For nearly four decades, Bill and Edwina have called Port Alberni home. They moved to the city in 1986 and quickly fell in love with its natural beauty, strong sense of community, and relaxed way of life. Over the years, they built a life filled with hobbies, friendships and meaningful contributions to their neighbourhood.
Bill, a retired Electrical & Instrumentation Superintendent, kept himself busy with woodworking, furniture-making and even running a free home repair service to help others in town. Meanwhile, Edwina enjoyed maintaining their home and garden, ensuring their yard remained pristine year-round. For them, Port Alberni was not just a place to live, it was the perfect place to grow old together.
But as the years passed, managing their home became more challenging. The upkeep of the house and yard, once a source of pride, began to feel overwhelming. They knew it was time to look for a retirement community that would offer convenience, comfort and the same warm sense of home they had always known in Port Alberni.
Searching for the right fit
Bill and Edwina were determined to stay in Port Alberni, but their initial search for a senior living community in the area left them disappointed. Most of the available options had long waitlists, often over a year, and the accommodations were not what they had hoped for. Many were single rooms with shared washrooms, lacking the space and privacy they valued.
Expanding their search, they looked into retirement communities in nearby cities like Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, and Courtenay. However, they found that the costs were significantly higher than they expected, with some residences charging 30 to 40 percent more than they were comfortable paying. The thought of leaving Port Alberni, where they had built their lives and formed so many connections, was not something they wanted to consider.
Then, almost by accident, they came across Timberline at North Park, a new master-planned seniors’ community in Port Alberni. Curious, they reached out to learn more and quickly realized that this could be the perfect fit for them.
A community designed for independent seniors
Timberline at North Park stood out immediately. Unlike other senior living options they had explored, Timberline was designed to provide independent seniors with a spacious, comfortable, and well-planned living environment. The residence offered a range of suite options, including bachelor, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts. Bill and Edwina chose a two-bedroom suite, as it provided them with an extra bathroom and a space for visiting family.
One of the first things that struck them about Timberline was how immaculate the entire facility was. Every detail, inside and out, had been carefully considered. The landscaping was beautiful, with walking trails winding through the grounds, making it easy to enjoy the outdoors. Additionally, the location was ideal, just minutes from grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, and other essential services.
Affordability and convenience
Beyond the beauty and thoughtful design, Timberline also offered something that many other communities could not: affordability. Bill and Edwina were pleasantly surprised to find that the cost of living at Timberline was significantly lower than the other residences they had looked at, without sacrificing quality. Their monthly rent covered nearly everything except their personal phone, making budgeting simple and predictable.
The transition to Timberline also provided them with a newfound sense of ease. No longer did they have to worry about home maintenance, yard work, or unexpected repairs. Instead, they could focus on enjoying their retirement and embracing new experiences.
Exceptional dining and personalized experience
Another major factor in their decision was the dining experience at Timberline. Bill has strict dietary requirements due to gluten intolerance. In many other residences, dietary restrictions can be an afterthought, but at Timberline, the chef and dining staff ensure that every meal meets his needs.
Each week, a menu is provided outlining what will be served for lunch and dinner, offering a variety of nutritious and delicious meals. If an item contains gluten or lactose, the chef modifies it or prepares a separate meal for Bill, ensuring he never has to worry about his dietary restrictions. Even the serving staff plays a role in making sure his meals are safe, double-checking with the kitchen before bringing out his food.
For Bill and Edwina, this level of care and attention to detail was another confirmation that Timberline was the right choice.
An active and engaging lifestyle
One of their biggest concerns about moving into a retirement community was the fear of boredom. After years of being active, whether through Bill’s woodworking and home repair projects or their shared love of gardening, they worried that life in a senior residence might feel stagnant. However, their experience at Timberline has been anything but dull.
From the moment they arrived, they found themselves immersed in a vibrant, welcoming community. Timberline has a dedicated activity coordinator who organizes a variety of programs and events every day, ensuring that residents always have something to look forward to. Whether it is social gatherings, fitness classes, arts and crafts, or group outings, there is no shortage of ways to stay engaged.
On top of these planned activities, Bill and Edwina have also found joy in the simple pleasures of their new lifestyle, taking long walks along Timberline’s trails, meeting new friends, and embracing the sense of community that makes this place feel like home.
A decision they're glad they made
Adjusting to a new home always comes with an initial period of transition, and for Bill and Edwina, the first few weeks were spent tying up loose ends, cancelling home services, changing their address, and settling into their new routine. But once everything was in place, they quickly realized just how much they loved their new lifestyle.
They no longer have to worry about the burdens of homeownership, and instead, they have more time to focus on the things that truly matter, staying active, connecting with others, and enjoying their retirement to the fullest.
For them, Timberline at North Park is more than just a retirement community, it is a home where they can continue to thrive. As lifelong Port Alberni residents, they are thrilled that a place like this now exists in their city. They no longer have to choose between staying in the community they love and finding the right retirement living option.
Bill and Edwina could not be happier with their decision, and for anyone in Port Alberni looking for a welcoming, well-planned, and affordable senior living option, they believe Timberline is truly something special.