Homesick on the Sunshine Coast, BC
Making friends can be hard when you're new in town
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Dreaming about relocating to BC’s Sunshine Coast is one thing, but actually doing it is something entirely different. Paul and I weren’t prepared for the loneliness that hit us during the first six to 12 months. Moving to a new community where we didn’t know anyone was a major adjustment, and I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to meet people and build a new support system.
Finding community
As photographers/videographers working from home, our opportunities to meet new people were limited. For the first six months, I really struggled. It wasn’t until I discovered a badminton drop-in group that I started to feel like part of the community. Making friends through badminton was a turning point for me, even if it was just casual acquaintances at first.
On more than one occasion during that first year, Paul and I took turns wanting to move back to Edmonton. But if you can push through that initial period of loneliness, you’ll eventually start to make new connections and build a new support system.
Experiencing loneliness in different ways
I found my footing faster than Paul. I made new friends relatively soon but it took over a year for Paul to do the same. He’s more solitary and didn’t miss having friends as quickly as I did. He stayed connected with his friends back home through phone calls, texts, and emails, but eventually, he did start to miss that personal connection.
For me, the loneliness hit harder and sooner. But when I was down, Paul reassured me that things would get better and that I’d make friends. When Paul eventually reached that same point, I gave him that same support. Having each other to lean on made a big difference in making the transition from Alberta to BC.
How to make friends as an adult
We don’t have kids or pets so finding ways to meet new people took some creativity. I was more proactive than Paul and I went out of my way to find groups and activities that I interested me. Back in Edmonton, I played volleyball and soccer, but on the Sunshine Coast, I couldn’t find equivalent groups. I did fine badminton (which I now love) and joined the Gibsons Paddle Club. Between badminton and paddling, I made a lot of new friends.
Finding friends in odd places
If you own a business, the Chamber of Commerce is another way to meeting people. I attended a chamber meeting and said that I didn’t need any business help but I did need a hiking partner. After the meeting, a woman approached me and said she’d happily show me some local trails. Many years later, I still hike regularly with Donna.
Making adult friends is tough
We carry the baggage of past experiences and we fear not fitting in. But in a small community like Gibsons, people are almost universally welcoming and eager to make new connections.
Relocating often means feeling lonely. Know that that’s a normal part of moving to a new community. But even a modest effort to make new friends will go a long way.
If you’re new to the Sunshine Coast, (or you’re deciding whether or not to make the move), feel free to reach out – Paul and I might be able to refer you to groups or clubs specific to your interests.
Connect with Val & Paul
We're Val and Paul and we're a married couple who live on BC's Sunshine Coast! We moved from Alberta to Gibsons in 2014 and love our life on Canada's West Coast! Subscribe to our YouTube channel and email newsletter and you'll learn what it's like to live in the most beautiful place in Canada.
Val Labrecque is a REALTOR® with RE/MAX City Realty Gibsons.
Welcome back! Great edition.