Residents of The Foothills

The Foothills master-planned community is set to grow and evolve in the years ahead. While we're already thriving, thanks to the early residents who chose to call this place home, it's the people here today who are laying the foundation for an even brighter future. To celebrate this, we're spotlighting some of the incredible locals who are helping to shape the enduring legacy of our community. Meet Lynn, who has helped shape this community by living here right from the start. We were able to sit down with her to hear about her special experience living here and her excitement for the future.

Q: How long have you called The Foothills home Lynn?

Lynn: We have lived in the Foothills now for four and a half years. We were the second or third house built on the street.

Q: Where did you live previously-another neighbourhood in Nanaimo/Lantzville or another city?

Lynn: We moved from North Nanaimo where we had lived for years.

Q: Why did you choose The Foothills?

Lynn: I wanted out of dense housing (suburbia) and got tired of not being able to enjoy my outside ocean view balcony due to the noise of neighbours. I spent four years looking for the perfect lot as I wanted it to have sewer, water, gas and privacy. I also wanted to be able to bike or walk into Nanaimo and I found that with The Foothills.

Q: What is your favourite part of your home?

Lynn: Everything. But if I have to pick, it would be being surrounded by nature. Our backyard is a real surprise to anyone who sees it. So private with a beautiful valley view and surrounded by nature. You can sit out there almost all year as it is so protected. If we want to watch the ocean we just move to the front yard. It is so serene here you just have a sense of well-being and calm. My husband was just prospecting in Alberta and when he came home he said he missed our backyard.

Q: With the aging population in Vancouver Island do you see more people choosing The Foothills for their retirement years?

Lynn: I would think the aging population would enjoy The Foothills for retirement. That could depend on what is offered as a community ie. a club house for functions, etc. Hopefully the community will be strong and offer many interests for seniors. The drawback is the hill as you would probably have to be able to drive to live here. Walking down the hill is great, going up is not as easy as one ages.

Q: What are you most excited about for the Future Village?

Lynn: I am looking forward to seeing the Future Village and the community that it offers. I do hope there is a possibility of a good coffee place to have a beverage and visit with people. This is a real lack in Lantzville.

Q: Your street/community Spence’s has an incredible neighbourhood feel. How has that come to be? How much interaction do you have with your neighbours?

Lynn: Spence's Way does have a nice community feel to it. Part of it could be that most of us went through the building and landscaping process together (which we connect in. Many of us seniors have the occasional “appy-hour” which is fun to get to know the people on the street. I have to thank Canada Post for getting to know my neighbours; you run into many neighbours on the walk to the mailbox and usually it snowballs into having a good chat. (my husband gets a chuckle that getting the mail can take me over an hour!)

Q: Fav walk or stroll in the neighbourhood?

Lynn: My three favorites walks are:-To go down the bottom of our property to Galloway marsh, walk along it to Harwood and then our street (Spences Way.)-We like to walk up the hill weekly in the morning and see all the new construction as it is always changing.-Walking along Galloway marsh, cross over Harwood Rd to the power lines, and round back on the end of Aulds Rd all the way home.

Q: Anything else you want to add here feel free!

Lynn: I love that you can get to Nanaimo without going onto the highway (via Aulds Rd). You also can bike or walk easily into Nanaimo and feel safe doing it using the E&N Wellness Trail. I would add that it is very special that the developer has such a personal interest in The Foothills. The social events that are held at the “Lone Tree House" are always great and a nice way to meet other people from the extended community. The care really comes across in those moments. And finally, one of the most important aspects of The Foothills is that it’s a place for all ages. On our street alone, you’ll find families with babies, young children, teenagers, as well as empty nesters and seniors. It’s truly special to see all generations living together, rather than being confined to a street just for seniors!

Have other questions? We’re here to answer all the questions you may have about Ascend at The Foothills, and the future of The Foothills master-planned community. Reach out to our team today to get connected.

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