Whether it is a beautiful cottage getaway or a custom dream home you are seeking, there are many reasons why Eastern Ontario is the place to build it! Beautiful views, weekends on the water, early morning fishing and late-night campfires are only the beginning of why Eastern Ontario is great, why not settle down all year long out there or at the very least put up a cottage for some time away?
Some of the locations to consider for your custom dream home or cottage:
Kingston
On the shores of Lake Ontario, known affectionately as the Limestone City, Kingston, Ontario is beautiful in any season. Kingston brings together a unique mix of students, entrepreneurs, government workers, corporations, and retirees from various locations in the downtown core, suburbs, and surrounding rural countryside.
HISTORY, ARTS & CULTURE
Known as a creative and literary city, Kingston is home to many well-known Canadian artists, actors, musicians, and authors, including Dan Akroyd, Sarah Harmer, Michael Andre, the Tragically Hip, Robertson Davies, Helen Humpherys, Bronwen Wallace, Janette Turner Hospital, Matt Cohen, and Diane Schoemperlen.
From the Agnes Etherington Arts Centre to The Grand Theatre and Kingston Symphony, both local and world-class talent is regularly showcased. And after the show, enjoy refreshments at one of the local pubs or coffee shops within walking distance.
LOCAL WINE & BEER
Eastern Ontario is home to several craft breweries and wineries. Prince Edward County is a growing wine region with many local vineyards open for tours during normal conditions. Local brewers often host tasting events, generally paired with creations by local chefs.
You can also find local wine and beer available in many restaurants in the Kingston area to accompany family-friendly fare or an upscale culinary experience.
WATERFRONT LIFESTYLE
The northeast shore of Lake Ontario borders the city of Kingston, providing spectacular waterfront views from the many local walking trails, city parks, and restaurant patios.
Throughout the milder seasons, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and windsurfers can all be seen taking advantage of the lake. Ferries run regularly to Wolfe, Amherst and Howe Islands, as well as Prince Edward County.
Hit one of the local food trucks for picnic fare and sprawl out on a blanket under a tree. Grab your favourite audiobook, podcast or music playlist and walk or jog while enjoying the waves and wildlife. Yoga in the park. Band rehearsals outdoors. Business meetings at the picnic tables. Anything is possible when you live on the water.
SAFE, FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOODS
Kingston neighbourhoods provide a variety of housing options, depending on lifestyle, budget, and family composition. Choose to live downtown, in a suburban area, or farther out in the surrounding countryside. Many rural properties are available with larger acreages. There’s plenty of space to raise a family, run a business, or retire and rediscover yourself.
Prescott & Russel
Referred to as ‘Ottawa’s Backyard’, The United Counties of Prescott & Russell is an amalgamation of two counties east of the national capital. Agrarian countryside unfolds as you wind down picturesque rural roads that connect some of Ontario’s oldest and most storied towns and villages.
Prescott & Russell are close enough to the city to be super convenient for a short getaway, but the serene landscape, welcoming locals, country shops and bilingual culture make you feel like you’re a world away.
SUMMER FUN
During the summer, families and thrill-seekers flock to Calypso in Limoges, Canada’s largest themed waterpark. Well-maintained and connected cycling trails make bicycle touring another huge draw to this region in the warmer months. After a long day of thrills, who doesn’t want to relax at a gorgeous brewery?
HARVEST MARKETS
Local harvest markets and locally made goods and treats are celebrated in the fall. St-Albert Cheese Co-op offers fresh curds for cheese lovers. Meet producers, artists, and artisans from across the region at the Vankleek Hill Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. And while you’re there, might as well stop in the Vankleek Hill Vineyard for a tour and tasting.
GREAT PARKS
Île du Chenail (Chenail Island) on the Ottawa River is without a doubt a must-see. Once the thriving first town centre of Hawkesbury, it was evacuated in the 1960s after much of the island was submerged due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station nearby. What’s left of the island is now a beautiful public park. Le Chenail Cultural Center tells the full story, including the Maison de I’lle, a heritage home still left standing on the island.
Voyageur is a popular 3,600-acre park resting on the banks of the Ottawa River alongside the Trans Canada Highway in the Prescott and Russell area. East of Ottawa and north of the St. Lawrence River, it’s Ontario’s most eastern provincial park. In fact, the park is just steps away from the Quebec border.
Perth
The Town of Perth is a community of 6,000 sitting along the Tay River in beautiful Eastern Ontario less than an hour from the Nation’s Capital. With a distinct Canadian town atmosphere, expanding post-secondary presence, and growing tourism economy, Perth is one of Ontario’s most attractive and well-known towns.
DOWNTOWN PERTH
Downtown Perth is an area of mixed-use that borders historic homes and waterways. It is one of the most historic and well-maintained downtowns in Ontario. Connected via the Tay Canal to the Rideau Canal, downtown Perth welcomes visitors from land and water.
CULINARY ADVENTURES
If there’s one thing that Lanark County is known for, it’s Maple Syrup. Sugar shacks dot the landscape and maple products fill the shelves in town. If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a love of breakfast living in Perth is for you. For other food adventures try one of Perth’s 20+ restaurants and cafés, serving up a diverse palate of dishes ranging from Italian to Mexican to German to Middle Eastern.
ALL-SEASON ACTIVITIES
No matter what the time of year, you don’t need to spend any of it inside when living in Perth. In the warmer months canoe the Tay and the Rideau, fish in the many pristine lakes surrounding the town, or enjoy an outdoor meal along the water. In Winter snowshoe or ski along in-town trails or head over to Pakenham, Calabogie, or Gatineau for groomed trails and thrilling hills. For the hiker, there are the Rideau and Trans-Canada Trails running through town or nearby Frontenac Provincial Park to explore.
Smiths Falls
Located in the heart of the Rideau Canal, the province’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, and situated halfway between Kingston and Ottawa, Smiths Falls’ proximity to three major city centres – Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal – is drawing those who seek a slower pace of life while still enjoying great connections. Smiths Falls offers residents quality schools, good medical services, several recreational facilities, a lower cost of living and minimal commute times.
WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES
The food scene in Smiths Falls has the look, feel, and taste of a big city. It features a blend of fine dining, family-style restaurants, and quaint gems including The Pickled Pig, Chuckles Jack, or The Vault Eatery & Pub. Along the main streets, you’ll also find dozens of shops, boutiques, and specialty stores for your every need. There are also five schools in Smiths Falls and many options for youth and adult recreation within the town. The possibilities for outdoor recreation lie in every direction. Explore the civic nature trails, or the scenic Rideau Lakes situated a few kilometres southwest of downtown.
PERFECT LOCATION
Smiths Falls sits at the center of a transportation hub for vehicular, rail, water and aerial traffic. VIA Rail provides daily passenger service to and from Ottawa and Kingston and passes directly through Smiths Falls. The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs through the center of the town. The Russ Beach Smiths Falls-Montague Airport is located just outside of town and can accommodate small passenger planes and air delivery services. The proximity to major markets, top-flight universities, and contemporary residential areas help attract a highly skilled labour force to help businesses succeed and the local economy to thrive.
Carleton Place
Carleton Place is conveniently located on the serene Mississippi River. Beautiful streetscapes, scenic trails and picturesque waterfront make this town one of a kind in the Ottawa Valley. The conveniences of the city, with the friendliness of a small town, make Carleton Place a wonderful place to live.
A community rich in history, Carleton Place has seen a number of influential industries come into operation including a grist mill, lumber mills and the Findlay Stove Company. It was in 1829 that the area became formally known as Carleton Place.
VOTED ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN CANADA
In 2018, Carleton Place was voted #5 on MoneySense’s list of the top 10 places to retire in Canada. Retiring in Carleton Place means you can enjoy the convenient location on the serene Mississippi River and bask in the friendly, small-town vibe of the historic town. There are also plenty of family doctors per capita, local amenities, and great areas for shopping and dining.
The beautiful streetscapes, trails, and waterfront areas make the area a wonderful place to live and seniors can enjoy quiet summer afternoons exploring the various sights and getting lost in the peacefulness and beauty of nature.
THE VIBRANT NEIGHBOURHOOD
Carleton Place has over 10,000 residents, and its family-oriented community is the perfect place for seniors to make new friends and enjoy their retirement years with their visiting loved ones. The vibrant community offers a variety of recreational and social activities including public pools and beaches, community centres, libraries, museums, and more.
With the city of Ottawa being less than a 25-minute drive away, our retirement home in Carleton Place is conveniently located for your friends and family to visit often. There are endless ways to get around Carleton Place, including biking, walking, public transit, and driving. For seniors, there are special shuttle services that take them around the area to places they love.
DINING
Carleton Place offers a diverse range of dining choices including Chinese, Indian, Italian, Irish, Canadian, Gastro – Pub and more! Enjoy a meal and a local craft beer on one of the many outdoor patios. Many restaurants and cafes have menu items that use Lanark County’s famous maple syrup. Local breweries offer tastings and a can shop so you can take your favourite syrup home with you.
R & R
Don’t forget to relax and rejuvenate in Carleton Place. There are many occasions for a weekend away. Old friendships, milestones, anniversaries, and new beginnings to name a few. But how about devoting a weekend to yourself for a well-deserved trip of pampering and relaxing? An excuse to disconnect from the digital world and focus on charging yourself up. Enjoy spa pampering, indulgent meals, riverside strolls, and bask in the solitude of a quiet weekend with a friend, partner or even by yourself, starting with a visit to Mahogany Spa in Carleton Place. Venture through Carleton Place at a slower pace to find new hidden gems and to find yourself again.
Ottawa
Not only a beautiful city filled with history and character, but also our nation’s capital! There are lots of reasons over 1.4 million people have decided to call Ottawa and the surrounding area their home. Ottawa was ranked #1 place to live in Canada by MoneySense Magazine
in 2016.
CULTURE
Ottawa is known for its international music festivals, its record-breaking ice skating rink, and its beautiful nature. Ottawa is also known for its bilingual character, politeness, and internationally influenced-cuisine. There is so much to see and do, and surely enough seasonal events to keep you busy!
STRONG ECONOMICS
There are a lot of employment and career opportunities in high-tech industries, government, and sectors such as health and education in Ottawa. The City has world-class research centres, esteemed academic institutions, and major international companies operating here.
MULTICULTURAL
Because of its rich ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity, and its rich pool of talent, Ottawa has developed into an exciting cosmopolitan centre. It is the second-largest immigration destination in Ontario, after Toronto, and is one of the top destinations for Francophones.
Ottawa’s diversity can also be seen in some of the City’s charming ethnic neighbourhoods. Chinatown, located close to downtown Ottawa, is a place for fantastic Chinese and Asian restaurants and food shops. Another wonderful neighbourhood is Little Italy situated in Centretown and the original home of Ottawa’s established Italian community. It’s hard to resist the great restaurants and outdoor cafes.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Ottawa has been named one of the top cities in the world to live in for good reason. Not only does it have a high purchasing power, safety, and health care index but also has tons of culture and new things to explore, you are sure to find something you love about Ottawa!
Conclusion
There are tons of reasons to build a custom cottage or home in Eastern Ontario and something for anyone at any stage of life. We’ve only covered a few of the great regions and cities in Eastern Ontario where you may want to build your new home or cottage. Whether you are retiring and looking for peaceful scenic views, raising a family and looking for more room to grow, or anywhere in between you are sure to find many reasons so many people are proud to call Eastern Ontario their home and cottage destination!