[lenaitch]

Good news on that front however. Within the recent days many of the major tractor manufacturers (Case, New Holland to name two) have announced 0% financing on select models. So financing that Bright Red Case Farmall with the blower should just be a bit easier. And who would not want a bright red tractor? Useful in the spring when you need to plant the garden and mow the acre or so of lawn surrounding the family estate.

Alas, those days are behind me. Where I am now, a lawn tractor and 2-stage blower suffice (but don't think I haven't though about it). I am reminded, though, when I was sitting on my open seat New Holland blowing snow and cursing guys going down the road in their cab models wearing a t-shirt and fiddling with the radio/CD volume.

 

[AlbertC]

Just gonna slot in this article here about an 1840s building in Elora that has been restored and turned into a boutique hotel

https://torontolife.com/style/elora-1840s-heritage-building-restoration-boutique-hotel/

 

[gabe]

Just gonna slot in this article here about an 1840s building in Elora that has been restored and turned into a boutique hotel

https://torontolife.com/style/elora-1840s-heritage-building-restoration-boutique-hotel/

What a deal at her hotel. $980 to $2100 a night!! Those two along with the new owners of the Elora Mill have really yuppified the downtown in recent years. Elora was always a touristy little town, but it was a lot more affordable and hip. I used to have family there in the early 2000s. Back then most of the downtown shops and cafes were owned by hippy artistic type folks. It was a completely different vibe than it is today. It's become a playground for wealthy GTAers. Those indie cafes and shops that are left, will probably be pushed out soon as rents skyrocket, and will be taken over by Kat and Don and become another high-end boutique.

 

[PinkLucy]

We considered Elora for a milestone anniversary, but the cost was ridiculous. I'll pay for quality or to spoil myself on a special occasion, but I won't pay just to be at the latest trendy spot. We ended up going to Paris for far less money and had a wonderful time exploring a couple of coffee shops and bars there and riding to Cambridge for lunch via the rail trail.

 

[lenaitch]

What a deal at her hotel. $980 to $2100 a night!! Those two along with the new owners of the Elora Mill have really yuppified the downtown in recent years. Elora was always a touristy little town, but it was a lot more affordable and hip. I used to have family there in the early 2000s. Back then most of the downtown shops and cafes were owned by hippy artistic type folks. It was a completely different vibe than it is today. It's become a playground for wealthy GTAers. Those indie cafes and shops that are left, will probably be pushed out soon as rents skyrocket, and will be taken over by Kat and Don and become another high-end boutique.

It's not alone. Picton (actually, the whole County), NOTL, Unionville, Port Carling.

 

[Midtown Urbanist]

Just gonna slot in this article here about an 1840s building in Elora that has been restored and turned into a boutique hotel

https://torontolife.com/style/elora-1840s-heritage-building-restoration-boutique-hotel/

This new riverside condo just completed as well: https://eloramill.regorealty.ca/

Lots of listings on MLS with pictures of interiors and amenities. Seems absolutely lovely, but prices even in this Elora complex are approaching the GTHA norms.

 

[Towered]

This new riverside condo just completed as well: https://eloramill.regorealty.ca/

Lots of listings on MLS with pictures of interiors and amenities. Seems absolutely lovely, but prices even in this Elora complex are approaching the GTHA norms.

That doesn't make sense to me. Paying GTA prices to live in such a small town - where would you work? What well paying jobs are in that area?

 

[Admiral Beez]

That doesn't make sense to me. Paying GTA prices to live in such a small town - where would you work? What well paying jobs are in that area?

Here are some jobs paying $40/hr within 10km of Elora, https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=$80,000&l=Elora,+ON&radius=10&vjk=c0a7da1449461197

 

[gabe]

We considered Elora for a milestone anniversary, but the cost was ridiculous. I'll pay for quality or to spoil myself on a special occasion, but I won't pay just to be at the latest trendy spot. We ended up going to Paris for far less money and had a wonderful time exploring a couple of coffee shops and bars there and riding to Cambridge for lunch via the rail trail.

Its crazy expensive, if i'm going to pay those prices i would rather go to Langdon Hall for a true five star dining experience. I made the mistake of visiting Elora on a summer weekend last year. The place was a zoo! The little downtown was traffic chaos. After driving around in circles for over 10 minutes, i almost gave up until a car pulled out of a spot.

Some of the downtown streets needs to be car-less, especially during the summer months, too many tourists and phone zombies walking out into live traffic. Add more parking lots and get the cars off the main roads. it would nice to see the restaurants and cafes have larger street patios.

It's not alone. Picton (actually, the whole County), NOTL, Unionville, Port Carling.

Problem i have with these touristy little towns is all traffic and crowds of tourists you have to deal with during the summer months. If I have to deal with that, i might as well stay in a big city.

I do love visiting NOTL in the off season. A friend of mine was a chef/ general manager of a hotel restaurant in NOTL. He did very well, i was surprised to hear he quit his job moved to BC and became a spiritual advisor for some hippy dippy new age cult.

 

[Admiral Beez]

I was surprised to hear he quit his job moved to BC and became a spiritual advisor for some hippy dippy new age cult.

Makes the best Kool-Aid in town, I bet.

 

[Towered]

A friend of mine was a chef/ general manager of a hotel restaurant in NOTL. He did very well, i was surprised to hear he quit his job moved to BC and became a spiritual advisor for some hippy dippy new age cult.

Let me guess, Nelson?

 

[lenaitch]

Let me guess, Nelson?

Or Tofino.

 

[just east of the creek]

I’m continually flabbergasted and stymied by the thought processes that result in so few towns being proposed. How about a place like Thompson (Manitoba) All the services and outdoor life you could want, real estate is quite reasonable and cottage property even more so! Rail service once a day, a mere 10 hour drive to Winnipeg, and it’s a balmy -13, sinking to the -20’s for the week to come. With the invention of remote start for your truck, life is easy.

 

[lenaitch]

I’m continually flabbergasted and stymied by the thought processes that result in so few towns being proposed. How about a place like Thompson (Manitoba) All the services and outdoor life you could want, real estate is quite reasonable and cottage property even more so! Rail service once a day, a mere 10 hour drive to Winnipeg, and it’s a balmy -13, sinking to the -20’s for the week to come. With the invention of remote start for your truck, life is easy.

Retirement (the starting theme of the thread) is a little different, but anyplace you can earn a living and have a decent lifestyle is a good place. When I lived in Algoma District, one of the guys had a lovely camp (cottage in southern Ontario parlance). Waterfront, about 5km off the highway. The land lease was $75/year.

 

[Admiral Beez]

How about a place like Thompson (Manitoba) All the services and outdoor life you could want, real estate is quite reasonable and cottage property even more so! Rail service once a day, a mere 10 hour drive to Winnipeg..

Heck, they even have a Starbucks, albeit inside the Walmart. But the housing stock on realtor.ca is pretty weak. Especially if you want a proper, masonry-built structure rather than a trailer park type clapboard thing.