Cumberland
Cumberland, BC Has Become the Cool Place to Be
A former mining town that almost became a ghost town is finding its way to the future by tapping into its gritty history, heritage charms and now-legendary reputation as a mountain-biking mecca.
Beer and pizza — if there were ever a marriage made in heaven, this is it. It’s late afternoon and mud-splattered mountain bikers are rolling up to Cumberland Brewing Company for a post-ride pint and food. It’s Cumberland lifestyle at its best, and like most entrepreneurs in this bustling Vancouver Island community.
Two decades ago, you could barely give away a Cumberland fixer-upper. Since the closing of the mines in 1966, the town — once home to one of B.C.’s biggest mining operations — had steadily seen its population drop and its charm fade. Comox Valley real estate agents were said to have sneered at the village, and they often refused to list its properties.
But the town has made a remarkable comeback. Today, Cumberland heritage homes fetch half a million or more and are as coveted as Courtenay’s tony Crown Isle, a golf-centred development where the lawns are manicured and the fire hydrants are painted gold.
Indeed, Vancouverites and other real-estate refugees are cashing out and arriving with pockets full of equity and aspirations of small-town living made ultra-vibrant by the town’s love of mountain biking, music, art and enough civic pride to fuel a city four times its size.
Here are some of the top attractions:
Cumberland Museum and Archives: This museum offers a fascinating look at Cumberland's coal-mining history, as well as the local First Nations culture and the town's early settlers.
Cumberland Brewing Company: This craft brewery offers a selection of delicious beers and ciders, as well as a cozy atmosphere to relax and enjoy a drink with friends.
No. 6 Mine Park: This park features a restored mining tunnel and other artifacts from Cumberland's coal-mining era, as well as a playground and picnic area.
Village Square: This public square is the heart of Cumberland, with a stage for live music, a playground, and plenty of seating to relax and people-watch.
Comox Lake: This nearby lake offers swimming, boating, and fishing, as well as hiking trails that wind through the surrounding forest.
Cumberland Forest: This network of trails is a popular destination for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
Waverley Hotel: This historic hotel is a popular spot for live music and other events, as well as a cozy place to stay if you're visiting Cumberland.
Overall, Cumberland is a great destination for anyone interested in history, outdoor recreation, or just relaxing in a charming small-town setting.
Testimonials
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Peter was very pleasant and easy to deal with. He also showed a lot of patience and made an effort to answer any questions we had. We felt very comfortable with him.
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- Herta Seiblod
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Peter made the whole process seamless and steered me through my property purchase in a very professional and efficient way. I would highly recommend Peter....
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- Steve Molloy
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Peter was professional yet very personable. He was always available to answer our questions. We enjoyed working with him and highly recommend him.
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- John Frisch
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Very responsive and was patient, respectful, and understanding of my elderly mother and all of her questions. He helped make the entire process less stressful, offering invaluable guidance in both selling our property and finding the perfect new home. Highly recommend his services!
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- Wade Mayer
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Working with Peter was an absolute dream! From start to finish, he brought an incredible level of professionalism, dedication, and care to every step of the process. Peter showed a lot of patience and expertise when working with our tenants to schedule showings — something that could have easily been stressful, but he handled it with such grace and respect for everyone’s time. His communication to all parties involved was very professional and clear, which made everything run smoothly and efficiently. We felt fully informed and supported the entire way. If you're looking for a realtor who truly goes above and beyond, Peter is the one. We couldn't be more grateful for his hard work and heart throughout the experience.
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- HF
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Incredible fast and friendly service Peter gave us. Thank you so much for arranging several extra visits for measuring up. He is very helpful and happy to make the process as easy as possible. Please...
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- Carol Christian
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Peter proved to be a very helpful, professional and knowledgeable agent when our company became desperate and needed to look for a new location to move too. He was very quick to let us know of any new listings that came up and even went above and beyond scoping out possibilities and approaching other agents for any leads that may be coming up. We will definitely recommend his services to others!!!
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- Gordon Adams
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Peter was an incredible fit for us as a real estate agent. We moved from Ontario, and having moved to BC from Ontario himself years ago, Peter's knowledge of the Comox Valley market and understanding what we were looking for in a provincial move was critical and made all the difference for our family. Peter has a friendly and easygoing manner and always made us feel empowered in our search. He was in constant communication with us and made the entire process from our first meeting to signing on the dotted line as stress-free and easy as possible. We would highly recommend Peter as a real estate agent and will absolutely use him again if and when we choose to move.
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- Sabrina and Dave Hall
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Peter is a great realtor, friendly, professional, flexible with his time. Was always available when I wanted to view a new listing. Once he figured out what my needs and wants were he was very helpful in my search for just the right place to call home. I highly recommend him to find your new home too.
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- Michelle Cote
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Peter stuck with us for over a year as we took our time finding our place near the ocean. He was always willing to answer any questions, including the great fishing spots in the area. Good experience all around.
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- Susan Duncan
