Looking for a Home in Elkford, BC - East Kootenays
by R. Borhi
Are you searching for a home or recreation property in Elkford, BC? If so, then here is a summary of some of the features of this East Kootenay location.
The District of Elkford is located within the Rocky Mountain range in southeast British Columbia. It is at the highest elevation for a community in Canada at a lofty 1,300 m above sea level. Highway 43 runs through Elkford, which is about 30km north of its junction with Highway 3.
Elkford is just a few hours drive from major US and Canadian cities such as Spokane, Calgary, and Edmonton. Vancouver and Seattle can be reached within a long day's drive. The closest international airports are in Cranbrook BC, and Calgary.
Elkford was founded in 1971 and was originally developped as a center for coal mining in the area. The current population of Elkford is under 3,000 residents.
Elkford calls itself the Wilderness Capital of British Columbia, owing to the majestic surroundings of the Rocky Mountains, forested hillsides, meadows in the alpine, and numerous rivers, lakes and streams. Wildlife in the area include deer, black bear, grizzly bear, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
There are ample opportunities for outdoor recreation in Elkford. Some of the activities you can take part in include:
- ATV trail riding in the summer, and snowmobiling in winter
- Cross country skiing on groomed trails, and downhill skiing at Wapiti Ski Hill
- Town facilities include a hockey arena, curling club, and six baseball diamonds
- Hiking in Elk Lakes Provincial Park (about 70km north of Elkford)
- Camping in Elkford Lion's Campground
- Fishing for trout in rivers, streams and lakes
- Golf at Mountain Meadows Golf Course
- Hiking and Mountain Biking on surrounding wilderness trails and roads
Homes and Real Estate in Elkford
There is a selection of older and newer homes to choose from in Elkford, with home availability and pricing dependent on how busy the local area economy is. You can choose from condos, mobiles, duplexes, or single family homes. You could also buy a lot and build your own home. In 2009, homes generally start in the $200,000 range and up.
It's always a smart idea to get a home inspection. Sometimes when competition heats up for a home, buyers waive the home inspection to get the deal done. If you can't afford a nasty surprise in the way of home repairs, then make sure to get an inspection.
