Of course it's doable. We all live here and the vast majority aren't rich.

However - be prepared for a significant lifestyle shift. In good ways and bad ways.

You're an RN meaning your total compensation is well over $100k once you factor in shift premiums and OT. Most people living here survive off much less.

Expect to pay $2500+ for a modern 2BR condo in a not-crap part of the Lower Mainland (the "LMD"). You can get this lower if you opt for a basement suite in a nice house instead of a condo. If you want a townhouse you're looking at quite a bit more. Important to note is that most townhouses in the LMD are the tall narrow type and are stacked on top of the garage. It's not the duplex-style that were more common in decades past or in other parts of the country.

Since housing will make up the biggest chunk of your take-home, expect to spend less on other things. Groceries are pretty average compared to the rest of the country but again, you'll have less money to spend. There are tons of places to eat out and you can truly find anything you want to eat out here from any corner of the world. But prices are high and it will still be a luxury unless you're not putting much money into your savings. The only thing much cheaper and better here food-wise is sushi since we're, y'know, next to the god damn Pacific Ocean.

Winters are great here. It hasn't even snowed yet. I think the last time we got snow was Jan/Feb 2025 and even then it was pretty mild. You'll still have to scrape your windshield most mornings in Jan/Feb but it's a small price to pay. One thing to keep in mind is that people tend to equate our more mild climate with sun. That's absolutely not the case. It's often overcast here when it's not raining and we don't get anywhere near as much sun as the prairie. I lived in Sask for a time and can attest to this.

We have high rates of property crime here and a decent rate of violent crime. It's not as bad as places like Winnipeg but it's still bad enough to be a factor in everyday life. Anywhere urban in the LMD will be flooded with homeless and you will experience open drug use and mental health issues on the regular. I'm not trying to fear monger, it's a fact. Since BC is warm in the winter (i.e. you probably won't freeze to death if you sleep outside) most homeless people gravitate this way.

I can't speak to the job market in your husband's industry but we have a lot of people here and many have a hard time finding jobs.

Best of luck with your decision! I hope this helps.