Notes on The Region

Tap into what the cognoscenti have known for several years, a little bit of insider information if you will - Port Hope and Cobourg are turning into bedroom communities of Toronto. Just an hour of highway driving east of Toronto on HWY 401, they are rare in Ontario towns that have proactive Heritage Conservatories that prevent bulldozing of Century Homes for Parking Lots - "managed growth" is a term that comes to mind.

And it is a good thing.  Together with Grafton, steeped in history, they were the playgrounds of the Rich and Famous since the early 1800's.  That would explain all the majestic estates in the surrounding countryside.  With the proximity to Rochester via ferry, a lot of American steel money had poured into the area.

Northumberland County, wherein lies Port Hope and Cobourg, benefits from the growing trend of "city folk" moving out from the hustle and bustle in the "big smoke" to somewhere quieter and safer.  With the Internet revolutionizing the way we do business and communicate, many have taken advantage of what telecommuting has to offer. When we placed the Director of Marketing for a major National Bookstore in Grafton close to 10 years back, he traded his home in North York for a 100 acre farm with a restored Century Home that once belonged to the Masseys for $550,000.  I am sure it's at least double now.

Northumberland County is only part of this phenomenon of "managed growth", although Port Hope, being the closest, has positioned itself to be a gateway of sort.  Port Hope, indeed, is unique with it's water frontage, Yacht, Golf and Country Clubs, developed cultural events and mildly eccentric denizens.  Cobourg has an active Marina and cafes and shops with more contemporary flair.  (They even have sushi every Saturday night at The Oasis!)  We have the Big Apple in Colborne that opens year round attracting millions.  And Brighton turning into a well received retirement community - great success in the development of Brighton-by-the-Bay by a REIT.  Then Prince Edward County, with picturesque Picton,  is turning into the other Wine Producing region.  After selling The Hillcrest in Port Hope to an area Spa, I see a few more popping up that provide a variety of alternatives and choices.  Another client from the U.K., now a good friend, has set up another one in Brighton.  This is quite special - as influenced by her background as a hotelier in Africa and her son as an impresario in the entertainment/music industry in the U.K. and New York.  Then there is Trenton and Belleville, led by one of the most dynamic Economic Development Boards in the person of Chris King; and Kingston, which is experiencing phenomenal growth.