Prince Edward County?
 

Anyone here living in Prince Edward County that would be willing to chat about it with me?
I am thinking of moving there, and would like a personal view of the area.
Thanks

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Visited there not lived, I believe there are a few people on here who do. Rural.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

My husband and I moved to a remote island in BC last year from the UK.
I absolutely hate it, loathe it. Hippies and rain. I am bored out of my mind...
We are way too remote.
I have finally gotten my husband to think about other places. I am originally an American from the East Coast, and I think PEC looks a lot like New England. Plus it's loyalist country!
So, I am looking for someone who is familiar with the area to have a conversation with about what it's like to live there. Rural, yes, but not bush country. History, art, and people. Did I say people? (There are people there?)
Any takers?

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Lovely, rural, arty, good cake, full of tourists. Picton seems a good place to live. We live about 90 mins from there and visit.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

What are the people like? Are they clique-y? Are they friendly to newcomers?
Is there enough of a society there for a retired woman or part time artist to find friends and culture? Places to eat, grocery stores and movies, churches and general town like stuff to do?
Is Toronto or Montreal doable as a day or overnight trip?

But my husband can stay at home and chop wood and do that manly man stuff in the woods?

Kayaking, boating, cycling (bikes?)
Is the snow terrible?

I guess I am hoping for a viable community that one can carve out a niche and enjoy life. Cortes, where we are now is like living in Alaska during the ice age. Except with old hippies!

Would a visit in winter be counter productive? Nothing open?

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

The poster above you (bats) is a rather good artist, so you are talking to the right person.

:)

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

I went there once, to buy chickens. It was a bit far for a day but I started out an hour north of Toronto. I'd say that, from PEC, Toronto or Montreal would both be a bit far for a pleasure day trip but easily done with an overnight stay. I would think that either could be reached in a relaxed manner by train from Kingston.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Why not move to southern Connecticut? Nice towns, nice communities and near NYC if you want decent shopping, so HID says.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

My husband is in love with Canada. ( Im also Canadian) And the healthcare thing is expensive and complicated.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

What about Bowen Island or West Vancouver? Won't be cold in winter and you can go downtown to Vancouver and stay in a nice hotel for a girly weekend when you want. I'm probably not helping.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

I would say yes to everything really. No idea about the snow but it's by the lake so is milder than here. There are artist groups with paint out days, oppotunities for exhibits. One artist from there comes to the same painting class as i do. What is your medium and subject matter?

There's easy access to Kingston and Ottawa, day trips to the USA. Heck, i think i might move there myself.

Lots of nice food in the County, and so so wine.

Not everything is closed in the winter, reduced hours tho often. Come this winter and there is an exhibit at the AGO of works from the Guggenheim.

Did you ask this question before but in more general terms for area?

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Actually, I did mention it before, but as I remember, the conversation petered out before I got a very good picture of the area.

Are people friendly and willing to be your friend? Here they are casually chatty, but when it comes to really forming friendships they are pretty standoffish. Ive been told no one will befriend you until you have been around for three years.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Day trip yes to all....heck from PEC (depending where) to Kingston is 1hr, Kingston to Montreal is a couple hours (depending where), Kingston to Ottawa is 2hrs or less (depending where i.e Kanata, stittsville, carp)

PEC to Watertown NY, or Syracuse...... 2 and 3 hrs respectively. Syracuse has a huge Mall called Destiny USA with loads of stuff to do. You can go out another 45mins and hit the Waterloo outlet mall

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

I don't live there so can't comment. It is much the same here though, casually chatty but hard to make friends. The friends i do have though are one i have met through painting.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Hi all, my first post here! Grew up in Chester and moved to Canada as a teenager. Have lived in 4 countries and finally settled down in Prince Edward County - and I absolutely love it.

We bought a home here about 3 years ago and moved here full time last December. It's an amazing little place, the community has been quite welcoming and there are a lot of interesting people living here. There is a great arts scene, a thriving culinary community and a lot of agricultural history. Plus, it's gorgeous!

Depending on your age, it can be hard to get started. We are both in our '30s and have found the job market difficult. There is a lot of seasonal employment here but not much else. I work for a foreign company from home but my other half has to drive an hour to Belleville every day. So, if you will be looking for work, it will be difficult. If you are retiring here, I think you'll find a lovely community that offers a nice bridge between rural and town living.

It's a bit busy in the summer but lovely and quiet in the winter. A lot of businesses do close in the winter but there are still things to do. Hope this helps - I am more than happy to answer any questions!

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Are you sure you meant Prince Edward County and not Prince Edward Island?


The county, other than farmers is mostly retirees who cashed in Toronto property to move to a larger place and a slower pace of life.

Its rural, but only 2h from Toronto, maybe 3 to Ottawa, and 4 or so to Montreal.

Wine is the most recent big thing there, but its been antiquey/ arty for a while. Agriculture I guess is the real foundation of the economy, but its starting to come onto the GTA radar as a vacation destination other than the "Near North"

I know a guy who lives in Picton and hes happy enough, but he worked in Belleville which is a 45 min drive. Hes recently retired.

The problem with the county is other than opening a seasonal B&B or a winery (which wont make any money anyway), what do you plan to do for money. Its basically a retirement community for those who have cashed in eleswhere.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

It gets a fair amount of lake effect snow in the winter so snowier than where we are. Certainly the south side anyway. Nothing like a mountainous region though obviously.

Cycling and Canoeing are going to be seasonal activities except for the very hardy.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Not sure how you would get from Kingston to the county by public transit? Belleville or Trenton will get you onto Via Rail and off to a big city if you can afford the fares anyway...

Beside, werent those chickens from carrying place, thats not really the county proper;)


If we plan going to a show or something in Toronto in the evening then we will stay overnight, but shopping and that is a day trip. Ive made it from belleville to the Toronto Exhibition Place in 2 hrs before, but granted, by some miracle I didnt run into hardly any traffic, and didnt have to find a parking spot once there.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

My husband and I are basically retired. He has a nice pension from Tesco.
He is also doing some consulting. So money is not a problem.
Ad yes, I mean county, not island. I've had it with islands.
Except for Britian. I'd love to go home.

I lived in Colorado once too. Liked the snow, at least until feb.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

I would disagree that the county is basically a retirement community. It's true that there is a significantly older population and there are definitely lots of retirees who have cashed in on GTA property and moved here, but there are also quite a few people like me - younger, creative types who could not afford property in Toronto and have moved here to start businesses and careers. If you find the right people it's a great community with plenty more to do than might meet the eye.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

We're sort of an island though:)

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Can you not go home?

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Three years sounds about right and people here are largely the same, chatty, friendly enough but to be fair its like anywhere else, the existing community isnt looking for new friends. However, if you find some people with common interests then there is more chance of things clicking.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Husband wants to be that pioneer type. Too many people in Britain for him.
And the US healthcare system is too expensive and very messed up. I'd the Canda over the US any day...

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Just checking...

The county is basically an island, there are three bridges,other than that its water all around;) There is a ferry and everything:)

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Well, on the county there is a good chance you will have to get by without electricity at least some of the time. Today being a case in point...

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

The point was though that good local sources of income are hard to come by, people accept that Belleville or Trenton or Kingston are the "local" economic centers, even though thats an hour each way. The county is to its credit trying to create a good environment for young start ups, but it really needs to succeed to prevent everyone under the age of 30 having to head elsewhere for want of decent local opportunities. Im not arguing its not a good community though, this part of the world doesnt lack for that.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

You'd drive to Kingston.

Carrying Place does ring a bell, it was a swampy place and I had to cross a bridge to reach it.

On edit:

"Performance Poultry is located in Prince Edward County ..."

http://www.performancepoultry.com/index.php

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

I edited... Why drive an hour the wrong way?

Swampy place across a bridge? Maybe it was the county proper afterall:sneaky:

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

I know right....some people I tell ya :rofl:

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Ah ha!
We already have an 8000w generator. Lights go out here all the time, especially in winter.
Check on that island thing. But at least there are bridges. We have to take two ferries, spend $60.00 and it takes at least 2.5 hours just to go to a decent grocery store. My hubby loves that, but then again he doesn't do the cooking...

I'd like a good mix of people of all ages and walks of life.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

This.....hatta girl :thumbsup:

Question for ya...what happens when the ferries are out of service temporarily?

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

It does happen sometimes. A month ago the ferries stopped completely because of fog. Just a day though.
If they stop you stay home. We are very dependant on them. The company is always crabbing about how much money they lose. In the back of my mind I'm afraid they will stop the Cortes runs or severely curtail them. That's bad for me personally, and bad for the property prices. They would just plain tank.
I want out of here!
PEC sounds so much better.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

You should also look at places North of Toronto (Barrie, Collingwood), as well as Southwestern Ontario in the Simcoe / port Dover area, both lovely areas in the summer with farm lands, and have the rural feel to them

Options that's all

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

I don't blame you. Plus, it wouldn't be too much to ask to be able to order a pizza, Indian or Chinese meal for delivery once in a while. That said, HID and I are thinking of renting a place on an island around here for about six weeks in the summer. We just have to take a lot of food and booze with us. :thumbup:

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Thanks ultrarunner, I'm on the case.
Youse guys are great.

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

You are welcome sweetness ;)

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

;):thumbup:

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

Prince Edward county is not Salt Spring, but it's not rocking, either! My British husband finds it very dull and doesn't see the attraction. I like it, but don't know if I would move there permanently. It is a bit quiet for my tastes. Beautiful though. time may change (gentrify) it, which I am not sure will be for the better... it's a tough one. I want to love it, but would be tempted much more by Victoria first. Have you lived through an Ontario winter?

Re: Prince Edward County?
 

What you want is Newport, Rhode Island. Sigh. Sorry... not helping.