Some people move to Kitimat for opportunity. Others discover it while searching for a more affordable or family-friendly home. And some—like lifelong resident Giuseppe Bravo—never needed a reason to leave.
Kitimat born-and-raised, Giuseppe is a local realtor, community volunteer, and outdoor enthusiast with deep, generational roots in the town. His grandfather emigrated from Italy to help build Alcan, and later opened a lumber yard, Emporium Builders Supplies, which is still run by the Bravo family today. Giuseppe himself worked there for 12 years before launching his real estate career in 2018.
After helping his family’s business for so many years, Giuseppe realized he could put his collective knowledge of working materials and all things Kitimat into helping others. “I went into real estate because I understand what goes into building a home—plus I love Kitimat, and enjoy bringing new people here,” says Giuseppe.
That decision has turned Giuseppe into one of Kitimat’s most passionate community ambassadors. Whether guiding newcomers through town or sending a thoughtful follow-up email, he makes people feel at home from day one.
“I love showing people around town,” he says. “There’s a lot more work here since LNG Canada started, and many people who I grew up with that left are now coming back.” Growing up in Kitimat, Giuseppe explains, the population tumbled after the 2008 economic downturn. “In those days, we hardly even had enough people for our own hockey team, we had to combine with Rupert!” says Giuseppe. “My graduating class was 40-50 people—but now there are many more. And these days our minor league hockey numbers have really been going up, especially since 2018.”
Despite its small size and remote location, Kitimat is growing again. New housing developments, small businesses, and investment from major industry players mean more jobs—and more reasons to stay than ever before.
Giuseppe’s pride in Kitimat is contagious. He remembers when it was quieter—but says the recent changes have been good for the town. “It’s a lot more diverse. People are moving from all over—Japan, Korea, Africa, Middle East.” And he’s especially excited about what this means for the town’s eating establishments: “I’m hoping that it spices up our food scene!”
But restaurants aside, Giuseppe says that Kitimat “really hasn’t changed too much. It’s still a clean, safe, loving community. People still don’t lock their doors. You can go for a walk at 11pm with your headphones on.”
Even Giuseppe’s real estate showings become guided tours of the town’s highlights and what makes Kitimat special. “I show them the residential areas, the golf course, the new bike park. We usually have lunch at Two Peaks, go to Kitamaat Village and stop in on the carving shop, and have little stops at Lakelse Lake, the Alcan beach, the little waterfall by Rio Tinto. Industry and nature are right next to each other here—that’s Kitimat in a nutshell. A guy I showed around who lives in the Lower Mainland but is originally from Korea said: ‘This place is crazy, it’s so beautiful here.’” Many of Giuseppe’s clients move to Kitimat for jobs with Rio Tinto or LNG, but many are also working from home or selling products online. “There’s lots of talented people here, and many opportunities,” says Giuseppe.
Nowadays, many of those who come also choose to stay. “The majority of the people I’ve shown around town have stayed. Lots of couples in their 40s and 50s, and also many younger people who are keen on starting a family,” says Giuseppe. “And many people commit to buying.”
When he’s not working, Giuseppe’s out enjoying and promoting another of Kitimat’s biggest assets—the great outdoors. He’s on the board of the Mount Elizabeth Cycling Association (MECA) as well as the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, and also loves hiking, snowboarding, hockey, and golf. “It’s five minutes to the biking trails, and fishing is a five-minute stroll. Everything’s so close,” says Giuseppe. “There’s no lineups, and most people have just a two-minute commute to work.” Plus, with the recent new addition of Minette Bay West Park, Kitimat finally has an ocean-front public recreational space.
Giuseppe also highlights Kitimat’s affordability. With cheaper mortgages and rent, Kitimatians like Giuseppe can use their extra disposable income on little luxuries, including travel “I can afford to go on vacation!” Giuseppe laughs. “And Vancouver is only 3 hours away. Whenever I fly into Terrace, I just love it. It makes coming home all the more special.”
When asked what he’d say to anyone thinking about moving to Kitimat, Giuseppe keeps it simple. “I don’t like doing a sales pitch, I don’t want to be pushy,” he says. “For most people, being here is enough to convince them. I just show them around.”
For more information on housing in Kitimat, the District’s recently published Housing Fact Sheet provides the most up to date information.
To contact Giuseppe and learn more about moving to Kitimat, visit his website.
WRITTEN BY:
Brandon Wirsz
