Look Who it Was Random video

We Escaped Vancouver — THIS Is What Small-Town Canada Feels Like! | New House Projects Begin

358 views · Published 4 February 2017 · 6:20 · Indexed 1 November 2026

Channel: Mike Martins · 2017 · People & Blogs

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“This is like small-town Canada, and I’m really happy to be here.”
— Mike Martins

YouTubers, Mike Martins here! I’m working away in the garage at the new house, sanding down the kitchen cabinet doors and getting everything ready for paint. The Ryobi tools are out, the cabinets are apart, and this is one of the first real renovation projects I’m tackling after making the move out of Vancouver.

But this video turned into something bigger than kitchen cabinets.

One of the biggest things I was worried about before moving was the neighborhood. What were the neighbors going to be like? Would people keep to themselves? Would we feel isolated?

Within days, I had my answer.

I’m outside shoveling snow and the neighbor comes over and introduces himself — his name is Mike too! Before long, more neighbors are outside talking. People are laughing, introducing themselves, telling stories and inviting me to go snowmobiling, fishing, tubing and boating.

I’m standing there thinking: I’ve only been here a few days!

After years in Vancouver where I could be outside filming and barely have anybody approach me, suddenly I'm in a neighborhood where people actually stop, talk and get to know each other.

And something else caught my attention: several of these people also came from Vancouver or the Lower Mainland. They told me they came out here and bought homes for around $200,000 rather than continuing to fight the cost of living back in the city.

Meanwhile, I’m getting this house ready for my family. The garage is going to become one of my projects — painted floors, better lighting, workbenches, pegboard for the tools and a proper workspace.

This is the beginning of a completely different chapter.

#mikemartins   #moving  #newhome  #homerenovation  #diy  #kitchenrenovation  #garagerenovation  #ryobi  #smalltownliving  #canada  #familyhome  #costofliving  #affordablehousing

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