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How Andmar is making first-time homeownership possible—and redefining community living in Chilliwack.
Andmar is changing the game for first-time buyers and redefining what community living looks like in Chilliwack. Join host Jennifer-Lee, homebuyer Kate, and musician Danny Craig as they share real experiences navigating the housing market and discovering the opportunities Andmar offers—from modern, attainable homes to vibrant public spaces, coworking hubs, and cultural venues. With a focus on connection, lifestyle, and long-term growth, this episode reveals how Andmar is building more than homes—it’s building a movement for a new generation of homeowners.
Connect:
Connect:
Chapters:
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:43) - Meet the Guests: Kate and Danny Craig
- (03:52) - Why Chilliwack? Lifestyle and Landscape
- (05:04) - Buying at Andmar
- (06:47) - Homeownership Hopes and Affordability Fears
- (07:42) - Developer Trust and Community Confidence
- (10:43) - Culture and Creativity in the Community
- (12:23) - Walkable Living: A New Kind of Convenience
- (14:29) - What Mixed-Age Living Means for Community
- (16:32) - Advice for First-Time Homebuyers
- (18:46) - Hopes for the Next Generation
- (20:23) - Building Chilliwack’s Future
- (22:08) - What We Love About Chilliwack
- (24:15) - Conclusion
Creators and Guests
What is Behind the Design: Yaletown to Andmar?
What does it take to transform a neighbourhood into a vibrant, thriving community? In this series, we uncover the vision, strategy, and innovation behind Andmar, drawing inspiration from Yaletown’s evolution. Join experts, local leaders, and residents as we explore smart urban planning, sustainability, and the future of community living in Chilliwack.
Jennifer-Lee: Welcome to Behind the
Design, from Yaletown to Andmar.
This new podcast is gonna
follow the journey of the new
development Andmar, inspired by
Vancouver's Yaletown's history.
Andmar blends, sustainability,
innovation, and luxury.
We have so many conversations about how a
development like Andmar gets built, what
is lease land and what is it gonna be
like to live in this thriving community?
So let's get started.
Welcome back to Behind the
Design, Andmar's new Yaletown.
Really excited to have some
special guests on the podcast.
We have Kate who has actually bought
in Andmar, so I'm really excited to
talk to her about that whole process.
We got Danny Craig, who
lives in Chilliwack.
And is part of a band that
you might know of, Default.
We're gonna dive into that in a
second, but the topic we're talking
about today is very important.
Is the housing market something
that everybody likes to talk about?
I was reading a recent stat that
most young Canadians, only one
in five think that they're gonna
actually buy a home in Canada.
And so that is not a
very big number at all.
Um, to be honest, so I do rent, and
I am quite a little bit older than
Kate, but eventually I hope to own.
Um, Danny owns his home in Chilliwack.
But again, had to take
a road to get there.
He just didn't, uh, get a house
overnight, but wanted to have this
very important discussion in how
Andmar is kind of opening the door
for those first time home buyers.
But not only that, creating a community
and building on the community that
Kate and Danny already love to live in.
So let's get down to it.
I want you guys to tell us a
short little bio about yourself.
We'll start with Kate first.
Who are you?
Kate: Yeah.
I'm Kate, I am, um, have grown up in
Chilliwack and work in Chilliwack and,
um, you recently, Yep, just bought
my home in Andmar and, um, I'm super
excited and looking forward to moving in.
Um, yeah, spend a lot of time outside in,
um, Chilliwack and we have such amazing
recreation and, um, yeah, just really,
um, looking forward to, looking forward
to living in Andmar in the community.
Jennifer-Lee: There you go.
And do you work around
there and what do you do?
Kate: Yeah, so I am an education
assistant and I work for the
Chilliwack School District.
Jennifer-Lee: Nice.
Okay.
Danny, I, I kind of led in a
little bit, but take it away.
Tell us about you and why
you live in Chilliwack.
Danny Craig: Well, I am a, uh, a, a long
time musician and, uh, audio engineer.
Um, and a more recent, um, home
automation and, uh, security
and AV, uh, representative.
So I work with a company called
Graytek and, uh, the company's
actually based in Coquitlam and I
mostly work in Vancouver, yet I live
all the way out here in Chilliwack.
But that being said, um, yeah, I
moved my family out here six years
ago and, uh, we were, we were in,
uh, Cloverdale area before that.
Um, and we came out here really for
just to get a little more space.
And, um, after, I remember, after
driving out here the first time,
you know, I had to convince my wife
first, let's go look in Chilliwack.
Oh, Chilliwack.
That's pretty far.
Anyway, when we drove out here the
first time, I mean, we just fell in
love with the, the way the scenery,
like you're right in the, in the bowl
of the mountains here in, in Chilliwack,
like at the edge of the valley.
So it's, it's, the scenery is so, so
cool, so much better than anywhere else
in the lower mainland in terms of how,
just how close you are to it all, right?
So, and like Kate mentioned
too, lots of outdoor recreation,
lots of, lots of space.
It's great.
Jennifer-Lee: And it's funny because
when I first met Danny and found
out that he was part of a Default,
I said, do all people that were
in the music industry live out
there in Abbotsford and Chilliwack?
Because I know that like people from
Nickelback live out there, it's always
like, it just must be the place to be.
And again, it's probably 'cause it's that
picturesque postcard, you're away from the
city and you get to do all the fun things
and kind of be, be normal a little bit,
uh, putting the rockstar life on hold.
Danny Craig: Well, and you
can get a little more, a
little more land out this way.
It's hard to get 20 acres in
Vancouver, that's for sure.
Jennifer-Lee: Very true.
And you have something in
common with Kate, actually.
Your wife is also an EA
as well in that district.
Danny Craig: That's right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She loves, she really loves the,
the people she works with and the,
uh, you know, even she had her, did
her education out here too at the, I
believe it's the Sprott Shaw in, uh,
down, downtown, uh, Chilliwack there.
So, um, yeah, yeah, she's really happy,
uh, living out here and has made, made
a lot of great friends and so have all,
you know, I've got three kids as well.
I suppose I should have said that in
the, uh, intro, but I've got, uh, twin
boys that are 18 and a 13-year-old
daughter, and they've all really taken
well to the area and made a lot of new
great friends and yeah, it's been good.
Jennifer-Lee: Oh, awesome.
Okay.
Let's talk about some housing.
Uh, first, so Kate, you bought in Andmar.
Um, when is it supposed to complete?
That's always a question
everyone loves to ask.
Kate: Yeah.
So I think, um, it's finishing or
move in is the end of, um, June, um,
actually, no, sorry, July, um, of 2026.
So I have a little bit of time, but
it's really given me a chance to
kind of gather, I live at home with
my parents, so, um, get some things
of my own and do that over, um, do
it gradually over a period of time.
So, yeah.
Jennifer-Lee: And I did hear
from Tracey that your sister
also bought in Andmar as well.
Kate: Yeah, actually my
brother and my sister.
Yeah.
So we all, um, all bought in
Andmar, which is really exciting.
Um, and we're all first
time home buyers, so.
Jennifer-Lee: There you go.
Give us the dirt.
Are you gonna wanna live in the
same building as your siblings?
Kate: Yeah, we are all
on different floors.
So that'll give us some, some space,
but, um, it was just such a great
opportunity and we all really wanna
stay in Chilliwack, so, um, we, yeah, we
all, we're really excited to buy there.
Jennifer-Lee: I thought you were
gonna all be like, yeah, we bought
the three right beside each other.
We're all neighbors.
Kate: No.
Danny Craig: Gonna knock
down walls and stuff.
Kate: Yeah.
My brother's, um, he's definitely
happy that he's on a different
floor than his two sisters.
Jennifer-Lee: There you go.
And usually with the new buildings,
you have to Fob to each floor,
so that's a good way to keep your
siblings at a distance, right?
Kate: For sure.
Yeah.
Jennifer-Lee: Awesome.
And so when you guys were thinking
about this, did you ever feel that
maybe you would have to move outta
Chilliwack or move outta BC? Um,
or, or be a renter your whole life?
Which is not a bad thing either.
I know a lot of people that rent as well.
I just wanna put that out there.
I'm not putting renters down,
but did you ever think like
home ownership was outta reach?
Kate: Oh, for sure.
Yeah.
And definitely I didn't think it was a
possibility, um, at this point in my life.
Um, yeah, and had kind of been
looking at the market, but, um, yeah,
definitely thought that I would have
to move outside of Chilliwack for sure.
Um, which I, I was, I'm so happy
that I can stay in Chilliwack
'cause I really love my job and have
lots of friends here and family.
And so, um, yeah, I, I really was
considering, um, elsewhere for sure, due
to pricing and housing affordability.
Jennifer-Lee: So how did you find out
about Andmar and how did you feel like,
oh, that's a fit that's right for me?
Kate: Yeah.
So I'd heard, um, of other
developments that the developers
had done and, um, have a couple of
friends who live, um, in Sky Nest.
And, um, I think Inglewood as well.
And so, um, have heard really positive
feedback and then, um, that they were
gonna do another development that, um,
uh, wasn't a retirement development.
And so I looked into that as
soon as I saw advertising.
And, um, yeah, hearing positive feedback
really made me, um, confident in, in the
decision in, in the developers for sure.
Jennifer-Lee: Nice.
And hearing all this, Danny, uh, do you
feel hopeful for your children, because
I'm sure they're 18 right now, and maybe
they'll travel the world for a bit,
but are you always worried that maybe
it's not just necessarily Chilliwack
that they'll be able to own anywhere
or they'll stay with you forever?
Danny Craig: Well, the thought
has occurred to me, not just that
they would be with me forever.
I mean, we, you know, luckily we, we have
pretty good kids, so we don't mind if
they stick around, but, uh, but no, the
thought had occurred to me like, what if
they had to move out to, you know, Vernon
or Armstrong or something like that.
You know, something quite, quite
far away from the lower mainland.
Just, just, just to be
able to afford a place.
But, um, but yeah, that being said,
I mean, hopefully, yeah, hopefully
they're able to find something.
Like if they start building more with
that starter person in mind and, and
kinda keep that theme going with a few
more communities like, like this one,
um, yeah, that shines a little light
on the, on the situation for sure.
I mean, you gotta start somewhere, right?
You gotta get in with something and then
your equity can start growing and, you
know, you can get in the market, right?
Jennifer-Lee: And Kate, uh, just
clarify, is it a one bedroom?
Kate: I bought a studio
Jennifer-Lee: Or a studio.
Okay.
Kate: Yeah.
Yeah.
Jennifer-Lee: But that's still
a good foot in the door, like.
Kate: Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
Um, and then I know there, like Andmar
is doing other buildings and so I'm
like, oh, maybe further down the
road, other phases I could buy a one
bedroom, but just a studio to start.
Jennifer-Lee: But then again, that's
again, gets your foot in the door and then
you can always trade up from there too.
Kate: Yeah, absolutely.
Jennifer-Lee: But again, Andmar was
such a great step and, and I, I'm glad
that more developers are doing that.
And they saw that in Chilliwack,
like I know that's Mark's passion.
Uh, one of the co-founders of Andmar,
he really wants to have a place
where people can buy their first
home and trade up and eventually like
get to their next step of living.
And he also wants to make
it a really fun place.
Like Chilliwack's already a great
community and he wants to build onto it.
So another thing that they're having
besides get your foot in is a lot of
services that you would see somewhere
like a Yaletown in Vancouver.
They have coworking spaces.
I know Nature's Fare has already,
uh, come in as a grocery store.
They're gonna have
different chain restaurants.
They want to even maybe have breweries.
They wanna have spaces for artists
and musicians to get their start.
And Danny, I know like, you are a really
successful musician, and I know your
band also probably started off playing
pubs and clubs and things like that.
How important is it to have spaces that
welcome musicians in and inspire young
musicians to kinda learn their craft?
Danny Craig: Uh, yeah, I
would say hugely important.
Uh, you know, I, I came up in
the late nineties in the local,
the local scene anyway, right?
And, and there was, uh, you know, there
was easily four or five times as many
venues then as there are now, and I've
actually been saying it for a long time.
I feel like Vancouver's pushing its, you
know, artistic community kind of out.
Because no one can afford to live
there, so unless you're rich.
So, uh, it's gonna have
to end up somewhere.
So it's great to see, yeah, if, if
some venues are coming in, you know,
places that, uh, just that, musicians
can play at and art can be viewed at.
And, and, uh, it's obviously, you know,
hugely important for, for culture and
for, to have Canada represented, you
know, worldwide with, with art and music.
So yeah, it would be a, you know, it's
a shame that so many have disappeared.
So obviously with plans like this
to, to, to have support in there
for that, I think that's great.
Jennifer-Lee: I really
think it's important.
I think, you, like you said, artistic
communities are disappearing.
And I don't think it's just Vancouver,
it's in major cities because people
can't afford, because usually when
you're an artist, uh, unless you reach
a certain level, you're probably not
gonna be able to afford to stick around.
And it's really, art is a fabric of life.
Like, not to get like
really deep, but it is.
Danny Craig: But you're right.
Yeah.
Jennifer-Lee: You can't just
have buildings where people live
and no spaces to, to hang out.
And for you, Kate, you and your friends
probably have gone to Vancouver or
other neighboring cities, uh, like
Coquitlam or, you know, maybe a little
closer like Maple Ridge or even Mission
to, to go have, uh, food, drinks,
nightlife, to go to different kind
of type of coffee shops, um, movies.
Probably nice to now have a lot of
things where you live, where you could
just take the elevator down and, and
walk out the door and meet your friends.
Kate: Yeah, absolutely.
It's really exciting and I'm
really looking forward to it.
Even the shopping, I've heard of
different, um, stores in there, like
Lululemon, I've heard of Aritzia and, um,
yeah, different, different restaurants.
I think maybe the KEG or Cactus
Club, but it's super exciting.
Um, I have friends who aren't in
the housing market yet, but they're
talking about Andmar and how it's
gonna be so amazing for the community
and such a hub for Chilliwack, so.
Jennifer-Lee: Yeah, and you have
to get in the car and it's not just
necessarily going in the car to go
do nightlight stuff, it's also going
in the car to do other things like
grocery shopping or, or shopping,
like you mentioned, clothing stores.
It's nicer to have them within it
so you don't have to drive so far.
And, um, Kate, do you own a car?
Kate: I do own a car, but I'm definitely
looking forward to, you know, driving to
work, doing that short commute and then
yeah, being able to do my grocery shopping
or there's, I think a pharmacy going in.
And all those things, I think,
um, just the convenience of
that is gonna be amazing.
Jennifer-Lee: And Danny, I know you
do have a car because you do sales.
So you're gonna need one regardless.
But wouldn't it be nice that you could
go to a community like Andmar with the
kids and your wife for the day, go to
restaurants, walk around to the shops,
don't have to drive a far distance
into the next suburb to do that.
Danny Craig: It would only be
about a 20 minute walk home I
think, so, you know, I could,
Jennifer-Lee: You could go the
breweries when they get them in there.
Danny Craig: It's really quick to get the
kids to come pick me up, that's for sure.
Jennifer-Lee: There you go.
And then another thing I like
too is eventually they're gonna
put in other buildings that have
different ages in it as well.
And so their whole thing is and
it's something that we're talking
about all the time is mixing ages.
You know, everyone felt so
segregated before, but now I think
everyone's realizing that we need
everybody to build a community.
And during COVID when seniors were maybe
excluded a little bit because we were
worried about getting them sick, it really
hurt some of our community building.
And it's interesting because one of
the solves for the housing market,
I've heard in other places and around
the world news, is that some of these
senior centers, they're actually having
students that are going to university and
stuff, rent rooms there that are vacant.
Because in that way the seniors get
company and then the students learn from
them and they always interview these kids
that do it, and they said it's just such
a great lively thing and the, the seniors
love it because they have young energy.
So I think it's really nice that
they're putting different buildings
of different ages in there to
really have a mixed use community.
Kate: Yeah.
That's super awesome.
I, I know what you're talking about.
And, um, yeah, amazing.
Jennifer-Lee: Well, that, that's the thing
is a lot of people don't realize, and I
hear this all the time, and I've lived
in smaller towns to, to do my career, how
great small towns actually are to live in.
A lot of people at first are like, no, no.
But then they get in them and realize
like, they're really great because you do
have that sense of like, meeting anyone
and like talking on the street or like,
you know, borrowing a cup of sugar.
I don't think everyone does anymore.
But like, it's not as like, uh, you
know, you live in major cities and
those biggest complaint that I hear is
like, you don't know your neighbors.
I know my neighbors, but most
people don't know their neighbors.
So I think it, you know, I
tell everyone, I said, try it.
Go live in a small town.
Like I think you, you'll be better for it.
So I'm really excited that you guys
have found your place in Chilliwack.
Um, any advice that you think, Kate, that
you would give to, uh, young prospective
buyers looking to find their first place?
Kate: Uh, something that was really
helpful for me was I, um, booked an
appointment and went and spoke with, um,
Tracey, the development representative,
and she was just really able to
answer all of my questions and I had
lots being a first time home buyer
and, and it was just really helpful
to have that in-person conversation.
And I brought my list of questions and so
I would definitely suggest, suggest that.
And yeah.
Jennifer-Lee: And I think
that's a great thing is too,
is you had a list of questions.
A lot of people don't think about that.
It's like, have these questions no
matter what development you're going
to, especially if you buy presale.
Really make sure you know what
you're buying and how it works.
We've done other, um, conversations on
this podcast about what is lease land.
That's probably a question
that you had as well.
Make sure you listen to that episode if
you want to hear all about lease land.
But that's the thing is you have
to have the right people in your
corner when you buy something,
you can't just buy it willy-nilly.
And that being said, Danny, for young
people, I know it's been a while
since you bought, but for young people
thinking about getting into the market,
what advice would you have for them?
Danny Craig: Uh, yeah, I, I think
education is, is a big part of it.
Uh, when I, before I bought my first
house, I did something similar and,
uh, I attended a, a seminar that a,
was put on by a realtor, a mortgage
broker, a lawyer, and a home inspector.
And so the four of them got together and
put a, like a seminar on, and my wife and
I attended that and we hired everybody
from that seminar to, to help us out.
So yeah, I think education is huge.
And then of course, make sure
you're taking advantage of any, any
government, um, incentives, right?
Like, I don't know if they still do
the CMHC, the 5% for your first time.
You can have 5% down, I guess on
your first time home type thing.
Kate: Yeah.
Yeah.
And then, um, there was, oh, I can't
remember what it's called now, I
think First Home Buyers savings
account or something like that.
That's new.
So that's a really great
opportunity as well.
For sure.
Yeah.
Danny Craig: Yeah, I'd say take
advantage of all that if you can.
And, you know, save, save, save.
Jennifer-Lee: And I know your kids
aren't there yet, but what are your
hopes, uh, for your kids or other
people's kids thinking of getting
into the market in the future?
Danny Craig: Yeah.
Well, I mean, it's tough, hey,
you know, twenties is often
when you're having some fun.
So to really like, think about
responsibilities and stuff.
I mean, Kate, congratulations for, for
getting there because, you know, uh, yeah,
I mean I, I, I think there's a balance.
Of course, I'd want them to enjoy
themselves and have a good, uh, youth, but
if they can muster the discipline to be
able to put the kind of money aside and
the focus and education that they would
need to, to get into a place early and
work hard early to, to ideally be mortgage
free at a, at a younger age, then, you
know, I would encourage them, right?
Jennifer-Lee: But I was like, wow,
Kate's so put together compared to us.
Danny Craig: Well, I
think she probably is.
I think she probably is.
I don't know many people in their
twenties that are, that are doing that..
Jennifer-Lee: But everyone
should be kind to themselves too.
Maybe they're not gonna get there
in their twenties like Kate did.
Maybe they are not getting in
the twenties like Danny did.
But if you want it, it is attainable.
It just, maybe it's gonna take you
a little longer than someone else.
And there are some great
opportunities like Andmar out there.
I think sometimes we get down on
ourselves and we're like, oh, well I'm
this age and I don't own yet, or I don't
have this yet, or I'm not this way.
But, uh, you know, not to suck, I
think everything happens for a reason.
It happens at the right time for you.
Danny Craig: Yeah.
Everyone's priorities are a
little different too, right?
So, you know, you want, like you say,
stay true to your, to yourself and stick
to what's gonna serve you best, right?
Jennifer-Lee: Yeah.
So because this is a great development
that's, uh, going on here, what do
you hope for the future of Chilliwack?
Kate: Yeah, well I think just, yeah,
with the development like, uh, more
community space and area that can
really be the hub of Chilliwack,
I think definitely with them.
Well, the housing, but also, um, the
opportunity for like live bands and
farmer's markets, things like that
will really, um, bring, yeah, bring
huge, um, opportunities for community.
Yeah.
Jennifer-Lee: How do you think a
development like Andmar will help
shape the future of Chilliwack?
Kate: Um, I think a lot of like, having
opportunity for a lot of young people
to maybe move into Chilliwack, um, just
with more, the more affordable housing.
Um, uh, so I, yeah, I really think
that, um, maybe we'll see a influx
of, um, young people and, um, people
moving from out of town into Chilliwack.
Um, yeah.
Danny Craig: I think I
would agree with that.
I, I, because you, you as a young person
in Chilliwack, you can think about staying
here and starting your family here.
Whereas usually young people in
like Vancouver, they're just living
there temporarily until they wanna
start their family, then they're
gonna come out to Chilliwack.
So, you know, it's, it's, it's, yeah,
I think it would be a of great benefit
'cause people would've establish roots
early and uh, and yeah, ultimately build
their families here and, you know, just
that and make it a, a community after all.
And it is, it is one.
Jennifer-Lee: It's a community.
And maybe you can get the
band to play at Andmar.
You could be like the opening
like's the ribbon cutting.
Danny Craig: What's the budget?
That's the big question.
Jennifer-Lee: We'll talk
to Mark about that one.
One more thing before go.
What do you love about living
in the Chilliwack area?
Kate: Uh, for me, I think it's just
not having to compromise on like,
having great amenities and also
having like outdoor recreation.
I think it really is
the best of both worlds.
And then I can also drive into Vancouver
or the city if I need to, and it's,
you know, just a day trip away.
Um, yeah, it's really, um, yeah, not
having a compromise on having outdoor
space and then, um, yeah, amenities.
Jennifer-Lee: There we go.
That was a great answer.
Now poor Danny has to answer next.
No, you're not allowed to
take her answer either.
Danny Craig: Not allowed to agree.
Yeah, I know I, I, I, I do, I
think the same thing, but yeah.
I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll caveat to
that, um, I do feel like it's just
a little more chill in Chilliwack.
You know, I, I grew up in Langley and
even when I go back to Langley, it is
just so rammed there now that it's,
you know, you, you can't get anywhere.
It's just, it's, it's insane, right?
So I feel, I feel a relief
when I pass like the Sumas
area and get into Chilliwack.
I'm like, ah, I could breathe again.
So, so I think that's a big part of it.
And the scenery, as I mentioned
earlier, this, it, it, the
scenery is just different once
you get out past Abbotsford,
you know, into Chilliwack here.
You know, past to the point where you
can even see Mount Baker 'cause the
other mountains are too close, right?
You can't even see it from here.
So.
Jennifer-Lee: I think that's the thing
I'm taking away from this whole podcast
is it's more chill in Chilliwack.
Danny Craig: It's in the name.
It's in the name.
Jennifer-Lee: I've never heard
that before, but I'm sure it is.
Is that something that you guys say
all the time in Chilliwack or no?
Did you just make that up now?
Danny Craig: I, I don't, I don't know.
I wouldn't.
Kate: I've heard that before.
Yeah.
Danny Craig: There you go.
Good.
Jennifer-Lee: I never
thought, that seems good.
I feel like that should just
be the slogan for Chilliwack.
Chill in Chilliwack.
Love it.
Thank you guys so much
for coming on today.
Um, really appreciate, this was a fun
conversation and we'll see you next time.
Kate: Thank you.
Danny Craig: Thanks for having me.
Kate: Thank you.
Jennifer-Lee: Thank you for
joining us on Behind the
Design, from Yaletown to Andmar.
We've explored the history, innovation,
and sustainability that makes
Andmar more than just a community.
It's a place where life,
business, and connections thrive.
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Follow the podcast, rate it and leave
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Till next time.