It was 2021, and I’d just moved from Toronto back to Waterloo to live with my parents for a brief stint during COVID. While I loved Toronto dearly, I felt like my time there had come to an end, and I was ready for a new chapter.
On a whim, I decided to take a trip out to Vancouver to visit a pal. I booked a one-way ticket, unsure how long I’d stay. And, as many Ontarians who’ve ventured west can probably relate to, I never left.
Over the next five years, I made Vancouver my home. But perhaps because I’ve turned into a bit of a grandma, or maybe because of my growing love for nature, peace, and quiet, the constant hustle of the city started to wear me down.
The noise, the crowds, the seemingly endless construction, and the rapidly growing population had me craving something a little slower.
My reprieve came from regular escapes to the trails outside the city, with Squamish quickly becoming one of my favourite places to visit.
Whether I was hiking Sea to Summit or the Chief, strolling along Jack’s Trail, or grabbing a coffee at Cloudburst Café, Squamish always felt familiar and comforting.
It was my happy place. And in many ways, it already felt like home.
A Little About Squamish
If you haven’t been to Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), or even heard of it, it’s a little mountain town along the Sea to Sky Highway, nestled between Vancouver and Whistler.
With almost 400 mountain biking trails, 1,500 climbing routes, and more than 150 hikes—not to mention its location along Howe Sound, where the winds make it a world-class kiteboarding destination—it’s known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada for a reason.
The slogan “Hardwired for Adventure” perfectly captures the ethos of the place. Adventure isn’t just something you do in Squamish; for many people who live here, it’s a way of life.
Squamish is also deeply rooted in Indigenous culture and is part of the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), whose people have lived on these lands for thousands of years.
One of the town’s most iconic landmarks is the Stawamus Chief, the massive granite monolith that towers over Squamish and holds deep spiritual and cultural significance to the Squamish Nation.
Between the icy blue rivers, the Tantalus Range, the Chief, and Mount Garibaldi, the scenery here can feel almost unreal.
I still regularly look around and think, Is this place really Canada?
Squamish is a special place. And if you’ve ever visited, I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Making the Move
In 2025, I met my now-partner, McKenzie, who had previously lived in Squamish for three years before moving back to Vancouver.
She started showing me around, introducing me to her favourite spots, trails, and neighbourhoods, and giving me a whole new perspective on a town I already loved.
My solo dates with Squamish soon turned into actual dates, with Kenz and my dog, Billie, joining me on our little mountain adventures.
One day, while exploring some of the trails, we spotted an apartment complex tucked into a beautiful spot surrounded by nature.
What a beautiful place to live, I remember thinking.
Many of the units backed onto the trails, with stunning views of DeBeck’s Hill, the Chief, and the Tantalus Range.
As luck would have it, our realtor told us that a unit was coming onto the market soon. And without much hesitation, we jumped at the opportunity.
It was actually happening. We were moving to Squamish!
As we packed up our life in Vancouver and prepared to move our little fur family—Billie and our newest addition, Stevie—I felt beyond excited for this next chapter.
I knew Squamish well, but I also knew there was so much more to discover.
Kenz and I moved here to be closer to nature, embrace a slower pace of life, find a little more peace and quiet, and live a bit more simply.
And, of course, you really can’t beat those 360-degree mountain views.
And Then Came Life in Squamish
I was out for a run around Alice Lake Provincial Park when an idea struck me. And, as synchronicity would have it, Kenz had been brewing up an idea of her own.
Strangely enough, we were thinking the exact same thing: What if we documented what life is like here in Squamish?
A little corner of the internet for tourists, locals, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of leaving the city behind for a simpler life in the mountains.
Kenz loves creating content, and I love writing, so it felt like a natural fit to combine our passions and bring Life in Squamish to life.
And now, with the launch of this blog, we’re excited to share little snippets of our lives here: the adventures we get up to, the trails we explore, our favourite spots around town and the wonderful people behind them, life with our two dogs, and all the everyday moments that make living here so special.
After just a couple of months, one thing has become abundantly clear: Squamish is more than just a beautiful place to live. It’s a community, and one we’re so grateful to be part of.
So, welcome to The Squamish Life. We’re so happy you found us, and we hope you’ll stay awhile (and come back often!).
– Emily, McKenzie, Stevie & Billie
