canada4home

Hey folks

As it will be two years before I return to Canada (I lived in toronto for a year and a half) I will be in a position to buy a home for myself outright, no mortgage, or possibly take on a small mortgage if I find the right place. I'll be looking at in or around the $300,000 range without needing a mortgage.

I will be working as a long haul truck driver so I guess I will get to see a lot of the country myself then before I buy. Seeing as I will be going the PNP route i will be looking around either alberta or manitoba. I will probably be living in my truck for at least 5 years (single, no kids)

I grew up basically in the middle of nowhere in the west of Ireland so i like my remoteness. Preferably somewhere mountainous. And yeah i know, newfoundland would be very similar, but I want to be near the work. Building on a site might also be an option for me.

So any suggestions on a beautiful part of the country where I can start dreaming of now before i get back there?

Former Lancastrian

Well you can certainly strike off Vancouver, Toronto & Calgary for the $300 grand no mortgage.
Im sure others will tell you NS, NB, Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Alberta will offer the best although the eastern provinces have smaller caps on PNP numbers as opposed to Manitoba as an example.
Do your research and use the Wiki at the top.

christmasoompa

The eastern provinces also don't provide any way for a truck driver to get PR via the PNP, which I assume is why he's only focused on MB and AB - they're two of the few (I think it's only 3?) provinces that allow truck drivers to get PR.

Aviator

Do a search on the MLS website for property and prices. Good you like remoteness, $300k won't go far in the main centres unless you look for a small apartment or townhouse. Most mountain areas, Western Canada anyway will be well up there in price, lots of holiday homes and resorts that push the prices up.

If you are looking out west, take a look around Ferni, Rossland, Revelstoke, Trail, still pricey but maybe doable.

Jingsamichty

I do believe that "mountainous", "remote" and "beautiful" were the OP's criteria.

So well done for advising him to strike off three of Canada's biggest concrete jungles.

Former Lancastrian

I guess we can then also strike off Manitoba and Saskatchewan then

canada4home

Yeah i had manitoba and alberta in mind due to the trucking and PNP. i know the rockies are in alberta but in looking at that I was coming up with places like Banff which seem to be more touristy and expensive at that too. I don't want to live in a condo in a remote place as that kinda defeats the purpose. i'm into my art and have over the years gotten a small but nice for my needs recording studio going.

Thanks Aviator I will have a look at those places that you mentioned

Oink

Manitoba or Alberta.

christmasoompa

The only thing I would say with that is that if you're not planning on returning for another couple of years, then presumably you're 3 years or more away from PR - and by then, a lot could have changed in immigration. So don't focus too much on AB and MB (particularly AB, as the trucker PNP prog is only a pilot program) just in case they no longer offer you a route to PR. You may find that other provinces will by then as well.

Good luck.

Atlantic Xpat

There are long haul trucking jobs to be had here. In a past life, I shipped fish by truck to many parts of the US. The resource industry boom here also seems to be driving (no pun intended) a need for truckers as I frequently see adverts on www.careerbeacon.com for them. So perhaps worth looking into. The Provincial Govt has an immigration website here: http://www.nlpnp.ca/index.html

$300k, won't buy you a great deal in the greater St. John's area (although it will buy you something) but go out into the country and it can buy you a lot.



AX

Canuck2b

Vancouver Island!!.......There are affordable bits in the sticks.....Seems it would suit and you are a short driving distance to the city if needed.

Piff Poff

http://www.realtor.ca/map.aspx?vs=VE...e;chkAll:false

I searched MLS.ca for you, single family home for $300k and mountain view, should give you an idea.

rivingtonpike

Unless you work for a trucking company and they pay the ferry, or you just travel the Island, the ferries are CRAZY expensive these days! Not sure what a truck costs but a car with 4 people return is about $200! Outrageous!

Aviator

If you are trucking I don't believe you get paid for the 3 hours or so the ferry takes up, so at least 6 hours of downtime.

Canuck2b

True.....Got carried away with the beauty part There are lots of people who commute to the mainland though. I know the OP wants to live near work but I think a decision would have to be made either way......Is the beautiful scenery/quiet surroundings of the downtime more or less important. Also, if there is no mortgage to pay his options could be widened.