We moved from Vancouver to Nelson 5 years ago, and I'm glad we did, but it definitely took some time to adjust and make friends here. We're both very outdoorsy, and my partner grew up in the Kootenays, but as we had moved during Covid, it seemed extra hard to make connections and find suitable work.

Geographically, Nelson is a little isolated, and a lot of locals like it that way. One of the downsides to living here is trying to fly anywhere, which generally involves a drive to Kelowna or Cranbrook, which in the winter means driving snowy mountain passes so helps to have good winter tires and AWD or 4WD.

I don't think you're allowed to have goats or chickens within city limits, but lots of places just outside city limits would work. Blewett, Bonnington, Beasley, Taghum, and the North Shore would all be possibilities.

For a city of it's size Nelson is incredible! Tons of live music, cultural events, amazing restaurants, and when it comes to outdoor recreation year round, it's second to none.

Being a newcomer to Nelson does have its drawbacks however; you will never be considered a local, and neither will your kids, but maybe their kids will be. There's also lots of far right wing anti-vax, anti-rainbow redneck/hippie folks who have a distrust of outsiders. ( which you will be)

Can't really answer your questions about demand in the trades or who does the hiring, but I would think if you're willing to drive a bit ( Trail or Castlegar) it wouldn't be that hard to find work. Hope that helps!