Living in an Off-Grid Float Cabin Part 2 - Becoming Permanent Residents

Principal of Erwin Elementary School

As I mentioned in Part 1, our float cabin purchase was a spur of the moment decision. Later, however, some important details needed attention. In 2001, Wayne and I were working as educators in Southern California. I was a school administrator and Wayne a community college aeronautics professor. Consequently, the six month visitor time limit wasn't an issue.

Surrey Border Peace Arch

In 2005, we decided to take early retirement so we could enjoy cabin life for as long as possible. Soon after, we were "invited" at the Peach Arch border crossing to go inside to meet with a Canadian immigration official. We had to prove we would leave before our six months a year expired. After that memorable (not so pleasant) event, we decided it was time to see a Canadian immigration lawyer.

Landing 2008

We took the bus from Powell River to Vancouver to meet with a lawyer to begin the process. At the time, applications were backlogged. We were lucky ours only took two years. I remember the day we "landed" in February 2008 at the Peace Arch crossing between Blaine WA and Surrey BC as both scary and exciting. And even more exciting was when we became dual US and Canadian citizens in August 2018.

Citizenship ceremony 2018

I have to be honest, it was a big relief when we could cross the border both north and south with ease.  The big question I asked Wayne back in 2000 was, "Could you ever live in another country?" That was answered with a resounding yes. 

Our float cabin home with a floating garden and boats for transportation.

Now we can live in our off-grid float cabin whenever and as long as we want.  Southern California only had two seasons, summer and smoggy. The cabin has four distinct ones. We have spring with flowers blooming and birds singing, a shady porch and swimming hole for hot summer days, fall with trees changing colours, and winter with a woodstove to keep us warm. And we continue to live up the lake with trips south for travel and to soak up winter sun.

I invite you to come back for Part 3 to learn more about our experiences in float cabin living. -- Margy