Canadians no longer want to live in cottage communities

During the pandemic, many Canadians moved from the city to cottage communities: it was safe, beautiful, and quiet. The likelihood of contracting covid was minimized, it was possible to work from home because many companies switched to remote mode, and there were more activities in the countryside than in the city during the quarantine. During this period, prices for cottages and other real estates in the countryside rose legitimately: there was considerable demand for them. For about a year and a half, Canadians flocked en masse to the countryside to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and wait out the epidemic.

It's different now, with city dwellers bored in the townships, covid restrictions removed, and rose-coloured glasses shattered as rural life has revealed its disadvantages. Denise Johnston, an Ottawa Valley real estate agent, says the exodus of people from the villages is increasing. Some of the everyday challenges cottage residents regularly face are repairs and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems and wells, driving on snow-covered roads, and the wear and tear on cars. Johnston also mentioned that some companies have required employees to return to the office from a remote mode.

A report released by Royal LePage on March 28 predicts that the average price of a single-family cottage in Canada's recreational real estate market will drop 4.5% this year from 2022. The average cottage price now stands at CAD 592,000. Johnston clients who are selling their homes are at a disadvantage, but those who want to buy summer homes are very lucky.

But for those who want to buy a house in the countryside or move there from the city, Deniz has a warning: she advises them to find out all the differences from life in the city first. For example, cell phone and Internet service in the countryside is very dependent on the provider — some have very poor service.

You can learn more about the cost of housing in Canada from our materials.