Photo: Capture with Melly
For our first Kitimat Story of 2025, we are featuring former Vancouver residents, Aaron Oakes, a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Kildala Elementary School, and his partner, Paige Griffiths, a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Kitimat Community Development Centre (KCDC). Paige and Aaron met in 2018 when they were both living in Vancouver, but both are from further afield—Paige was born in Winnipeg and later lived in the United States for some years, while Aaron grew up in a small town in Ontario.
Although Vancouver was home for them both when they first met, Aaron explains, “the cost of the city began getting to us”, with the lack of job security another big issue, adds Paige. “There were lots of part time, casual or maternity leave positions available for my profession in Vancouver, but nothing full time,” says Paige. Although Aaron had trained as a teacher in Ontario, while living in Vancouver he ended up working as a chef for over three years. Realizing that his chef work schedule kept him and Paige apart during their precious free time, the couple sought a more balanced life.
Meanwhile, Paige was nearing the end of a contract in Vancouver. And so when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, “we re-shifted our priorities”, says Paige. The couple began looking to escape the city—and that is when Paige found a job posting at Kitimat Community Development Centre. “We didn’t even know where Kitimat was!” says Paige, laughing. “But I applied for the job, and when I spoke with KCDC, we seemed to have similar perspectives.”
Photo: Jamie Fenn Photography
Telling only a few people about their plans, the couple took a spontaneous, mid-pandemic weekend trip north to Kitimat to check out the town and tour the KCDC facilities. To their surprise and delight, they found that Kitimat offered everything they were looking for. And although Aaron had no job lined up, they decided to take the chance. “I was looking to get back into teaching, and to do a job with more regular hours so I could spend more time with Paige and our dogs,” he says. Aaron and Paige moved to Kitimat in September of 2020.
Paige and Aaron say that in their first few months in town, they were bowled over by the hospitality of the locals. “My manager and her family really took us under their wing,” says Paige, “showing us all the cool things the town has to offer, especially canoeing and other outdoor activities.” The couple also found assistance in their first few months at the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, who helped them find a family doctor.
Fast forward to today, Aaron and Paige have built their dream life together. They’ve been able to purchase their own home, and now have three Australian Shepherd dogs. More recently, Aaron’s sister, who uses a wheelchair, has also moved to Kitimat from Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. She quickly made many friends in Kitimat, where she has felt welcomed and supported, with locals looking out for her and helping her navigate the challenges that come with using a wheelchair. Aaron’s sister lived with Aaron and Paige for a year before moving into a beautiful, brand-new assisted-living facility in Kitimat. “Things were able to line up quicker than down south,” says Paige.
Aaron teaches 4th and 5th grades at Kildala Elementary School. He enjoys the mental challenge of teaching while being able to practice hands-on in the profession he himself went to school for. “The days go by fast!” says Aaron.
At KCDC, Paige is currently focused on early intervention in her role as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She enjoys the autonomy of working at KCDC, the flexible work settings that include home, clinic, and library visits, and the strong work-life balance she has now compared to her life in Vancouver. “At KCDC, they don’t want you working 60 hours a week,” says Paige. “In the city it was the complete opposite.”
Both Paige and Aaron agree that Kitimat’s abundant nature is one of their favorite things about the town. “You can go on an amazing hike just five minutes from your door, not an hour away like in the city, ” says Aaron. The couple has also been learning more about living off the land—gardening, making sourdough and kombucha—and have noticed that nowadays they make much more food at home than they did before. Aaron says that canoeing is a highlight of the summer months for him, while in the fall and winter, he enjoys getting his hands dirty by creating pottery at Riverlodge Recreation Centre. With three kilns and eight wheels, the cost of using the pottery studio at the District-owned recreation centre is a fraction of what it costs compared to Vancouver, says Aaron. “The price for one night in a pottery studio in the city is the same cost for a whole year here.” Paige also has her own rainy days activity making macrame, with both selling their handmade wares at local craft fairs throughout the year.
For anyone contemplating a move to Kitimat, Paige and Aaron are full of encouragement. “It’s a great little town—very inclusive and welcoming. The people make Kitimat special, helping you reconnect with nature and realign your priorities,” says Paige. “People really need to just come and experience it!” says Aaron. “It has such beautiful views, like North Vancouver without the buildings. You can really feel the seasons, which makes you feel like you’re part of something much bigger than just yourself.”
For Aaron and Paige, Kitimat is living proof that trusting your instincts and taking a plunge can result in the life you’re always dreamed of. “It can be scary to move when you don’t know anyone, but people here really want to help,” says Aaron. “We love our life here!” says Paige, “and I can’t believe it’s going on five years since we moved from the big city.”
WRITTEN BY:
Brandon Wirsz
