Canada

Making the decision to leave your country, all your family and friends, not to mention the activities you enjoy doing with them is not easy. However, there are times in one’s life when you must make tough decisions. One of the most difficult for me was deciding to immigrate to northern British Columbia. Looking back now, I definitely know it was the right choice.

One of the main reasons I like living in the northern region of British Columbia is the high degree of security. Unlike Chile, where I lived for most of my life, the crime rate in British Columbia is very low. I don’t have to worry about being assaulted when I am out in public. Moreover, I don’t have to worry about my car being smashed or being broken into and the contents being stolen. In fact, I haven’t dealt with a single incident of this nature since I moved here.

Other positive aspects about living in the north are the slow pace of life and the way people interact with one another. In Chile, my life was hectic and my encounters with the general public were often unpleasant. For example, accomplishing everyday errands was a major ordeal. There were always long wait times, which more often than not involved dealing with rude pushy people. Additionally, I had to contend with heavy traffic and aggressive drivers. On the other hand, drivers in Canada are generally respectful: they follow the rules of the road, stop to let people cross the road, yield to let other drivers in, and keep their distance from bicyclists. If your car breaks down here, invariably somebody comes to the rescue.

Besides being safe and relaxed, the wilderness in northern British Columbia is both spectacular and vast. My hometown, McKenzie, is surrounded by giant evergreens, crystal clear lakes, and mountains. The night sky is amazing, the air is fresh air, and the water quality is exceptional. I wake up to the birds singing year-round, and in the summer the humming birds come to drink from the sugar water, I traditionally put out for them. I go to sleep listening to nothing but the blissful silence.

Living here, I get to go hunting, fishing for lake trout on sunny afternoons with my sons, hiking through the bush solo or with friends, and swimming in crystal clear lakes with my wife and kids. At night, we often have camp fires, roast marshmallows and if we are lucky, see the infamous northern lights. Also, we regularly go snowboarding during the winter months on Powder Mountain, which is 2,347 metres high.

In conclusion, my life here is pretty sweet. I don’t have to look over my shoulder for unexpected events, I don’t have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, and last but not least, I wake up every morning surrounded by endless beauty. This is definitely where I want to be for the rest of my life.