Featured Episode
Episode Summary
How Andmar is making first-time homeownership possible—and redefining community living in Chilliwack.
Episode Description
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.
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[00:00:00] 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.
[00:00:28] 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.
[00:01:43] Jennifer-Lee: I want you guys to tell us a short little bio about yourself. We'll start with Kate first. Who are you?
[00:01:48] 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.
[00:02:37] 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.
[00:03:52] 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?
[00:05:04] 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?
[00:05:17] 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.
[00:06:47] 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?
[00:07:06] Kate: Oh, for sure. Yeah. And definitely I didn't think it was a possibility, um, at this point in my life.
[00:07:42] 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?
[00:07:49] 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.
[00:10:43] Jennifer-Lee: 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?
[00:11:01] 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?
[00:12:23] Jennifer-Lee: 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.
[00:12:54] Kate: Yeah, absolutely. It's really exciting and I'm really looking forward to it.
[00:14:29] Jennifer-Lee: And then another thing I like too is eventually they're gonna put in other buildings that have different ages in it as well.
[00:16:32] Jennifer-Lee: Um, any advice that you think, Kate, that you would give to, uh, young prospective buyers looking to find their first place?
[00:16:41] 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.
[00:18:46] 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?
[00:18:57] Danny Craig: Yeah. Well, I mean, it's tough, hey, you know, twenties is often when you're having some fun.
[00:20:23] 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?
[00:20:32] 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.
[00:22:08] Jennifer-Lee: One more thing before go. What do you love about living in the Chilliwack area?
[00:22:16] Kate: Uh, for me, I think it's just not having to compromise on like, having great amenities and also having like outdoor recreation.
[00:22:51] Danny Craig: 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.
[00:24:12] Kate: Thank you.
[00:24:12] Danny Craig: Thanks for having me.
[00:24:15] 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. If you've been inspired by this podcast, we'd love your support. Follow the podcast, rate it and leave a review to help others discover what makes Andmar so special. Till next time.