Welcome to Alberni Valley at the Heart of Vancouver Island! Vancouver Island is often called Canada’s Hawaii because it has the mildest climate in the country. It is, without question, a natural paradise on earth. The Alberni Valley is, in many ways, a microcosm of Vancouver Island. Towering mountains, stunning rainforests, pristine lakes and rivers, and the Pacific Ocean (by way the Alberni Inlet) can all be found right here in the Alberni Valley. It is a recreational mecca!
The City of Port Alberni has a population of approximately 17,500 residents, while the greater Alberni Valley is shared by a total of 25,000 people. It is small town British Columbia living at its very best! When viewed from a mountain top, it becomes clear that Port Alberni was literally carved out of the west coast forest along the banks of the Alberni Inlet.
Aside from the recreational opportunities and natural beauty, the two things that bring new residents to Port Alberni are its affordability and its central location on Vancouver Island. Port Alberni has by far the most affordable real estate of any major community on Vancouver Island. Port Alberni is often called the Gateway to the Pacific Rim because it is through the valley, via a stunning 1.25 hour drive past Sproat Lake to the west that one reaches world famous Long Beach and the Pacific Rim National Park. A 0.5 hour drive to the east brings you to the sheltered sandy beaches of Qualicum Beach, while a 1.0 hour drive to the east brings you to the shopping center of Nanaimo and the BC Ferries terminal to mainland British Columbia. A 1.25 hour drive to the north brings you to the International Airport at Comox. Finally, a 2.5 hour drive to the south-east, and you can explore British Columbia’s picturesque capital of Victoria. The central location of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, coupled with the low cost of home ownership is hard to beat!
Welcome to the Alberni Valley! Come for a visit, but just be prepared to never want to leave.