Port Alice

Port Alice sits at the end of the road on northern Vancouver Island, where Neroutsos Inlet meets Quatsino Sound. This former company town built around pulp and paper operations has transformed into something unexpected—a retirement haven where the median age of 58.8 years tells the story of people who’ve discovered what happens when you trade city stress for waterfront serenity.

The numbers paint an interesting picture. With 739 residents spread across just 7 square kilometers, Port Alice maintains that small-town intimacy where everyone knows their neighbors. The housing market reflects this community’s character: 53% single-detached homes dominate, but nearly 29% row houses suggest a practical approach to coastal living that maximizes both affordability and the stunning water views.

Manufacturing still employs 16.4% of the workforce, a reminder of the town’s industrial roots, but the real draw here isn’t about making a living—it’s about making a life. The climate has warmed significantly over recent decades, now sitting in plant hardiness zone 8a, which means gardens thrive and outdoor activities extend well into what used to be shoulder seasons.

Here’s what makes Port Alice different: it’s genuinely the end of the line. Highway 30 stops here, which means every resident chose this place deliberately. You don’t accidentally end up in Port Alice. The Quatsino Sound offers world-class fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, while the surrounding forests provide hiking trails that see more deer than people.

The economics reflect a community in transition. A 14.5% unemployment rate and $59,200 median household income suggest this isn’t about career advancement—it’s about lifestyle choice. The 33.3% senior population has figured out that waterfront retirement doesn’t require a million-dollar price tag.

For mortgage brokers, Port Alice represents opportunities in a market where traditional lenders often hesitate. Our 60% maximum LTV reflects the reality of a specialized market where the right buyer will pay for the privilege of living where the road ends and the real world begins.