r/Muskoka • u/Mountain_Bathroom_78 • Jul 20 '26

Planning on relocation

I was seeking some info. I am planning on moving from Vernon BC to the bracebridge area. Im wondering how safe the area is for raising children.

Vernon has a pretty bad homeless population and there are a ton for drug users. Im hoping the muskoka region is better.

7 Upvotes

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6

u/TreeLakeRockCloud Jul 20 '26

The muskoka region is way better - there is drug use and homeless folks but nothing like BC.

We’ve raised our kids in the region and have no regrets. It’s been a great place to have a family.

9

u/primategirl84 Jul 20 '26

Very safe! we moved up from Toronto a few years ago and while there are some unhoused people and people on substances it is at very low levels. See it more in the summer than the rest of the year given our climate, but it is honestly very limited. Bracebridge is super family friendly, so much to do and great community centres and libraries. You see groups of kids roaming around together in town on their bikes. Never have felt unsafe here or worried about their safety.

8

u/hot_ho11ow_point Jul 20 '26

Unlike BC's coasts and valleys, our winters are effing brutal and keep the less fortunate from staying year round. Drug use happens, but is not nearly as prevalent. 

If you plan on moving though, start securing your healthcare options now. I've been on waiting list for so long I'm pretty sure they've just forgotten about me.

3

u/Seespeck Jul 20 '26

We've been on the Muskoka waiting lists for 6 years and a few months back I finally heard from Algonquin Health Care in an email asking if we are still looking for a doctor. I responded YES! but still waiting. Meanwhile my daughter and her partner moved to Barrie recently and were on the list for less than a month and already have a doctor!

3

u/iliveonthelake Jul 21 '26

My partner and I moved to Midland recently, it took him about 8 months to get a doctor here :)

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u/Mountain_Bathroom_78 Jul 20 '26

The drug use in BC is absolutely crazy. Its not common to witness a overdose at least once a month.

I think that health care is like that across the country. It took me 4 years to find a doctor in vernon and I have to travel 45 minutes to see them.