Editor:
I lived for many years a block from English Bay in a modest studio apartment. Stanley Park was my back yard and English Bay my vista. Through life’s unexpected personal experiences, I found my way to Richmond and, for the last 10 years of retirement, to historic New Westminster, when and where my spacious one-bedroom could be had for $150,000.
To my surprise, New Westminster brought back the heady nature days of English Bay and Stanley Park. Located midway between uptown New West and downtown, there is no need for a car and the SkyTrain is a few blocks away. Queen’s Park and a sashay among the phenomenal heritage homes takes one uptown to a thriving community of seniors with modest incomes always gathering at the Royal City Centre — a sense of community for seniors like no other.
Variety in destination choice takes me on other days down my cardio hill from Royal Avenue at Fourth to the award-winning Pier Park along the mighty Fraser working river. The marvellous, unequalled boardwalk awaits (tip of the hat to our inspired city gardeners).
Thank you to the generations of hard-working New Westminster families who have preserved the Royal City for us newbies — whether owners or, increasingly, renters.
Peter Jacob
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