[Sylvanfan]

I lived in PG for 5 years from 1996 to 2001. The best thing I did was not buy any real estate there and get out when I did. Truth be told I should have jumped ship for Alberta two years earlier. I personally was not crazy about the city as I found it isolated and unexciting. But I must admit that the slow economy there at the time did allow for reasonably cheap living. There was also a good Mens Rec Hockey League, and Fastball league where I was able to get on teams. There is also some good mountain biking in the area as well as hunting, fishing and other bush like activities, and a couple reasonable ski hills near by.

I guess it depends on your personality and what you like. I found that the weather was similar to what Alberta is, and that it was an isolated place (ie drive 5 hours to Kamloops, 8-9 to Edmonton/Calgary or 10 to Vancouver although WestJet is there). It's also not a very pretty city as it's pretty rough, and pretty industrial. Personally I think I like where I currently live in St.Albert a lot better, and I like my hometown of Kamloops a lot more than I like St.Albert which would put PG a ways down on my list. But thats my list, and theres people who grew up that love it and either don't want to leave, or did leave and want to go back.

But from what I hear PG has good growth potential in terms of real estate these days because the house prices are low, the University of Northern BC is growing, and the forest industry is due to rebound. So if you go up there and you buy a house and it skyrockets in value, make sure to unload it when the market is high because it's a one horse town that will always be subject to the cylcles of the forest industry.