Cariboo Houses For Sale & MLS Real Estate Listings
Welcome to the Cariboo! Below you will find the newest homes for sale and real estate in Cariboo, BC. If you would like more information on any of these Cariboo real estate listings, simply click on the property, register for a free account, and you’ll have access to the full details. From there you can click Schedule a Tour to request more information from our Loyal Homes Client Care Coordinators or schedule a viewing. Our Client Care Coordinators will be happy to provide you with property disclosure statements, past sales history, comparable properties which have recently sold nearby, and more, so please don’t hesitate to ask for help!
About Cariboo
The Cariboo region of British Columbia is one of the more sparsely populated parts of the province. Found in the central interior of British Columbia, it has a population of around 60,000 people—most of them situated in the communities of Williams Lake, Quesnel, 100 Mile House, Bella Coola, Cache Creek, and Lillooet. There are also several rural, unincorporated municipalities that offer a truly rustic style of living in BC’s interior.
BC’s Cariboo region is home to a great diversity of landscapes waiting to be explored. You’ll find beautiful lakes, roaring rivers, snowy mountains, and rolling hills, all of them off the beaten path and beckoning towards adventure. The area has a rich history, and the culture of the Secwepemc Nation is celebrated throughout the region. In the mid-1800s, the Cariboo region was the site of a gold rush, and sites like Barkerville share the history of this region.
While the Cariboo area is largely associated with its wilderness, it punches above its weight when it comes to cultural attractions. There’s the yearly Williams Lake Stampede which gives visitors a taste of the cowboy culture that’s popular in the area. In Quesnel, the Billy Barker Days are another way of engaging with the history of the Cariboo Gold Rush. Meanwhile, the yearly ArtWells music festival features up-and-coming and established local musicians.
The main economic drivers in the Cariboo region are ranching, agriculture, and farming. Fishing and hunting are popular—both recreational and commercial—and there are jobs in the energy, transportation, and mining sectors. Because of the abundant opportunities for outdoor exploration, nature tourism is also becoming increasingly popular in the area.
Cariboo Weather
The Cariboo region is large and features several different microclimates, but generally, the area has relatively mild winters by Canadian standards. The mild winter weather conditions in the Cariboo region—compared to areas further to the east and the north—are attributable to warm marine airflows from the Pacific Ocean, and the protection nearby mountain ranges provide from arctic winds.
Quesnel—located in the northern section of the Cariboo region—has a humid continental climate. That means there are four distinct seasons, with warm but not hot summers and cold but not frigid winters. Average temperatures in the summer months in Quesnel tend to fall in the mid-teens, with high temperatures tending to land in the low twenties. Meanwhile, average temperatures are often right around freezing in the winter months, while daily lows fall in the negative single digits.
Further south in the Cariboo region—in communities like 100 Mile House—temperatures are similar in the summer months but can reach lower lows in the winter. Average winter days in 100 Mile House can hit the negative double digits. However, precipitation is relatively rare because of the rain shadow of the Coastal Mountains, leading to plenty of clear, sunny winter days.
Cariboo Real Estate
The Cariboo region is one of the most unique and beautiful areas of British Columbia and presents plenty of exciting real estate investment opportunities. The region is relatively remote, and you’ll find some of the most affordable real estate anywhere in the province. As teleworking grows in popularity, real estate investors are gravitating toward buying homes in areas like the Cariboo region, where it’s possible to live amidst serene nature while working from home.
Because of the growing awareness about the beautiful landscapes and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in the Cariboo region, the area has also seen increased interest as a destination for vacation properties. For those looking to build their dream property, undeveloped lots in Cariboo communities can often be found at reasonable prices compared to British Columbia’s competitive urban areas.
As the second-largest city in the Cariboo region, Williams Lake offers some of the most diversity in real estate opportunities. In the South Lakeside neighbourhood of Williams Lake, plenty of affordable small homes could be attractive to real estate investors first looking to enter the market. You’ll also find large family homes built in the 1960s and 1970s. Often with upwards of four bedrooms and situated on large lots, these homes could be a good fit for growing families. An added benefit of properties in South Lakeside is that they often offer lake views.
Downtown Williams Lake presents attractive commercial real estate investment opportunities, while large family homes typically built between the 1960s and 1980s can be found close to Downtown. These properties often benefit from finished basements, offering the option for mortgage-helper rental suites. Other Williams Lake communities that provide excellent waterfront properties include Felker Lake and Chimney Lake.
The largest population centre in the Cariboo region is Quesnel, and this mid-sized city offers the most amenities and economic opportunities you’ll find in the region. You’re likely to find a range of real estate investment opportunities in Quesnel—from large family homes in established parts of town, rural farmhouses on large acreage, lakefront vacation homes on Dragon Lake, and compact units, including condos and townhouses. Real estate prices in Quesnel are truly affordable. To encourage growth and investment in the area, the city offers resources to those considering a real estate investment in the area.
Another appealing community in the area is 100 Mile House. 100 Mile House is conveniently situated along BC Highway 97, and the drive to Kamloops is only around two hours away. It’s around four hours north to Prince George and approximately five hours south to Vancouver—making it perhaps the best-connected community in the Cariboo region. Real estate investment opportunities in 100 Mile House come in the form of beautiful lakefront homes that could make excellent vacation properties, as well as sizeable rural acreage and rustic cabins slightly outside the town, offering unbelievable privacy and seclusion.
Things to Do in Cariboo
Stroll Across Quesnel’s Foot Bridge
Plenty of fun activities can be found in each of the unique communities of the Cariboo region. Quesnel is home to the world’s largest wood truss walking bridge. Part of Quesnel’s Riverfront Trail, Quesnel’s Historic Fraser River Foot Bridge was first built in 1929. Informational placards will fill you in on the bridge’s history as you walk just a few feet over the mighty Fraser River. The bridge comes alive at night, often lit up with festively coloured lighting.
Take a Trip Through Time in Barkerville
Barkerville is likely the most recognizable symbol of the Cariboo region. Barkerville was at one time the largest city in the region, as the legendary gold strike in the 1860s is said to have helped build the entire province. Today, Barkerville is home to more than a hundred preserved heritage buildings, and it’s a wonderful place to slip into the past.
Enjoy the Pristine Provincial Parks
The Cariboo region remains underrated as a destination for sightseeing and outdoor recreation in British Columbia. There are plenty of vast provincial parks to explore where you can find your own bit of unspoiled paradise. One impressive park near Quesnel is Pinnacles Provincial Park. It offers excellent sightseeing and wildlife spotting opportunities and a lookout point from which you can observe the columns of rock formations the park is named after.
