I know the area well.. Ultar conservative city.. best bet is to get closer to Nelson b.c. The land is cheaper and a little more light haearted hard working people.. They remind of the way the world used to be.. Help out each other and never turn anyone in need down..
I have family that lived in Cranbrook and move to Nelson for that reason

At present, Nelson has everything one needs, except housing. What is available is expensive! Don't get me wrong, Nelson is a wonderful place (my Dad was born there), we shop there regularely' it's just expensive to live there.

I know my auntie's friend just bought land between Nelson and Castlegar..There was an old farmhouse on the property.
I think one just needs to keep their eyes open..
I would love to be out there..

There are still quite a few rural/ semi rural properties available out there.
As you say, just keep your eyes open.

Hey CanCricket, I go there often for work. It's a very nice little city once you get off the main highway. Lots of helpful working class people despite what a previous poster stated. The growing season doesn't lend itself to fruit like the Kootenay Lake/west Kootenays do but the trade off is the colder climate gives you sunnier winters that's great for solar (sunniest place in BC I believe). I'd definitely consider the Columbia valley for a homestead. The Jaffrey area about a half hour east of Cranbrook has always appealed to me. Good luck!

We have settled just outside of Creston close to Kootenay Lake, there are some good properties around and the climate is fantastic. Not much industry though.

The Creston Valley is one of those areas previously mentioned areas between Cranbrook and Nelson.

Hey RedBarn I’m in the Creston area too