Prince Edward Island real estate and the whole ‘Retire to PEI‘ topic was discussed on early CBC morning radio on Monday when I was interviewed about this website. It’s all about celebrating Canada’s most affordable and beautiful province- PEI. Nancy Russell, a CBC journalist and producer, is exploring the topic of ‘Selling PEI’ and how we can attract more people to live on what is known as ‘Canada’s Island Paradise’!
Take a moment to listen to the podcast at the website below. I am featured in part one along with Kerry and Murray Howarth of Priest’s Pond, PEI and part 2 examines recruitment of international students. It looks like Tourism PEI will be discussing its perspective on Thursday morning when they share more insight into their marketing strategy for PEI.
Title of ‘Canada’s Island Paradise’ Goes to Island Province of PEI!
The remarkable Title of Canada’s Island Paradise has been awarded to Prince Edward Island for a second straight year. The competition is as tough as ever with beautiful islands from coast to coast to coast all vying for the trophy, but somehow PEI continues to beat out popular west coast Islands, including Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island, which have threatened to take the lead. Prince Edward Island seems to capture the title when all of its merits are weighed, including beyond par golf courses, warm waters thanks to the shallow Northumberland Strait, larger than average lobsters, world class theatre, and the most affordable seaside real estate in Canada or the U.S. It truly is a magical environment, and despite a strong effort from Baffin Island in the North, PEI came up aces again in 2010.
Congratulations to Prince Edward Island on its second win and good luck in 2011. The award is granted annually in a secret ceremony in early April at an undisclosed location somewhere on the winning Island. Premier Robert Ghiz was not available for comment, but a close associate was quoted as saying, "I’m honoured to hear about the award and believe we have a good shot to capture the title again in 2011", which will be an election year for the young PEI premier.
The woods can be thick with spruce trees on Prince Edward Island and they often grow tall and skinny, so what to do? Healthy wood lot management on PEI means you have to become friends with your chainsaw and thin out the forest, allowing certain trees an opportunity to meet a healthy maturity. It is an endless amount of work, but is probably the best physical workout you can ever experience, and once you invest in a chainsaw and safety gear, it’s free, unlike a monthly gym membership.
PEI pioneers did not have the luxury of a chainsaw and so many modern tools that help cut down on time and effort. How did early PEI settlers manage in this new world with just basic axes and simple tools? I can work for hours in my woods clearing an area and building my somewhat unique pioneer stockade, but no progress seems to have been made. How did the pioneers do it?
My ‘stockade’ isn’t quite finished and I’ve only been working on it for about four years, mind you, I can go months in between a day of cutting down my thin spruce, which are nailed vertically into place. It’s quite the sight if you stumble upon it by chance in my woods. I imagine early settlers from the Isle of Skye in Scotland would have assembled similar structures upon their arrival in eastern PEI, on Selkirk’s ships, in August of 1803. Hopefully I have the time to finish it this year. It’s almost done, but it all depends on where it falls on my list of priorities. There’s always so much to do when you’re living the PEI dream.
PEI is rich in great musicians and a thriving music scene. There must be something in the well water. Sarah Sandford is one of the young ones who will definitely see a growing fan base as the years progress. The petite songstress has a big heart with lots of passion for her music and what she does best. Sarah writes most of her own music, which ranges from melodies about life’s tribulations, to belt it out rocker chick mayhem! A brilliant talent on five instruments, a jaw dropping voice, and she’s just getting started. Look out for this wild lass down the road. This much talent in one petite package comes with just enough attitude and is destined for great things. Check out the song above and feel free to contact this website to learn more about this PEI Talent.
I find it slightly amusing that the PEI driver in the above situation is not only a vet student at the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI in Charlottetown, but also a Vegetarian. The nerve of the cows! As a vegetarian, she insists on surviving on soy products and veg alone in order to protect the lives of these beasts that cause traffic mayhem on PEI roadways. Imagine how dangerous PEI roads would be if all PEI residents were vegetarians. The Trans Canada and all of PEI’s back roads, both dirt and paved, would be congested beyond reason, with everything from Herefords, to Black Angus, and maybe a Highland or two with those dangerous horns.
Consuming PEI beef is likely one of the most prudent and effective methods of maintaining safe Island roads, and blaming PEI vegetarians alone is hardly the answer. After all, some vegetarians, as in the case of this driver, believe their sacrifice of animal protein in their diet is one statement they can make to assist their cause. Call it the K.D. Lang syndrome, but the need to preserve bovine life is quite pervasive in some circles. It is also the responsibility of Prince Edward Island farmers to assure the public that their fencing is properly installed and maintained to limit cattle escape from pastures. That said, accidents do happen, and beef farmers are busy people, working long days for low beef prices, in a society that allows vegetarian free speech.
The debate will continue as well meaning vegetarians strive to save herd life in a world driven by hamburger sales. Hard working beef farmers will continue to toil in PEI barns, hoping for the day that fair prices for their animals once again return. In the meantime, stay vigilant at the wheel and be sure to get your protein, whether it comes from a Ribeye or a chickpea! And the cows in the photo should be very thankful that the Vet Student’s Toyota wasn’t factory flawed.
I met a guy from Britain last year who lives near London and spends some of his year in the Middle East working for a big firm. He discovered Prince Edward Island and its real estate deals just by chance on a visit through Nova Scotia. Popping over to PEI on the ferry was a simple after thought thanks to a gas station attendant in Cape Breton who put the idea into his head. "I wouldn’t have really heard of Prince Edward Island otherwise" shared the nice Brit. "PEI is just a place you never hear much about, certainly not in Britain, but even my American friends don’t really know it."
So much for PEI Advertising one would think?! But a lot of people on the Island like it that way. This nice British gent ended up purchasing a small house in a quaint fishing village east of Charlottetown and would actually prefer, as would many residents, if no marketing budget existed to promote this gentle island paradise. He spends part of each summer here, feasting on lobster, playing golf, and recharging his soul before venturing back to the hustle and bustle of London and points further east.
There is likely some worry that PEI’s unique recipe for its magical lifestyle will catch on a little too much at some point in time and others will discover the affordable real estate prices and special pace of life. We need to at least encourage a certain flow of people to support our tourist Industry, which provides jobs, and supports our local economy. The difficulty then is to balance our need for tourism with the need to protect PEI and this special way of life.
I think it’s safe to say that anyone willing to settle on PEI will do so because of that way of life and will join the collective efforts to make sure this island continues to develop in a responsible manner. PEI is worth protecting- and it’s certainly worth discovering!
There are so many options for the visitor to Prince Edward Island. You can stay at five* Inns, rustic B&B’s, hotels, motels, or maybe you want to tent it at Lord Selkirk Park in Eldon, which is located about thirty minutes east of Charlottetown just off the trans Canada. It depends on your budget and on the type of PEI vacation you’d like to experience. Is it all about being near the mini-putts and go cart tracks that characterize the bustling Cavendish north shore, or do you come to PEI to experience the natural flow of the lifestyle, less crowded beaches, and maybe some clam digging on an endless sand bar at low tide?? Different strokes for different folks, but whatever you seek, you’ll find what you’re looking for on Canada’s Island Paradise.
Have a look at some of the videos on the site to learn more about PEI holidays and places to stay. And feel free to call or email with your questions if you’d like some inside information.
I spent a few days scouting PEI barns about a year ago. The call had come in from a commercial production house in Toronto asking for someone to travel around the Island looking for the perfect barn to Star in a Frito Lay Potato Chip TV ad. I think we take our gorgeous barns for granted, but they are a huge part of the rural scenery, from Tignish to Souris, and points between.
The production company was picky and would send me back out on the hunt, from sunrise to sunset, for about three days. I was beginning to lose hope because the perfect barn had to be located next to a vibrant green PEI potato field, and we were well into October. Most of the potato fields were long harvested or at least turning brown by this date, although I kept the faith.
All of a sudden, as I passed through the quiet and picturesque community of Fredericton, PEI, I caught the view off to the side, as the sun hit in a stunning evening moment. This amazing red barn stood in command of the terrain with a potato field, still green in colour, nearby. I snapped the beast of a structure from all angles and rushed to the nearest computer to email the shots to the waiting Torontonians. Success, they love it. They’ll be on the first flight into Charlottetown in the morning to start the job. It looks like I was hired. A group of about ten people flew in the next morning and I greeted them equipped with two huge SUV’s and a couple of assisstants. The hotel rooms had also been booked late the night before and now we headed to Fredericton, PEI after a quick coffee stop. The next three days lacked sleep, but pumped a lot of Toronto dollars into the local PEI economy and the people of Fredericton will be talking about those few days for a long time to come. I also know a lot more about PEI’s unique and colourful barns.
There are so many people living urban lives who, either openly, or very secretly, have the fantasy of living on a small hobby farm in rural PEI. Maybe it’s from watching too many ‘Road to Avonlea’ reruns with Sarah Polley and quietly wishing for a less chaotic way of life, but I know you’re out there. I get calls and emails everyday from people in Alberta or BC or Ontario or Europe asking about small plots around five or so acres with an old farmhouse and a barn and an outbuilding, so they can keep chickens and a few sheep.
Life in the city is getting a little less safe and maybe just too busy. A lot of people get to a certain point in life and simply want to simplify. Maybe it’s the dream of running a B&B, the desire for clean air, or maybe a wish to stop fighting traffic in the daily commute? It’s understandable though. We weren’t really designed to live in a concrete environment. Some love it, but some need that five acres and a trip back in time. The good news is Prince Edward Island property is still a great deal and coming to PEI is like traveling thirty years in the past.
Get in touch today if you secretly or not so secretly wish to flee the urban chaos for a more simple lifestyle on Canada’s Island Paradise. Affordable hobby farms still exist!I am always happy to talk about PEI with anyone who wishes to learn more about this amazing Island. As far as I’m concerned, It’s Canada’s Island Paradise. Call Hamish any time 902.659.2778.
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Sarah writes most of her own music, which ranges from melodies about life’s tribulations, to belt it out rocker chick mayhem! A brilliant talent on five instruments, a jaw dropping voice, and she’s just getting started. Look out for this wild lass down the road. This much talent in one petite package comes with just enough attitude and is destined for great things. Check out the song above and feel free to contact this website to learn more about this PEI Talent..jpg)
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