Fort St. John, BC is more than just a place to live—it’s a community where people are deeply connected and look out for one another. This town provides the perfect balance of career opportunites and a slower, more fulfilling pace of life.
To live here means embracing a thriving outdoor lifestyle, a family-friendly environment, and being at the hub of economic growth. Life slows down here, allowing you to relax and embrace a true work-life balance.
Many people can attest to the great lifestyle Fort St. John has to offer, such as Sonya Wiebe, who works as a Safety Manager at Epscan, and Norton Hunt, who grew up in Fort St. John.
“Fort Saint John is a big deal because Fort Saint John takes care of its own. When the community rallies, the community rallies hard, together. There’s a lot of local pride and being part of that.”
— Sonya Wiebe OSHP, Safety Manager
“Fort Saint John has things that a lot of places don’t…the Child Development Center is probably one of the best in the province, thanks to the support from local companies like Epscan and others.”
— Norton Hunt, Former Maintenance Coordinator
Career Growth and Learning
Fort St. John offers a high quality of life, blending career opportunities with the best of northern living. The town’s mix of economic stability and outdoor adventures makes it an attractive place for both young professionals and families.
This city specializes in industries such as oil, gas, and renewable energy, which provide stable, high-paying jobs. Companies like Epscan are big investors in the training and development of employees to help ensure they have prosperous careers. The opportunities Sonya found here have allowed her to build not just a career, but a fulfilling life in a tight-knit community with her family.
“They believe in the excellence of their future in training. Fort Saint John is the place where you can make the money, have the life, and build the dreams that you want to live in.”
— Sonya Wiebe OSHP, Safety Manager
Sonya’s journey to Fort St. John highlights how this town fosters both career growth and personal well-being. After moving here and joining Epscan, she was able to transition into a management role with strong support from her team.
“It’s really a place where you choose to be. It’s not a place where you have to be, and nobody comes to work in the morning and has to be here. Everybody chooses to be here, and it’s not something that you see often.”
— Sonya Wiebe OSHP, Safety Manager
The city has also invested in other areas such as education and infrastructure, tailoring to the needs of growing families, with several elementary and secondary schools to choose from. For those looking to build their career, there are plenty of internships offered, or young adults can go to Northern Lights College.
Fort St. John is often associated with oil and gas, but it offers a variety of career paths for those with prior education in other fields. Beyond energy, there are opportunities in construction, renewable energy, healthcare, and skilled trades like welding and electrical work.
“Epscan really helped build my career. They pushed me just the right amount to help me grow, but I always had support if I needed it.”
— Norton Hunt, Former Maintenance Coordinator
Epscan supports this diversification by offering roles in electrical and instrumentation trades, ensuring that people from different educational backgrounds can build meaningful careers.
Adjusting to Northern Life
While moving to a northern town like Fort St. John can be an adjustment, many people who come from larger cities end up staying because of the town’s unique quality of life.
Norton, who grew up in Fort St. John, has deep roots in the community and values the close-knit feel the town offers. For him, Fort St. John is more than just a place to live—it’s home. He loves how the community looks out for one another, fostering a sense of belonging that’s hard to find in larger cities. It’s this sense of camaraderie and mutual support that has kept Norton connected to the town throughout his life and career.
“A lot of people come to Fort Saint John thinking they’ll stay for a year, but they realize the community has so much to offer. Many end up staying long-term because of the quality of life.”
— Norton Hunt, Former Maintenance Coordinator
For families, Fort St. John offers affordable living and desirable neighbourhoods such as Garrison Landing and Energy Park, which feature modern homes and community amenities. There is no shortage of activities and things to do.
Fort St. John offers outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and fishing, with proximity to scenic areas such as Beatton Provincial Park and Charlie Lake Provincial Park, which are perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Winters can be cold, but Fort St. John thrives hosting various community events to keep the communities’ spirit alive.
Fort St. John offers unique winter experiences like the High on Ice Winter Festival. This annual event is a community highlight, where families and visitors can enjoy ice carving competitions, snow sculptures, and outdoor skating. The festival brings together locals and tourists to celebrate the beauty of winter, featuring events like sleigh rides and ice fishing, making it an action-packed weekend for everyone.
In addition to High on Ice, the Santa Claus Parade is another beloved winter tradition in Fort St. John. Every December, the downtown streets come alive with brightly decorated floats and holiday spirit. The parade culminates in the lighting of the community Christmas tree, creating a magical atmosphere that brings families and friends together. Following the parade, locals often gather for hot drinks and festive activities, making this event a cherished start to the holiday season.
Why move to Fort St. John?
Living in Fort St. John isn’t about being another face in a large city crowd, but about joining a community where you can truly live and thrive. It’s ideal for families seeking a safe, welcoming environment where their children can grow up with a strong sense of community and belonging.
For young professionals, Fort St. John offers a unique balance—plenty of opportunities to grow your career, while enjoying a more affordable cost of living. With lower housing costs compared to larger cities, you’ll have more freedom to explore life outside of work—whether that’s pursuing hobbies, outdoor adventures, or simply enjoying more downtime.
Here, you’re not just getting by—you’re building a life surrounded by people who look out for one another.
Looking to join a community and build a career in Fort St. John?
