You’ll love Whitehorse if…
May 17, 2010
When I used to look after Urban Yukon, it was interesting to track how people would find the website. There were regular referrals from search engines where people would propose, “What’s it like to live in Whitehorse?”, “Life in the Yukon” or “Moving to Yukon”.
This post is for them.
I first moved to Whitehorse in 1998. After a year, I vowed never to come back; this place was too lonely, too remote and too cold. Then I met a Yukon girl. Summer passed and I followed her down to Vancouver. Four years later, we returned to the Yukon and have happily been here ever since.
Living in Whitehorse takes some adjustment, especially if you grew up a city kid like me. If you aren’t willing to adjust, you won’t make it. You’ll give up because it’s not the same; Whitehorse really is a unique place, at least as Canadian cities go.
You’ll love Whitehorse if…
You enjoy the outdoors and outdoor activities
This is probably the top reason to move here. You can walk out most neighbourhood homes’ front door and be in a forest or at a lake within minutes. Ski trails, both XC and alpine, are very close to the city centre. Incredible mountain bike singletrack is everywhere. Fishing is down the road.
You don’t need to see the newest movies in spectacular theatres
Whitehorse has two movie theatres; both are broken down and worn out. That said, the movies still run and people still watch, but neither are like any theatre you’ll go to in southern Canada. Arrive with low expectations and you’ll be cool.
You can do without the latest technology
You have to give Bell, Northwestel and Latitude credit for what they provide to Yukoners: fast, reliable Internet and 3G mobile services. Compared to down south, neither is wildly affordable, but at least they’re here and locally supported. That’s good enough for me.
You don’t need to hang out at shopping malls
There were cold winter days when our kids were very young that it would have been great to have a shopping mall that we could go to with a stroller, simply to walk around and be out of the house. Whitehorse doesn’t have any real malls. We made due with other ideas.
You appreciate great coffee
There’s a reason why we have so many awesome cafes in downtown Whitehorse; Yukoners love their coffee and like to socialize. Our arts and music scene is also big, which helps foster the coffee culture.
You can afford to get out
If you don’t have the means to get out of Whitehorse every once in a while, whether by road or air, this place will drain you. Even just one trip out per year will do wonders for your excitement, enthusiasm and appreciation of our city.
Whitehorse is a wonderful place to call home. Arrive with an open mind and you’ll soon find out why.
Comments
....otherwise you’ll end up a bitter, old codger, like a.r….
p@rick on May 20, 2010
Don’t forget the thriving local arts and music scenes; which not only produce world-class work but are are also unpretentious and welcoming to all.
Love living up here ... especially this time of year.
Jon Gel on May 20, 2010
Patrick - Haha!
Jon - I alluded to the arts and music scene with my coffee comment, but you’re right, that’s a really great benefit to living here…as is the never-ending sun at this time of year.
