PEI Ice Fishing

This was February 2009 on one of the coldest PEI days I can remember, which made me feel safe on the ice as I walked with my friend, John, across an inlet of the Northumberland Strait. The Strait averages about sixty feet deep between Nova Scotia and PEI, so it heats up in summer and offers the warmest waters north of the Carolinas, and in winter it can freeze pretty much from province to province. The burgeoning coyote population on PEI got its start when the canids first trotted over the ice one winter from Nova Scotia. Once you have coyotes, you’ll always have coyotes. They are here to stay.

PEI is having an easy winter in 2010 and the ice on the Strait probably isn’t thick enough to hold me, let alone the smelt shack, and the propane heater that makes it possible to stay out a bit longer to try and spear another frying pan load. Nothing beats smelts dipped in egg and breadcrumbs and fried up to a crisp in a cast iron frying pan. ‘Some good’, as they say on the island.

I love a mild PEI winter and they all seem mild the past number of years. Only January and February seem to have a few biting days, but next year I’ll hope for a quick cold snap, allowing me check in to the ’Smelt Hotel’ for a few days of waiting and watching, until a smelt or two slowly swims towards my bait bundle. At that magic moment I aim my spear and hopefully hit the mark…then head home for breakfast.  

Prince Edward Island is one of Canada’s most spectacular Islands. Vancouver Island is also a beautiful place, but  has become increasingly expensive and populated in recent years. The west coast also boasts the Gulf Islands that sit between Vancouver Island and the mainland. These islands command enormous real estate prices in exchange for a peaceful enough existence. A small hobby farm on Mayne Island was recently advertised in Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine for well over 2 Million. Big Bucks! Another unfortunate aspect of the west coast Island lifestyle is that surrounding waters are incredibly cold for swimming- even in mid-July. That said, the sailing culture of the west coast islands is a great lure, but even the elite can find these prices a bit O.T.T!

It is hard to compare Prince Edward Island to Vancouver Island and the other Gulf Islands. They are very different, but the once peaceful, affordable, and underpopulated west coast seems to have lost much of its lustre for those seeking an idyllic seaside lifestyle. A trend is afoot, as BC residents of  Vancouver Island, and elsewhere, pack up the car and head east to places like PEI, where one can still find peace, a healthy lifestyle, and affordable real estate, without a burgeoning population. And let’s not forget PEI’s vibrant arts, theatre and cultural scene.

PEI deserves the Title of Canada’s Island Paradise for obvious reasons. Although Canada boasts magnificent Islands from coast to coast t coast, Prince Edward Island allows us to revisit a more simple time, when people smiled more and helped their neighbours, and  young families or retirees could afford a house near the sea to call home.

Canada’s Island Paradise is a registered Federal Trademark belonging to Hamish Redpath, the owner of this website.

PEI is a gorgeous place to live and this November is further proof that we’re living in Canada’s Island Paradise! Some may joke that PEI has its weather challenges outside of typical summer months, although others know better. It could all be part of a great conspiracy to keep this Island Paradise the best kept secret this side of the Rocky Mountains? The cost of living is incredibly reasonable compared to an urban existence and it’s simply a great place to call home.

Maybe it is a conspiracy? That might explain why this brilliant Island remains relatively underpopulated, inexpensive, and peaceful. The problem is, however, that this amazing island attracts visitors for its world class golf, theatre, and music- not to mention- scrumptious lobster and seafood… so how long can you keep all of this quiet, while at the same time market yourself to the much needed tourist traffic? People are beginning to take notice of our attractive way of life, underrated weather patterns, and affordable coastal real estate.

Maybe we just have to accept that PEI will no longer be able to remain some secret paradise and future growth from excited newcomers is inevitable. Hopefully we can ensure that our Island province develops and evolves in a way that can retain all of its glory intact, allowing all Islanders, new and old, to continue to cherish this special place.

PEI B&B Profile

It’s tucked away in the northeast corner of PEI, not far from the quaint town of Souris, where the ferry departs for Quebec’s Magdellan Islands.  Murray and Kerry Howarth stepped back from successful military careers in Alberta to pursue their PEI dream.When they first set eyes on their old homestead they knew it was meant to be. It even included two cozy cottages that they now rent out on a weekly basis and the main house is a heritage B&B with all of the character of another era. 

Kerry stuns her guests with delectable homemade meals and baked treats and Murray insists on a hands-on approach when it comes to hosting guests. The proprietor is always happy to discuss the local history and all that is amazing about this magical island. You will often find Murray guiding guests along the local trails or fishing on the nearby trout pond. "It gives us great pleasure to know that people have come here to have a real break from their chaotic lives and are going home happy, rested, and with fun memories.",  says Murray. "The PEI pace of life, especially around here, brings you back to earth quickly.

For more information on Howarth House B&B and Cottages please see their video on this site …..PEI Vacation Rental TV (to the right>>>>>)

Go East Young (Older) Man/Woman

Moving to Prince Edward Island from Canada’s west coast seems to be the trend these days. It might have something to do with the out-of-sight real estate prices, especially BC waterfront and water view land. And the cost of living in Alberta, especially in the North where the good ‘oil’ jobs are, is getting out of hand. It’s no wonder people are packing up their cars and trucks and heading for Canada’s Island Paradise…PEI! For the longest time people have headed west to carve out a new beginning, discover new opportunity, and enjoy the laid back western lifestyle. How times have changed!

The BC population just grows and grows and grows, leading to high housing costs, more stress, and making it hard to get away from it all. Try to find a private spot on a river just outside of Vancouver during the salmon run. It’s impossible to find enough room to cast a line, let alone find some solitude. There are simply too many people competing for the ‘healthy BC lifestyle’.

PEI offers the affordable dream to anyone who truly seeks a healthy laid back lifestyle in one of the few North American seaside paradises that isn’t overcrowded. It’s actually like traveling back 30 or 40 years to a simpler time, although the new Starbucks in Charlottetown still reminds you that a Latte is close at hand, if you so choose to indulge after your few hours of fly fishing on a quiet, undisturbed stretch of river.

PEI Condo Living

Condos have come to PEI, Canada, but only in the last few years. The whole condo concept is new on Canada’s Island Paradise and it has taken Islanders a bit of time to figure out that ‘home’ ownership without the worries of snow clearing and maintenance is actually a fairly attractive idea, especially for the retirement
set.

The Y Loft condos on Prince St. in Charlottetown are unique units for the PEI scene. Ole Hammelund, the Danish born architecht and long time PEI resident, lovingly and ambitiously redeveloped the former Charlottetown YMCA
into the most unique and spacious loft condos to be found anywhere east of Toronto or North of Manhatten. They have introduced authentic NYC chic into Canada’s smallest and most picturesque province and at a PEI Price!. Perfect for the youthul, young at heart retiree, or the hip tech savvy 20 30,40 something in need of massive room for entertaining. Spacious elegance and green living concepts abound, including waste generated hot water heat an windmill power.

Experience the energy and simplify your life.

www.Ylofts.ca

PEI: The New Elliot Lake
Retirement Living in Paradise

Elliot Lake is a community of about eleven thousand people tucked away in the wilds of Northern Ontario. It seems an unlikely retirement destination and more like the type of place you escape to for a weekend of fishing in the Canadian wilderness. Who are the marketing geniuses behind the transformation of an abandoned mining town with no hope of a future? How did a pit stop on the Trans Canada Highway become an affordable and thriving retirement community? The exciting metropolis of Sudbury is a lengthy 160 kms east of Elliot Lake and Sault Ste. Marie is a full 180 kms to the west, so its success is certainly a mystery, although it does speak to the demand for affordable retirement living as our population ages. Is it just a desire of ageing urbanites that seek a healthier lifestyle on the cheap as they reach their golden years? If so, Prince Edward Island is Canada’s obvious retirement paradise.

Our nation’s birthplace has long been known for its exceptional real estate prices and lower cost of living. It hasn’t been marketed specifically as a ‘retirement community’, but when you discover the affordable seaside real estate, the world-class golf, theatre, and music, as well as the vibrant cultural community, one wonders, why not?! Who doesn’t love Prince Edward Island?

People come from all over to visit the land of Anne of Green Gables, the beloved orphan created by Island author, Lucy Maude Montgomery. The beaches are spectacular and the lobsters grow bigger and taste better thanks to the warmth of the Northumberland Strait waters. Sorry Elliot Lake, but affordable retirement living is even more affordable on Canada’s Island Paradise. The boomers are beginning to catch on, too. It seems the PEI countryside, as well as more populated areas are seeing an influx of older residents redoing older farmhouses, or taking up residence in popular new condo developments.

Living the PEI dream will add years to your life. The crime rate is next to zero and you can leave your keys on the dashboard of your car overnight (not recommended). Young families are also coming to the Island in order to raise children in this secure and safe environment.

The winters in Northern Ontario’s Elliot Lake are far fiercer than in mild mannered PEI. It seems the Island winters of old could be quite the test, but in the past twenty years things have calmed down to acceptable levels of snow and wind. Only January and February pose occasional obstacles, although March may have its moments. And the affordability of your PEI real estate investment will make it possible to take an annual pilgrimage to your favourite vacation hot-spot, until the flowers bloom once again on Canada’s Island Paradise.   

Top Ten Reasons to Move to PEI

10. The lobsters grow bigger and taste better.

9. PEI real estate prices are still Canada’s best-kept secret.

8. The waters are the warmest north of the Carolinas.

 7. The golf courses attract the Hollywood Elite.

 6. Anne of Green Gables is recently single.

 5. Strangers smile and actually talk to you.

 4. The PEI lifestyle will restore body, mind, and soul.

3. You can leave your keys in the ignition overnight and no one will take your car (not recommended).

 2. It’s paradise all year long- even January and February.

And the #1 reason to move to Prince Edward Island…

 1. Potatoes are cheaper than rice!

I have been involved with marketing PEI real estate for the last six months and it’s provided some eye opening insight into a place I really treasure. Those who love PEI know the special reasons why they love it. We really have the warmest waters north of the Carolinas (at least on the Northumberland Strait side thanks to its shallow depth, so it just warms up quickly and feels like bath water) and the beaches are magical. The pace of living is slower and things don’t change too quickly- if at all- which is refreshing to newcomers until it becomes slightly frustrating at times, but that may be the cost of living in paradise. And paradise is the only way to describe it. It’s exciting, ripe with musical and theatrical talent capable of gracing any stage- anywhere. The golf courses attract VIP’s and the Hollywood elite like Sean Connery and Harrison Ford to play away their days- And the seafood and Culinary offerings are top notch. The Island is home to Celeb Chef Michael Smith after all, which doesn’t hurt.

It’s no surprise that my work in real estate marketing on PEI is more about marketing the Island Itself- promoting the ‘PEI Dream’- rather than actually pitching real estate. Selling old farm houses, luxury waterfront properties, PEI cottages, and investment opportunities is simply the result of someone’s desire to share in the dream. People from all over the country, the US, Europe, and increasingly, Asia, are in touch with me on a daily basis to ask about the Island and one thing is always clear in the voice on the other end of the phone- excitement. People want to learn more about this Island; young and old. It seems to be well regarded as an ideal safe-haven to raise a young family and offers an affordable way of life in one of North America’s most brilliant seaside escapes. The winters may act as a deterrent for some, but only January and February hold occasional challenges. Fleeing south for a break is always an option in a snowy year, but there’s something very inviting and restorative about curling up for a couple of months with good books and a roaring fire. 

Prince Edward Island, PEI, Canada’s Island Paradise…whatever you want to call it….is an amazing place that will likely add years to your life. And as amazing as it is, it’s not perfect. Nothing…not even paradise- is perfect- But the Birthplace of Confederation comes close.

Hamish Redpath is a PEI based writer and marketing consultant.