Retiree Stories

Some advice on retirement living by Sterling Campbell
Newcomer 2000, Sudbury, Ontario

Last year my wife Judy and I retired here. When we read about this retiree project we were reminded of the efforts of Elliott Lake, Ontario to find alternative economic projects to replace the closed uranium mines and keep the town alive. I became involved when, as chair of the Sudbury health and social services committee of Sudbury city council, I was approached by Elliott Lake city representatives for support as a fellow northern Ontario mining community. During our deliberations we came to certain conclusions that I am happy to share with my adopted community.

You have taken the first step in that you have determined that there are strong economic benefits to Campbell River. However I am not sure that the community understands, judging by the lack of responses by the public since the project was announced.

Elliott Lake was devastated when the mine closures were announced. Today it is a vibrant community due almost solely to the retiree project. The mine's employees are long gone but the population remains stable.

The second step has been taken by the decision to advertise on the website. But you should be aware that you have other attractions that retirees would find as positives when making their decision to retire here. The first is the climate. Campbell River is situated on the 50th parallel, roughly the same parallel as Timmins, Ontario, north of Sudbury.

When one compares the two communities, as we did, one finds the milder climate and lack of snow here a strong benefit. Of course we understand that this has been a mild winter. But when I have not shoveled one flake of snow this year compared to dump truck loads other years I am ecstatic.

Health care is of great concern to retirees. You should perhaps feature the quality health care offered in Campbell River. The fact that we were able to find an excellent doctor here after going without one in Sudbury, for us, is another positive feature. We were also attracted by the lower cost of real estate and the fact that we would be paying 50 per cent less real estate taxes than back east. But before everyone cheers too loudly about the better tax rate here be aware that back east snow removal and more difficult road and frost-related construction costs account for the difference. As well, higher car insurance costs and health care premiums eat up much of the savings.

Another strong benefit is the positive attitude of the citizens to visitors. When I still had my Ontario plates on my car people would stop to chat and when we mentioned that we were retiring here we always got positive comments, from gas bar attendants as well as people on the ocean walk.

All in all, coming here has been a great experience and we look forward to a happy retirement here.