Thinking about a move to Quesnel.....Thoughts?

[Murder]

We are thinking about a change of scenery. My property on Vancouver Island has appreciated substantially and we could afford much more in Quesnel than we can here. Is Quesnel a nice place to live, does it lack anything? How is the ATV'ing (I'm a maniac for being in the bush on my 4 wheeler, i leave from the house now at least once a week)

What is the frest fire risk like? Is fishing on Dragon Lake any good, is there camping on the lake shore for big Rv's?

And of course, whats the hunting Like? Lots of bears?


You get the point. I'd love to hear anything you have to say

Cheers

[tigrr]

In Quesnel if it isn't nailed down it walks. 30 minutes out east or north not so bad. It is a mill town and kind of a young crowd. Prices fuel/groceries/goods are higher due to the mill town. Hunting is great after you put in the time to find game. Same with fishing. Atv trails everywhere. One atv trail goes all the way to Lac La Hache. I have never lived there but I have gold panned, hunted and fished around Quesnel for months.

[warnniklz]

My buddy Brad live out Bouchie Lake area, lots of wilderness access from there.

[Patman7]

I don’t think you could go wrong moving there. Dragon still has big rainbows, lots of other good lakes close by and tons of quading and hunting. My brother has been there for 25 years, not to many complaints.

[ruger416]

Up until a few years ago I could not understand how people could live in that town. I had only driven threw the town and never got off to see the out lying areas. Once you leave the highway it is totally different. I have made a few trips to see Andy the gunsmith. He lives just south of Dragon Lake. The area out towards his place is made up of large lots with beautiful homes. It looks like a great place to live. I live in Prince George and they get about 2 weeks more spring and fall. House are a little less than PG but very few on the market.

[savage10]

Have family there and spent a week there hunting in the fall. Really enjoyed it and could see myself moving there as well. Low cost of living and good access to hunting and fishing. Cant go wrong!

[XPEIer]

Quesnel does have everything you need,,, a small airport to connect to Vancouver, short run to PG for Costco, tons of hunting, camping and areas to explore. Fishing, you are not far from quality lakes, both summer and winter. I find it a nicer community than Williams Lake but both have the theft problems. Check out www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca for camping in the area.

XPEIER

[Harvest the Land]

We are thinking about a change of scenery. My property on Vancouver Island has appreciated substantially and we could afford much more in Quesnel than we can here. Is Quesnel a nice place to live, does it lack anything? How is the ATV'ing (I'm a maniac for being in the bush on my 4 wheeler, i leave from the house now at least once a week)

What is the frest fire risk like? Is fishing on Dragon Lake any good, is there camping on the lake shore for big Rv's?

And of course, whats the hunting Like? Lots of bears?


You get the point. I'd love to hear anything you have to say

Cheers

Yes LOTS of bears and some big Mulies. Giant rainbows. I was looking at a rental property there a few years ago on the west side of town on the slope and backed out of the deal after learning parts of that slope aren't stable (Abbott area I think). So just an fyi if you're looking at properties in town you might want to avoid that area. Was looking at a lot of those nice looking acreages in the Bouchie Lake area too. Prices have definitely gone up there like everywhere else). Always thought the folks were good hard working people.

And most importantly "Trucks Are Less in Quesnel!"

[HappyJack]

I know a few people that live a short distance from the downtown, they don't have theft problems, even on the west side. Quesnel has an awesome pizza place too, Red Tomato Pie. There is a commercial camp ground on Dragon Lake.

[1S1K]

I’m sure you’ve thought of this……but keep in mind the weather will be radically different than living on the island. Not sure if easy access to medical care is a consideration…..but there won’t be much in Quesnel other than family physicians…..and they may be hard to get in to see. Anything major you’ll need to go to PG.

[Drillbit]

If you want to atv from your house look at Bouchie lake area (west) or Kersley(south)

Hydraulic road used to be good too, but it washed out and it doesn't look like they're going to fix it anytime soon. Now the easiest way to get there is thru Kersley.

Put over 8000km on an atv one year. Lots of overnight trips out west staying in range cabins, logging camps or at Kluskus travelling the old wagon roads and seismic lines. Or heading along the Quesnel river or over Kangaroo mountain to Likely, Black creek, Beaver Valley, Keithly Creek, Yanks peak through the old mining trails. MUST pack a chainsaw on your atv.

Lots of bears in any direction. Come shoot a couple this spring and check out the area. Not enough people are shooting them any more. You can park your trailer in my yard if you want. I have an RV dump and a pole shed and shop for skinning.

Used to be a lot of wolves but I think that is slowly shifting. Seems like they killed off most of their food sources and have died off. I don't see near as many tracks as in the past and I'm starting to see the odd moose calf. (I'm no expert but I haven't shot a wolf in 2 winters now and used to get 1 or 2 a year. I am going by what I see and tracks I see while winter hunting). Fires might have shifted them away too tho

No real campsites on Dragon other than Legion Beach and Roberts Roost, those are more like trailer parks
Dragon is good fishing, lots of the local lakes are.

Jasper Croy at remax is the guy to call if you want a real estate agent.

[MRP]

The only thing Quesnel lacks is a BC ferry. But I don’t think you’ll miss it. You can be anywhere on the mainland and some of Alberta in 10ish hour drive. In a hour you can be in places you probably will not see another person for a week or two, so leave a note where you’re going.

[Jagermeister]

I lived there for 30 some years. Moved in 2006. Last place I owned and occupied was the last house in the city over on Hydraulic Road. Boat launch was about 150 yards from the driveway. I could quad out the back door, lots of area to explore. Northeast toward Ahbau, Swift River. Just pick a spot and head out. Bring extra gas.

[Jagermeister]

The roads that I found most intriguing were the old gold mining roads that are quite obscure. Never know what you will encounter.

[HappyJack]

If you want to atv from your house look at Bouchie lake area (west) or Kersley(south)

Hydraulic road used to be good too, but it washed out and it doesn't look like they're going to fix it anytime soon. Now the easiest way to get there is thru Kersley.

Put over 8000km on an atv one year. Lots of overnight trips out west staying in range cabins, logging camps or at Kluskus travelling the old wagon roads and seismic lines. Or heading along the Quesnel river or over Kangaroo mountain to Likely, Black creek, Beaver Valley, Keithly Creek, Yanks peak through the old mining trails. MUST pack a chainsaw on your atv.

Lots of bears in any direction. Come shoot a couple this spring and check out the area. Not enough people are shooting them any more. You can park your trailer in my yard if you want. I have an RV dump and a pole shed and shop for skinning.

Used to be a lot of wolves but I think that is slowly shifting. Seems like they killed off most of their food sources and have died off. I don't see near as many tracks as in the past and I'm starting to see the odd moose calf. (I'm no expert but I haven't shot a wolf in 2 winters now and used to get 1 or 2 a year. I am going by what I see and tracks I see while winter hunting). Fires might have shifted them away too tho

No real campsites on Dragon other than Legion Beach and Roberts Roost, those are more like trailer parks
Dragon is good fishing, lots of the local lakes are.

Jasper Croy at remax is the guy to call if you want a real estate agent.

Lots of wolf sign out the Honolulu road when I went out that way, I shoot every one I get a poke at.

[Drillbit]

Lots of wolf sign out the Honolulu road when I went out that way, I shoot every one I get a poke at.

Yep. That's where we used to get them.

Since it burned and there's no moose there, there hasn't been much for sign. They aren't plowing it anymore either.

We run one guy down the river on a sled and one down the road in the truck and used to push them to each other. Start right at the highway and go to the bridge at 31 and just try and stay beside each other. Made for some fun times!

Sending the sled around the dump road to come up the river to the truck worked pretty good too.

[HappyJack]

Yep. That's where we used to get them.

Since it burned and there's no moose there, there hasn't been much for sign. They aren't plowing it anymore either.

We run one guy down the river on a sled and one down the road in the truck and used to push them to each other. Start right at the highway and go to the bridge at 31 and just try and stay beside each other. Made for some fun times!

Sending the sled around the dump road to come up the river to the truck worked pretty good too.


There was moose sign in spots, some deer, saw a big grizz on one of the burnt hills and about 100 chickens, I was just out by myself scouting and checking out some of the local lakes.

[Murder]

Thanks for the info everyone. I've officially applied for my transfer at work and getting the house ready to sell. Mortgage free in moose and big deer country sounds pretty sweet in my 40s


Piper Super Cub with STOL next!

[HappyJack]

Thanks for the info everyone. I've officially applied for my transfer at work and getting the house ready to sell. Mortgage free in moose and big deer country sounds pretty sweet in my 40s


Piper Super Cub with STOL next!

Congrats!!

[Swamp mule]

So congrats in listing your house and moving to Quesnel. When looking to buy in Quesnel there are a couple things to consider. 1) Research the area on the west side of the Fraser as there is an active slippage and the city of Quesnel has on their city web page a list of maps showing the areas of concern. 2) watch where the water goes in the neighbourhood, like are you on a water shedding or receiving location, where does the water flow and is their a sump pump in the basement as that is sign that you may encounter water issues. If you want to be located out of town on a larger lot there is that and if you are adjacent to the Fraser there is a chance that the land will move towards the river. North of town in the rural area you may have lagoons instead of septic systems because of soil types (more clay or hard pan). South of town there is more gravelly soils. I am moved here in 2015 from Dawson Creek for work and has been great as i can access atleast 6 waterbodies and 3 river systems all within 30minutes of my residence. I can also access dragon lake within 1km from the house. However I do miss the peace hunting area but with that being said there are some opportunities here in quesnel and i can still get to the peace within 6hours. There are a multitude of opportunities here, you just have to scout for them. Enjoy the time and i might see you out on the hard water for trout or kokannee.


Thanks for the info everyone. I've officially applied for my transfer at work and getting the house ready to sell. Mortgage free in moose and big deer country sounds pretty sweet in my 40s


Piper Super Cub with STOL next!

[Linksman313]

Thanks for the info everyone. I've officially applied for my transfer at work and getting the house ready to sell. Mortgage free in moose and big deer country sounds pretty sweet in my 40s


Piper Super Cub with STOL next!
Got kids??

[Machinist]

I Moved from Maple Ridge to Prince George last June , should of done it 10 Years ago , PG is a great place

[kitnayakwa77]

Lived in Quesnel as a teenager and my folks still live there. Honestly, if I could convince my family I would consider moving back now. Quesnel has improved alot over the years with the city investing in downtown improvements, growth of small local independent businesses, etc, however a few things to keep in mind.
1) There is alot of petty crime fueled by drugs. Never leave valuables around unsecured. West Quesnel is the worst for this, but it happens all over.
2) Someone mentioned already, but be aware of slumps/slippage zones when looking at real estate. Lots of areas of geotechnical instability around in and around the river valleys.
3) Air quality - the pulp mills and deep valleys can cause air quality issues during certain weather events. Properties located on the higher ground above the river valleys often get it the worst.

Lots of cool area to explore in all seasons. The local ski hill (Troll Resort) is top notch and has a really cool vibe and great terrain. Decent hunting and fishing in any direction from town.

[Ubertuber]

Thanks for the info everyone. I've officially applied for my transfer at work and getting the house ready to sell. Mortgage free in moose and big deer country sounds pretty sweet in my 40s


Piper Super Cub with STOL next!

Lucky you.
We almost moved there to Kersley back in the 90's, but bailed at the last minute. Good people and great hunting.