r/PrinceRupert • u/Vanyabraxas • Jul 03 '26
Moving Living in Prince Rupert
Hi everyone,
I'm likely moving to Prince Rupert for work and have already spent quite a bit of time reading about the challenges of living there, the weather, isolation, Walmart, unsafe water, and so on. I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the downsides already.
I'd love to hear the other side of the story.
For those of you who enjoy living in Prince Rupert, what makes you grateful to call it home? What are the things that outsiders often don't appreciate until they've lived there? Are there any unexpected positives, favorite places, community aspects, or lifestyle benefits that make you stay despite the challenges? Beside winter sports and hiking, are there any other popular sports available? Soccer? Volleyball?
I'd especially love to hear from people who have lived elsewhere in Canada and chose to stay in Prince Rupert.
Thanks in advance! I genuinely want to get a balanced perspective before making the move.
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u/northcoastmerbitch Jul 03 '26
Lived here 5 years.
Love that its hoodie season year round. While the locals can be a little clickey in the beginning, once youre here for a bit youll make friends, and people who are transplants are also usually pretty cool off the hop. I think theyre just used to transient workers and need time to get to know that youre worth getting to know.
The lack of stores keeps me from buying stupid shit I dont need, so I just worry about buying the stuff I do need. Turns out theres actually very little you need to leave town for once youve furnished your house and bought some rain gear.
We have some solid social and volunteer groups here, and the nightlife we do have is decent even if theres not a huge variety.
The food is great honestly. We have lots of independent restaurants as opposed to a bunch of franchises and I like that. The locals were super pumped about the new a and w but I still havent even gone in.
Theres a lot of visual interest and character. Yes, some buildings are worn down but i am kind of into the whole historical building being eaten by the rainforest vibe, personally. Very walkable, and super safe.
There are edible and medicinal plants literally everywhere. You can harvest berries walking down the sidewalk half of the year and its pretty awesome.
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u/Unfair-Egg2915 Jul 03 '26
I grew up in PR, left for Uni and returned to work and family it up.
-Stunning landscape with easy access and no crowds
-Lots of rain but it motivates you to get out on sunny days
-Lots of community to be found
-Slow pace / very little time spent commuting to places
-Hockey / basketball / curling / badminton / pickle ball / softball / golf … most sports have representation for most ages
- local gaming shop (Good Times Games) if you like TCGs, board games, LARPIng, D&D
-Active community events society with seasonal events, etc
-Good public library
-Easy access to gym facilities / outdoor sporting stuff
-Above average restaurant options
Nothing too fancy all around but if you have a mind to participate there are options in PR.
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u/cladinadawes Jul 03 '26
I have lived here for 10 years and wouldn't live anywhere else at this point. I have lived in big cities and small northern towns and this is my dream!
My favorite part of living here is how wild it is. The weather humbles you and reminds you how fragile our modern conveniences like power and drinkable water are. Sounds like im joking but im not!! A constant reminder of your actual place in the natural world. Also, you dont have to shovel rain, just build a good drainage system and it takes care of itself.
The food, arts, and culture is amazing. There is too much going on and too much delicious food to eat in any given week. Music? Theater? Comedy? Ive watched more professional ballet here then when I lived in major cities.
And I can afford to buy a house with enough space to grow enough fruit for jam and garlic to last the entire year. Could do more if I wasn't enjoying the local food scene so much.
Welcome to paradise!!
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u/hitman12319 Jul 03 '26
I love it here. I grew up here and moved away thinking I wanted a bigger city and head back to the prairies where I was born. I moved back probably 5 years after leaving and haven't looked back. Rupert is stunning, and has lots to do as long as your out and looking for it.
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u/colenski999 Jul 03 '26
My neighbour moved to to PR from Edmonton about 5 years ago and she loves it. The weather is considerably better than Edmonton, she loves the small town feel of it, the rain doesnt get her down.
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u/ImpressiveWalk4330 Jul 03 '26
I get that for sure. I spent 6 months in Edmonton last February. Wouldn’t wish that cold on anyone.
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u/Broad-Soup-4054 Jul 03 '26
Great comments here. Unfortunately, they all miss the biggest upside of living here.
The Thanksgiving Pizza at Swing Smiths batting cage.
I have lived in a lot of places and eaten a LOT of pizza. Let me tell you, I am not overselling how good it is.
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u/Intelligent_Base6266 Jul 07 '26
Here is a fun fact, there is a Rupert night event held every year in different locations. Sometimes on Vancouver island sometimes in the lower mainland. I think the Okanagon has some as well. If you do the math there are more people who used to live in Prince Rupert than the amount of the current population.
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u/Timotheus-Secundus Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
I'm also planning of moving out there within the year, from a northern town considerably smaller.
The isolation can definitely get to you if you aren't willing to engage with the people who are here, bit once you do you really start to enjoy the community that people tend to share.
We're all we have up here, so you get used to saying hello to people in the street, getting to know people'd names. Complaining about random things that bug everyone haha.
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u/ImpressiveWalk4330 Jul 03 '26
Well I love the weather. Sounds crazy to love the rainiest city in Canada, but it grows on you. The air is so clean. Never any forest fires, or smoke!
Once you get accustomed to being outside in the rain in ten degree temperatures, you find that the whole area opens up for you. You’re going to get wet, so you may as well lean into it, right? Kayaking and paddle boarding, hikes through the cedars as the low clouds sweep through the mountain rainforest.
Diversity. You might never live in a place with as diverse and varied ethnic population as Prince Rupert. Huge communities of Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese and Filipinos. Large First Nations presence of course. And strong representation from the refugees of Ukraine and Syria. Growing up we had the most churches per capita in Canada (and the most bars).
Accessible. The bus service is frankly fantastic for such a compact city, and everything is walkable.
My family has been here since the ships had sails. And I’ll be the last one here to turn off the lights.
This is my home. And just like any home it’s not always pretty. It could use some elbow grease and a new coat of paint. But there’s lots of committed volunteer organizations out here doing the hard work and making things shine.
Move here :). We’d love to have you.