria, and a BC Ferries ride away from Vancouver (the journey from there takes around four hours, ferrying to Nanimo and then driving to Comox).

Comox is situated within the stunning Comox Valley region, which has everything from mountains to farmland and beaches. It's worth driving around the area, stopping at the local markets, looking out at the scenery, and exploring the other little communities scattered around.

Fall is an especially beautiful time to visit here, when the weather is crisper but the nature is lush. There are also beautiful wineries and microbreweries here – ideal for a cozy fall weekend.

If you have the time, then you can keep on road tripping and explore other parts of the island. It has everything from lush rainforest hikes and hidden waterfalls to secluded beaches.

Add Comox to your fall bucket list!

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. After working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, she joined Narcity with a move to B.C., drawn to the beauty of Western Canada. Since then, she's documented her experience moving to Vancouver, covering everything from local events to bucket-list travel destinations across Canada's West Coast.

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