More urban dwellers are looking to buy rural properties this summer, partially in reaction to the self-isolation and social-distancing measures that become challenging in a big city.
Yet, for the price of condominium apartment in much of Metro Vancouver buyers, can purchase waterfront properties in some of the most beautiful and wild locations in British Columbia. With travel restrictions lifted, some Vancouverites may consider widening their home search.
Cortes Island
City dwellers seeking escape can consider a stunning 9.8- acres with an oceanfront house on Cortes Island, just off the east side of Vancouver Island near Campbell River.
The property includes a 30-foot licensed dock with year-round protected moorage and a newly built West Coast contemporary house. It is a short boat ride from the government wharf, general store and Desolation Sound. Priced at $749,000 – less than average price of North Burnaby condo apartment – it is listed by LandQuest Realty of New Westminster.
Gulf Island
Then there is an oceanfront hideaway on De Courcey Islands in the Gulf Islands. De Courcey Island is about 10 miles (16 km.) southeast of Nanaimo and less than 20 miles from Vancouver, but a world away from big city living. The entire 480-acre Island is off the grid, but residents use wells for water, generate their own electricity, and build septic systems for sewage. It is accessible only by boat or air.
This package includes three separate 1.5-acre southwest-facing low bank oceanfront lots totalling 4.66 acres and approximately 669 feet of waterfront.
An architecturally designed, custom built two-bedroom home and studio are on the centre lot. The opportunity is complete privacy, or to carefully select buyers for the other two waterfront lots. It is listed by LandQuest at $769,000.
Your own private island
Now we are getting more remote, but you can likely ignore a global pandemic if you own the 45-acre Malei Island, part of an island cluster in Queen Charlotte Strait about 17 nautical miles from Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island.
This unspoiled region is known as a travel route for migrating whales, sea lions and salmon.
Malei Island is nestled in Cascade Harbour, encompassing most of this picturesque bay of Negei Island. It provides excellent protected moorage along the eastern shore while affording open exposure along the western shore where the residence is located, and where the views stretch to infinity.
Access is by private boat, but there is also a helipad on the site.
The residence is a 2,800-square-foot house that includes four bedrooms, all modern amenities, an expansive deck and hot tubs.
A boardwalk wide enough for a vehicle runs through ancient forests from the home to the eastern shoreline.
The Malei Island property is listed for $875,000 – similar to a condo apartment price on Vancouver’s west side – by BC Oceanfront Real Estate, Royal LePage.
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