I moved to the Comox Valley in 2023 and quickly realized there was no single place to find out what was actually going on here. Not the tourism stuff, the real stuff. Where do people hike? What groups can you join if you want to meet people? Which mechanic won’t rip you off? Where’s the good coffee?
The information was out there, scattered across Facebook groups, outdated websites, word of mouth, and the occasional helpful stranger. But piecing it together took time and a lot of trial and error. I figured if I was going to do the work anyway, I might as well write it down.
So that’s what this is: a place to collect the things I’ve learned about living here, along with whatever else might be useful to someone trying to figure out the Valley.
What this is (and isn’t)
The Valley Guide isn’t trying to be comprehensive. It’s not a business directory or a complete events calendar. There are other places for that.
Instead, think of it more like having a neighbour who’s been here a while and can point you in the right direction. Someone who’ll tell you which hikes are actually worth doing, which groups are welcoming to newcomers, and which services they’d personally recommend—along with the honest caveats.
The emphasis is on:
- Things that help you participate: events, groups, volunteer opportunities
- Practical information: services, local knowledge, how things work here
- Honest perspective: not everything is “amazing,” and that’s okay
A note on recommendations
When I recommend something, it’s because I’ve used it myself or heard consistently good things from people I trust. I’m not paid to list anyone, and I don’t include everything—just the places that seem worth knowing about.
If something’s listed here, there’s a reason. If it’s not, it might just mean I haven’t discovered it yet.
What I believe about community resources
- Useful beats comprehensive: A smaller list of genuinely helpful things is better than an exhaustive list that’s impossible to navigate.
- Honest beats promotional: Real recommendations acknowledge tradeoffs. If everything sounds perfect, nothing sounds trustworthy.
- Specific beats generic: “They meet Sundays at 9am, bring your own coffee” is more useful than “a vibrant community gathering.”
- Local beats official: The stuff that helps you actually live somewhere often isn’t on official websites. It’s learned through experience.
How it’s maintained
I update the site when I learn something new, when things change, or when someone sends me a good suggestion. It’s a side project, not a full-time job, so it grows gradually.
If you notice something out of date, or think something should be added, I’d genuinely like to hear about it. This is meant to be a community resource, and it’s better when people contribute what they know.
Moving somewhere new is hard. There’s so much you don’t know, and no obvious way to learn it. My hope is that this site makes that a little easier, that it helps you find your people, figure out where to go, and start feeling at home here a bit faster.
Welcome to the Valley.
Get in touch
Have a suggestion? Notice an error? Just want to say hi?
I’d love to hear from you.