This charming community is primarily a residential district with shopping malls, professional buildings and public recreation facilities. This predominantly middle-class suburb does have a taste of the elegant as large estate mansions line the innermost beachfront of St. George's Bay, the northern arm of Barkley Sound. Chester is well known for its abundance of green spaces, man-made lakes, walking paths and the new 9 Hole Chester Springs Golf Course.
Fort Cook Interpretive Centre stands on the location where the fort was built. At the site of Captain Cook's landing is a large stone statue of the explorer who welcomes visitors to Cookston. Cookston was one of three founding townships that eventually became New London. Cookston has remained an important community in the city and has become an offshoot of downtown. A thriving garment district and a business centre, Cookston also supports a large residential community. Cook Stadium, home of the New London Totems, can also be found here.
As New London's major seaport, the docks handle much of the city's freight traffic from various Pacific Rim nations in addition to being the city's main ferry port from nearby Victoria, Seattle and Vancouver. Alive with fine seafood markets and restaurants, the district is abundant with warehouses, shipping companies, importers and other waterfront businesses. Harbourside is also rife with hidden crime and illegal goods which are shipped and received through this district.
A vibrant Italian community which has not forgotten its national roots. The residents of this community enjoy the comforts of modern living while keeping their anonymity in the city. While having the best Italian restaurants, coffee houses and bistros in the city, it is the business that is not seen by the public that keeps this community financially secure. The waterfront supports a healthy shipyard and import businesses for those people wishing to transport merchandise that requires little legal attention. Little Italia celebrates national Italian holidays with grand displays of hospitality, good food, and good cheer.
This district has been zoned for industrial use. Manufacturing, processing, and refinery facilities are the dominant features in Millstream. The New London International Airport is also situated in Millstream, which brings about 8000 tourists a year to the city. Although it is not the most attractive of districts in New London, it is one of the most expensive with industrial lots running prices that would rival homes in Barkley Island.
This district supports the major recreation centre in New London. The white sandy beaches are packed with sunbathers and Ocean World, the city's prime amusement complex, is always open for visitors. During the summer months, the park's main attraction is Sheenu the Orca and its amusement rides. The waterfront boardwalk also provides entertainment with a stunning view of the ocean. Restaurants line the beachfront but are kept far from the few residential areas which are jealously guarded by their owners. CFB Hartley is a dual service complex, supporting both a naval yard and an air force base for Canada'a Pacific theatre of operations.
A secondary docking point for smaller ships, Port Albion's warehouses hold the unfortunate distinction of being an entry point for illegal drugs, weapons, and persons into New London. Despite the repeated effort of the city police to clean up the neighbourhood, the crime rate is substantially higher in the vicinity of the docks than anywhere in the city, with the exception of Hamilton. Once one is away from the waterfront, the district becomes like any other blue-collar residential neighbourhood.
Another of the 3 founding communities which became New London, Saint George maintains its English charm. An upper-middle-class neighbourhood, the district is catacombed with parks and green spaces. Shopping malls and service stores also have heavily infiltrated into this sleepy residential area. St George's Point is a favourite spot for outdoor activities and water sports. St. George also boasts the West Island Fairgrounds which plays host every year to Settler's Days, New London's answer to the Calgary Stampede.
Australian settlers came here during the Klondike Gold Rush, and more than a few of them stayed, finding the natural beauty and abundant resources preferable to the sparse openness of their homeland. Named for the famed Aussie city, Sydneysiders brought a hard working, yet laid back attitude to New London. Australian themes prevail in most of the public areas, shops and markets throughout the district. Primarily a residential area.
This district could easily be mistaken for a artists' commune. The intimate and diverse atmosphere, coupled with relatively low rents, serve to get the creative people, including painters, poets, sculptors, and novelists, to live in the area. Some of the world's finest avant garde sculptures find a home in Penrith Square, a small cul-de-sac enclosed by small cafés and bistros. The West Island Museum of Fine Art is located here with weekly showings, and a great number of night clubs catering to jazz, alternative, classical and rock music listeners alike also exist. The residents of Ucluelet have recently been vocal in their opposition to a planned thoroughfare to the coast which would run through the Cliff Park district which overlooks the ocean below.
This blue-collar neighbourhood is a ethnic mixture that is quiet and cosy. Many of the residents here commute to their jobs downtown and throughout the city. Westchester residents enjoy the abundant scenery and ocean views with the only distraction being from the arrival and departure of aircraft from NLX. Although Westchester is a very nice neighbourhood, it is clearly different from its neighbours in Chester.
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