As identified in the Transitioning Towards a Sustainable Economy 2005-2009 Report, Western Prince Edward Island has a lot to offer:

• The availability of quality health services
• A healthy environment
• Community Pride
• Cost of Living
• Safety and Security
• Community Services
• Recreation and Leisure Living 

The availability of quality medical services is clearly an important factor when considering a place to retire. Western PEI has two acute-care hospitals along with clinics and medical services to provide the level of care residents demand.

A Healthy Environment
 
Western P.E.I. is surrounded by the clean waters of Northumberland Straight on one side and the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the other. In addition, the only commercial electrical generation in the community is wind-driven and there are no significant industrial polluters in the area. All this amounts to PEI being among the provinces with the fewest declared ‘smog days.’ 

Community Pride
 
Western P.E.I. is a bastion of community strength, maintaining the tradition of neighborliness where residents cherish a more quiet lifestyle and mutual respect for each other. Neighbours and visitors alike are greeted with a wave and a “g’day,” and a visit to the local Post Office would be incomplete if you didn’t exchange a few words with a neighbour.

Cost of Living
 
Comparing the costs of housing in Ontario, Alberta and Prince Edward Island, it is clear that if you own your own home in Ontario and Alberta you can sell it in that market and replace it in P.E.I. for significantly less  The Canadian Real Estate Association web page reported in March 2006 that the average residential selling price nationally was $274,163. In Alberta that month the average price was $267,641, and in Ontario, 282,407. In Prince Edward Island the average price was $124,288.

It follows that if you own your own home in either Alberta or Ontario and it has a market value of $275,000 you can likely replace it on P.E.I. for something in the order of $125,000.  The difference will be significantly higher if that home is located in Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto. The equity is then available for you to invest in the enjoyment of your retirement years.

Another interesting comparison examines the value of a fixed amount of money in terms of its purchasing power in Charlottetown as compared to other cities in Canada.

 Table:  Cost of Living Comparisons for Selected Cities

Source:  The Salary Calculator.  WWW.Homefair.com.  May 1, 2006.  This is the official site of the National Association of Realtors.Calculations are based on housing costs 33%; utilities 8%; consumables 16%; transportation 10%; and other services 33%.  

This table gives a cost of living comparison for selected cities across Canada.  The comparison is based on an annual salary of $60,000 in the selected cities and what salary in Charlottetown would be necessary to purchase the same quantity of housing, goods and services.  In most cases one could replace their cost of living in Charlottetown for $13,000 to $15,000 less salary.  The differential would be larger for Western P.E.I. but exact figures are not available.

Personal Safety
 
We are a community where residents know one another and through the generations have come to count on one another in times of crisis. The local RCMP detachment is strategically situated at the geographic centre of the area, providing prompt service should they be called upon and while neighbours can count on one another in an emergency, a comprehensive, Island-wide ambulance service has EMTs strategically situated within a relatively short distance from all our residents.

Leisure living and Recreation
 
Western P.E.I. offers a wide range of recreational and cultural facilities. Beaches, hiking, and fishing are indigenous activities in West Prince, but there is a wealth of other attractions situated throughout the community.