Toronto real estate news
Canadian Cottages: Strong Rural Communities Essential
to Canadian Cottagers
Soaring cottage prices are hot news across Canada. Many studies
predict this sellers' market will continue through 2005 and beyond.
Yet, in the midst of double-digit increases in the value of vacation
real estate, all is not well outside Canada's urban areas.
When you've found your dream cottage or a spectacular waterfront
vacation home, investigate what's happening beyond the property
boundaries to be aware which services are, or are not available
to support your new second home.
In cottage country public transportation may be nonexistent.
Water treatment and sewage treatment capacity may be threatened
by seasonal population pressures. Rural tax bases may not support
infrastructure upgrades. Hydro, telephone and policing services
may be inadequate. Finding a family doctor may be all but impossible
and the nearest emergency room, which may be kilometers away,
may not operate 24/7.
Seasonal owners want connectivity to enable them to telecommute
and extend cottage visits, or take early retirement. Without Internet
access equivalent to that in urbanized areas, rural and remote
residents lose out on everything from healthcare to employment.
High-speed access is essential to telemedicine, distance education,
e-commerce, and tourism - a vital economic driver for rural areas.
Parts taken from PJ Wade of RealtyTimes
