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Affordable Living and Retirement in Nova Scotia, Canada

If you’re budget-conscious, don’t mind the cold weather one bit (or are looking for the perfect warm-weather retreat), love seafood, and have a historical mindset, then Nova Scotia is the place for you.

In the late 19th century, Nova Scotia attracted a select group of wealthy families, who traveled by train and steam to its large Victorian seaside “cottages” from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and other industrial hotbeds.

Little has changed in 100 years at this North Atlantic summer colony: The vibe remains staid, unhurried, and family-oriented. The pristine coastline is sparsely populated and less developed than anywhere in North America; real estate still costs only a fraction of that in the United States and Europe.

Nova Scotia, located on Canada’s Atlantic coast east of Maine, is shaped like a lobster with its claws pointing toward the remote province of Newfoundland and its tail pointing in the direction of New York and Boston. Latin for “Nova Scotia,” Nova Scotia is named for its resemblance to the homeland of some of its early European settlers. The Scottish footprint on this land is great, but so is that of the Irish, French and British, and each culture has left its mark.

Roughly half the size of New York state with a population of just under a million, Nova Scotia boasts 3,600 miles of rugged coastline dotted with quaint fishing villages and quaint little towns. Long a destination for vacationers and retirees from across Canada, in recent years the once sleepy region has been attractive to American and European transplants with its beguiling beauty, rich history, slow pace, proximity to the United States and , of course, affordable real estate. .

Perhaps nowhere in Nova Scotia is the official label “Canada’s Ocean Playground” more pronounced than on the south shore. In the heart of this region along Nova Scotia’s scenic Lighthouse Trail lies White Point Estates, a charming seaside residential community developed amid White Point Beach Resort & Country Club, once a lodge. gated for wealthy nature lovers. On the waterfront bordered by white sandy beaches, lush forests and a rushing river, White Point is a microcosm of the best of Nova Scotia. With its laid-back historic vibe and mesmerizing views of the water, the new seaside enclave seems almost too good to be true.

Amidst a sprawling 159-room resort with private lodges and cabanas and a CPGA-rated 9-hole golf course, White Point offers a variety of building lots. They range from 3/4 of an acre to about 2 acres and are priced starting at $45,000. Building lot options offer something for everyone; including gently sloping forested expanses and stunning beachfront (and water-view) sites. Here, informed expats and Canadians are buying lots to build vacation and full-time residences in an area where they will rub shoulders with cosmopolitan immigrants, tourists, seafarers and locals. A few lots have sold so far, but given their prices and the amenities that come with them, including a plethora of amenities and recreational opportunities, they’re sure to sell fast. And, White Point will work with you through every step of the home building process.

Sales of vacation and future-retirement properties in places like White Point Estates are booming, real estate specialists say. People from afar, cost-conscious and city-weary, are increasingly seeking respite and new beginnings in Nova Scotia. Not surprisingly, the Maritime Province is increasingly lighting up the radar screens of those seeking an affordable alternative to traditional vacations, second homes and retirement retreats, where rising home prices have left many off the market.

Since media outlets including Consumer Reports, International Living, and CNN have begun ranking Nova Scotia among the world’s best places to vacation, live, and retire, property costs have risen as much as 50% annually in some areas of the city. Province. Yet despite price increases, property here is still a fraction of what one would pay for similar real estate back home. And with perks like some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, a relatively mild climate (winters are milder than in the northern US), and a low-key, stress-free lifestyle away from the race rats, wars and terrorism, it’s easy to see why life looks so good under the maple leaf.

For details on White Point Estates, visit http://www.whitepointestates.com or contact Doug Fawthrop at 902-354-2711, ext. 370 (toll free 800-613-2171), email: [email protected].

Get there

Nova Scotia is close enough to the US and Europe that you won’t experience jet lag when you get there. The capital, Halifax, is a 2-hour flight from New York; 6 hours from London. Portland, Maine, where the 5.5-hour ferry to Nova Scotia departs from, is about a 90-minute drive from Boston. For ferry information, visit: http://www.catferry.com.

Where to stay

White Point Estates offers a site inspection package ($159 weekdays couples; $199 weekends), allowing prospective buyers to visit for two nights at White Point Beach Resort while exploring all that the community has to offer. to offer. To reserve a tour, call 1-800-613-2171.

For more information

Passport to Canada: The Complete Guide to Living and Retiring in Nova Scotia, an eBook available at http://www.thegloballife.net.

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