I’m Kathlyn Hunter—a retired teacher, a mother, and proud “bi-coastal grandmother.” I spent my career teaching in New Brunswick, where I also raised my two daughters. Today, one lives on each coast of Canada, and for many years I used every spare vacation to travel west and stay connected with family, always searching for balance between work, family, and home.
Midway through my teaching career, I was fortunate to take a deferred leave that allowed me to travel extensively. Over five and a half months I explored the United Kingdom, East Africa, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand. It was an unforgettable experience, but more importantly, it changed how I saw the world. No matter where I travelled, one thing stood out: strong communities help people thrive.
When I retired, I realized that many of my daily connections had been through work. Like many retirees, I found myself looking for a new community—a place where friendships could grow naturally and neighbours genuinely knew one another. That search led me to learn everything I could about intentional communities and cohousing.
I was fortunate to spend time each year in Vancouver, where cohousing communities are well established. The more I learned, the more I understood how thoughtfully designed neighbourhoods can help address loneliness and social isolation, challenges that many older adults face. Cohousing offered something simple but powerful: connection.
That search eventually brought me to Treehouse Village Ecohousing in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
After attending an information session in Halifax and connecting with future residents through emails and Zoom meetings, I began to picture Treehouse Village as my next home. The South Shore already felt familiar—my father’s family has deep roots in the area—and every visit strengthened that feeling.
In January 2023, I moved to Bridgewater and joined the community while the homes were still under construction. I helped wherever I could, and in November of that year I moved into my own home. I haven’t looked back. Retirement has proven to be every bit as busy as people promise, and I often wonder how I ever found time to work.
One of the joys of living here is everything the South Shore has to offer. Beautiful beaches are only minutes away, and it’s common for someone to suggest a spontaneous outing. I also love being able to walk to the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, where I can swim, join an aquafit or fitness class, enjoy a hockey game, visit the library, or simply get in a good walk.
Beyond Bridgewater, the South Shore is rich with cafés, bakeries, restaurants, museums, farmers’ markets, and coastal beauty. Historic Lunenburg is just a short drive away, and the Bluenose II feels like an old friend returning home each season.
But the greatest joy has been life within the Treehouse community itself.
I know my neighbours, and they know me. I feel safe here. Borrowing a cup of sugar is still a real thing, and a quiet afternoon on my front porch often turns into an unexpected conversation with neighbours passing by. Living here has reminded me that community isn’t something you simply belong to—it’s something you help create every day.
One of my favourite parts of Treehouse Village is the children. We’re fortunate to have many young families, and their energy brings the neighbourhood to life. There is always something happening—children exploring the green, riding bikes, inventing games, or suddenly appearing in a parade of tiny aprons on their way to bake something together. Moments like these remind me that community is built through everyday connections, across generations.
After years of searching for balance, I’ve found something even better: belonging.
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