Hands down, the most common question I’m asked by people visiting Mayne Island is “how do you like living here?”  I think it’s a great question, and I always try to offer a balanced response.  The truth is that living year round on an island definitely has it’s ups and has a few downs.

Farmer's Market Preview on May Day

It’s Small, Everybody Knows (practically) Everybody Else

Depending on how you think about it, you can put that one in the “ups” column, or in the “downs” column.  Sure, there’s a raging gossip mill, and you sacrifice a little in terms of privacy, but for me that’s what building relationships with people is really all about.  If you’re going to make friends, you have to open up a bit, and let people into your life.  Gossip can be annoying, especially when it’s wrong.  Luckily, despite only having a population of about a thousand people, Mayne is diverse enough that if a nasty rumour about something/someone starts, generally the entire population doesn’t buy into it.  I’ve only been here a couple of years, but I can’t think of any examples of anyone being ostracized over anything.

The major bonus to being a small community is that I have no trouble letting my kids (3 and 5) play in the yard unsupervised.  We set a few ground rules about where they can and can’t go by themselves, but I really don’t have to worry about somebody kidnapping them.  Sure, there’s still that 1% chance that some lunatic will decide to vacation here.

Amenities

We’ve got two grocery stores, one gas station, four restaurants, a library that’s open two days a week (?) and a whole lot of hiking trails and beaches.  We don’t have a movie theatre, a swimming pool (but there is the ocean), or a place where you can buy milk if it’s after 7PM.  The happening social scene takes place at peoples’ houses, not at nightclubs or other after-hours spots.  Feel like ordering pizza or Chinese food?  You’re out of luck.

Edith Point, slightly off the trails

Pretty much everyone grows some of their own food, and it’s really easy to find fresh produce (not necessarily at the aforementioned grocery stores though).  Because there is no competition amongst businesses, some take advantage; expect to pay 20 cents more per litre of gas if you’re filling up on Mayne than in Victoria (we rarely buy gas here).

With that in mind, there are two major cities just over an hour away by boat.  If you can’t get it on Mayne, you’ll be sure to be able to find it in either Victoria or in Vancouver.

The Ferries

Hands down, the most frustrating thing about living on Mayne Island is the ferry system.  They are over-priced, and the schedules cater mainly to tourists, not residents.  For example, the last boat to leave Victoria most days is at 7:00 PM.  You end up planning your day around the ferry schedule, timing things perfectly to that you can run from place to place and still make it back home.  Otherwise your quick day trip over to Victoria turns into a rather expensive overnight at a hotel (especially in the summer).  In a sense, living on Mayne Island can be like living with really strict parents: if you’re not home by curfew, you might find yourself locked out for the night.

Campbell Bay early morning

Isolation/Loneliness

I get asked a lot if it gets lonely, especially in the winter.  I can’t quite figure this one out though, there are a thousand full time residents here.  I’ve never maintained a pool of a thousand friends in my entire life.  Assuming that I couldn’t get along with 80% of the people that live here because of personality conflicts (I’m just picking random numbers), there would still be 200 potential friends that live within 10 minutes of me.  It doesn’t get lonely but it’s far more peaceful.

It’s probably no surprise that some full time residents detest tourists.  I’m not one of them.  Tourists bring a different feeling to the island, and offer a different perspective.  Sure, there are some that are completely disrespectful of our home; they speed around the island, litter and complain loudly that there’s nothing to do, but I think most people have a pretty good idea of what Mayne Island is about before they visit.

I love living here, and I think that the benefits really outweigh the drawbacks.  I’ve always been fond of small town living, and both my wife and I agree that Mayne has been the most welcoming place we’ve ever lived.  It’s been incredibly rewarding to be welcomed into the community, and to make our life here.

Tags | gulf islands, living, year round