The Forgotten City

Port Alberni can tickle your fancy.

• 
• By Nancy Smith
• Qualicum Beach REALTOR®
• Published: Jul 12th, 2020 at 9:25 pm

Thinking of hanging out in Port Alberni...? Yeah, some people are not so enthused, but depending on your lifestyle, Port Alberni is a busy hideaway, the center of the Island with prices many can afford. It is only a 35 minute drive from Parksville and Qualicum Beach, the road is a bit winding, and a little treacherous in the winter, but if you do not need to travel, the weather always gets better.

My husband and I popped over to Port Alberni, to do a little client business, and the weather was beautiful, sunny and refreshing. My husband popped a few blocks down to the Harbour Quay, bought a half dozen fresh baked donuts and sat on the pier, enjoying the view and the breeze. Many pleasure boats were on the water, some were fishermen, picking up fishing ice from a convenient fueling dock and topping off the tanks for a pleasant afternoon cruise.

Shopping for necessities is easy in Port Alberni, but a quick jaunt to Nanaimo or Courtenay is just over an hour's trip, is great for stocking up at Costco, or jump on the ferry to Vancouver from Nanaimo, or fly out of the Comox airport via Westjet, when travel restrictions permit.

I spent a couple of hours with my clients in their strata apartment building, with mountain views in the distance, but since they are on the first floor, the harbour wasn't quite visible. However, the Harbour Quay is within walking distance, as long as you can negotiate the steep climb back up to the main street.

I invite you to consider Port Alberni, because it offers so many features that appeal to retired and semi-retired recreational enthusiast or just enjoy the laid back lifestyle of this area.