I lived in British Columbia for 26 years, I am a dual citizen. Part of that time I lived on Salt Spring Island, one of the five Southern Gulf Islands, a ferry ride from Vancouver Island or the Mainland. I was the Administrator of the multi social service non profit organization for the five Islands. To this day, I can think of no where more beautiful where I would rather live if life circumstances were different. On Salt Spring Island, a population of about 10,000 which doubles in summer with visitors, there are many people who go to retire. While it gets cool and rainy in the winter months, the smell of the ocean, the laid back life style, having a morning coffee by the water, more artists per capita than anywhere in North America, quaint restaurants, two golf courses, lively politics but respectful, and a mix of seniors, yuppies, old hippies, awesome youth, and good medical services make it a place that people want to stay forever. I would take it just the way it is, no need for a segregated senior community. I married an American so left Canada, but my love of British Columbia remains. People help each other in the true sense of being neighbors, similar to The Villages. And it was always fun to watch the yachts come in with Bill Gates or Barbara Streisand or the many other rich and famous who also came to enjoy the magnificence of the Island. The local market staff would walk down the long dock and bring out trays and trays of food to the Gates yacht and the jewelry store would close so Barbara could do her shopping in private. The mix of art, great farm to table meals, complementary therapies to traditional health care, and activities and events, makes it a ready to move into "Villages" of all ages with scenery and a lifestyle that exceeds anything I have experienced.
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