After nearly seven weeks here on the Sunshine Coast, I have settled in and I am starting to feel like an actual resident. After a few logistical struggles, things slowly came together. I finally found a great place to live and got my hands on a reliable and affordable used car. I also now know where to get the best (and strongest) espresso, where the most delicious and healthy bread is baked and, importantly, where to go for a nice glass of wine on a Friday night.
I have even managed to tuck in to a bowl of Holy Crap cereal, which I have become a great fan of. While it will definitely take more than that to be considered a "real" Sunshine Coast resident, it's not a bad start for a gal who spent the first week here commuting, on transit, from Kitsilano.
That being said, there are a few things I'm still getting used to. Having to drive to the grocery store or coffee shop as well as taking back my own recycling (rather than throwing it in a bin outside my apartment) are just a few things I'm navigating my way around. No complaints, just new processes for me.
Seeing deer roam the streets also takes some getting used to. Yes, I'm the person who gets excited and stops the car to take a picture. My apologies if you're driving by, wondering what that crazy lady is doing hanging halfway out her car window. Wildlife and recycling aside, I am thrilled to be on the Sunshine Coast. It's a very passionate and forward-thinking community, one that I am pleased to be a part of. I enjoy covering council and regional district meetings and reporting on issues that affect Coast residents.
It was at my first council meeting that I heard people discuss the topics of growth, density and, in particular, youth retention. My ears couldn't help but perk up.
While I don't exactly consider myself a youth, I understand the term is used relatively. Many of the issues that were discussed were very important to me,from more serious items like transportation, employment and affordable housing, to chit chat on social-based amenities like restaurants, pubs and music venues -things to keep younger people here.
It was these topics that made me think of what I, even as a newbie resident, would like to see on the Sunshine Coast.So, just for fun, I whipped up a "wish list."
The list is light-hearted, but with a dash of seriousness. I do urge you to read it with a sense of humour.
More pubs and restaurants - hello organic brewpub. An expansion of transit services - please note, I've had nothing but excellent service with transit here; it would just be nice to see service expanded Coast-wide. A water-taxi service between Gibsons, Roberts Creek and Sechelt. A jazzed up Molly's Lane and Gibsons Harbour. And, of course, free Coast-wide Wi-Fi.
Ideas are ideas and, serious or fun, they're meant to be shared. Of course, more affordable housing and educational opportunities made the list, but I will save those heartier matters for another column. Or maybe one day I will meet you at the organic brewpub to further discuss them.
