This resourceful article by Nicole Wray highlights the best of the kootenays and why it's such a desirable place to live! She highlights all the small towns, hot springs and amazing lifestyles this region has to offer. Maybe I am biased since it's my hometown (i'm definitely biased), but I can vouch that Nelson is one of the top places to live in BC. A common opinion here is that Victoria is just a big Nelson, so that's probably why I like it so much here too.
https://www.realtor.ca/blog/the-kootenays-british-columbia-the-best-of-canadas-west/24875/1364
