Quality of Life

In Ontario East you’ll find the full range of living alternatives, from a relaxed rural or waterfront lifestyle through neighbourly engagement in small or mid-sized communities to navigating fast passage through swift city life.

The Setting

We offer outstanding settings for most of the recreation options suited to our four seasons. There is always a good reason to spend time outdoors, whether you prefer a solitary walk or the companionship you may find on a beach or ski slope.

The Arts

But we also provide a wide range of arts and cultural venues. For instance, in Ottawa, our nation’s capital, you will find our national museums as well as centers reflecting tastes in many forms of artistic expression.

At a Reasonable Price

Our safe, comfortable communities are in a region where most of the rest of Ontario vacations. Cottage life is close at hand. But housing prices are reasonable, making home ownership a real possibility for a great many of us.

Consider what we offer:

Housing

Typically, housing in Ontario East has been developed in well-planned, low-density, fully serviced neighbourhoods. High-speed Internet access is found in all urban areas and many rural areas. In our towns and cities, treated water and wastewater services are the norm, as is natural gas. In the countryside, including our many waterfront properties, an abundant watershed ensures ample supplies of sparkling clean well water.

Housing prices vary with location. The following 2004 prices are for a 1,500 sq. ft., detached or semi-detached, 3-bedroom home with a detached garage, a full basement but no recreation room on a fully serviced 3,500 sq. ft. lot.

Recreation

Ontario East offers the range of high-quality amusement alternatives from contact sports to cultural events, from cottages to four-star hotels.

Our region is known worldwide for its spectacular vistas. Whether you prefer the sandy, sun-drenched banks of Lake Ontario, the whitewater that cuts through our pine forests, our cold northern lakes or the slow, steady swells of the wide Ottawa River, Ontario East is your family playground.

Our lakes and rivers draw those who like to swim, boat or enjoy the thrill of white water rafting. Campers have 15 Provincial Parks and campgrounds at hundreds of other locations to choose from—and the vast wilderness of Algonquin Park, on our northern border.

Have you heard that the fishing is excellent? It is. So is golfing. Golfers will find more than 100 challenging, championship golf courses from which to choose. But taking it easy is good, here, too—in one of our many waterfront cottages.

Cultural activities

Across Ontario East you will find activities ranging from sports to music, dancing to sculpture, skating to literature. Here is a taste of the variety Ontario East offers:

• Skating on the Rideau Canal, the world’s longest rink (FYI, in 2007 the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site is celebrating its 175th anniversary; it’s up that year for a UNESCO World Heritage Designation)
• Classical music at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre
• The athleticism of the Maxville Highland Games
• The thousands of beautiful flowers at Ottawa’s annual Tulip Festival
• The music at the Havelock Country Jamboree, the Limestone City Bluesfest or Ottawa’s Bluesfest
• The acts at the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous
• The world’s largest liftlock, in action in Peterborough
• The flavour of the vintages of the many wineries in Prince Edward County
• A performance of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada
• A performance at the Port Hope Capitol Theatre, Canada’s only operating atmospheric theatre
• The old-fashioned charm of the downtown streets of Merrickville, Port Hope, Cobourg, Warkworth, Perth, Almonte and Millbrook

Climate

Ontario East has four distinct seasons.

Those who enjoy cross-country skiing or skating on our many outdoor rinks—including our numberless ponds—will appreciate our crisp, dry, cold winter air. The temperature in the Ottawa Valley can fall below 0C (32F) for weeks at a time.

Spring is a short season of transition from winter snows to the long, warm days of summer. It’s a good season for getting out the bicycle and returning to summer shape once again—or for long walks in city parks.

Our summers can be warm. Although temperatures rarely rise much above 30C (85F), humidity can make it feel warmer. Now is the time for a deeply refreshing swim in one of our lakes or rivers, boating on a secluded waterway, enjoying a meal at a table on a sunny terrace, or tending the vegetable garden permitted by our ample growing season.

Autumn is the season of change, when leaves flame suddenly into gold or fire engine red or any of countless colors in between. These are days for long walks, crisp early and late in the day but warm at midday. Now is the time to enjoy the harvest and to prepare for winter days ahead.