Our Journey to a Simpler Life: Moving to a Small Town and Growing Closer

Back in November 2017, my wife and I embarked on a bold journey, leaving behind the bustling city life of Calgary, Alberta. Known for its shiny towers and cowboy spirit, Calgary had been our home, but the relentless hustle left us yearning for something more peaceful. We chose Nelson, British Columbia, a quaint, serene town of just 11,000 residents, a place where yoga mats outnumber briefcases.

Our demanding office careers and the chaos of city living with two young children had left us drained and disconnected. The endless cycle of traffic and work had us questioning the lifestyle we were maintaining. The answer, ultimately, was money. We were enslaved to high-paying jobs to sustain an expensive way of living that took a toll on our mental health and robbed us of family time.

We decided to make a drastic change. My wife left her job while I transitioned to a remote work role, and we set out to reduce our living expenses. Nelson offered a more affordable living situation and promised the slower pace we craved. However, the effects of the move went beyond financial relief; it reshaped our relationship with time, stress, and each other.

Timing Was Essential for Financial and Emotional Changes

Before we relocated, we sold our modest three-bedroom duplex in Calgary, where our mortgage ran us 2,900 CAD monthly (around 2,300 USD). Our daughter, at 3 years old, was in daycare costing over 1,000 CAD per month, while our 11-month-old son stayed home with my wife. We relied heavily on food delivery services, too exhausted for cooking amidst the daily hustle. Our financial situation felt stagnant, further burdened by costs related to commuting and downtown parking.

Exploring Nelson was initially like chasing a dream. Yet, we stumbled upon a charming three-bedroom heritage home for rent at a strikingly affordable 1,600 CAD per month. After renting for several years, we purchased a house, and our current mortgage is slightly under 3,100 CAD. While grocery costs remained similar, cooking at home ended up saving us 300 to 400 CAD monthly. The necessity for childcare vanished as our young ones grew, now attending school full-time.

Embracing a Slower Pace and Deepening Family Bonds

Life in Calgary had been a whirlwind, with mornings blending into an endless rush and evenings a hasty attempt to manage dinner, baths, and bedtime. Conversations between my wife and I rarely lingered beyond logistics or grocery needs. But in Nelson's tranquil setting, distractions faded, and together we found clarity.

We began the cherished tradition of dining together every evening. Laptops were put away, and late office nights became a relic of the past. Leisurely walks to the lake and hikes along the nearby forest trails became nightly rituals, aiding in our shift from urgency toward presence.

Tradeoffs and Gains

Our journey was not without sacrifices. The geographically closest grandparents now reside a seven-hour drive away, posing challenges for sudden babysitting needs or during illnesses. Decreased job opportunities accompanied our simpler lifestyle, and it took around four years to replenish our savings.

Yet the advantages have been profound. Our children enjoy greater liberty, engaging in dynamic play with local children, biking to school, and participating in wholesome outdoor activities such as days at the beach, skiing, or fort-building.

While our move aimed to lower living costs, it inadvertently alleviated the pressure cooker of stress that dictated our lives. We discovered abundance in time, space, and most importantly, in our familial bonds.

What began as a financial decision unfolded into an emotional awakening. Nearly eight years on, we remain grateful for that leap of faith.