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Rural Roots - #1 - Heading Down The Road

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage

It's been 10 days since we packed the moving truck, a pickup truck, a van and my car and left Oakville for our new home in Tavistock an hour and a bit down the road.  Ten action packed days, I must add.

The journey down Highway 401 was not without incident as I noticed an object flying across the road ahead of us.  At first I thought it was just a piece of cardboard but as we drove a little further we noticed a box spring laying on the shoulder of the road, and a car in the middle lane stopped atop a mattress with a second car smashed into it's rear end.

A van which we presumed had lost the load from their roof was backing up on the shoulder of the highway.  An insurance nightmare would unfold, I presume.

Once we safely arrived we found that my uncle had come by to shovel the snow from the driveway, my mother and sister who live just a few miles from our new house had a feast prepared for us, and a new neighbour had also dropped off a hot meal and desserts.

Welcome to Tavistock.  Could it get any better? 

The boxes are all unpacked, there are some mirrors and artwork on the wall.  My helpful uncle came back and hooked up our dishwasher.  The house is beginning to take shape and our dog Lola seems to be settling in also.

One of my neighbours came by to shovel out the bottom of the driveway the other day with his snow blower after the plow came by.  Another neighbour came by to do the same thing but noticed it had already been cleared.  This neighbour's children had come to the door our second day here with valentines welcoming us.  They are triplets with an older brother.

People drive by when I'm out walking the dog and they wave to me.  How refreshing is that?  A novel idea?

This is a huge change for us.  We have left a town with a population of 175,000 for a village of 2500.  The air here is fresh other than the odd manure smell from the farmer's fields.

What do I miss so far?  Hmmm let me think about that.  Well my friends and colleagues of course.

And the Toronto Star newspaper.  But I can pick that up at a store when I walk downtown.

Being able to walk to everything is a bonus.  I think I may just get used to small town living quicker than I expected.

Comments (22)

Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

Hi Jenny, your new little town sounds ideal!  What thoughtful neighbors and family you have!

Feb 08, 2011 04:35 PM
Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Jon, my new workplace is only 15 minutes down the road in a town of 32,000.  I just joined the gym there and will spend lots of time there.  Also we are a half hour from 2 communites of 300,000 each.  I know I can get lost there if I want to lol.

Thanks J.A.  I have to hope it's my last move for long time lol.  I'm getting too old for this moving.  Each time I do it, it's harder on me.

Feb 08, 2011 04:35 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Jenny...I bet you are excited with your move and new home..your friends are only an hour away. Good luck, have many happy years in your New home

Feb 08, 2011 05:14 PM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

How fortunate you are to leave the rats to the race.

Good Luck in Tavistock.

Tavi's stock just went up.

Feb 08, 2011 07:04 PM
Amy Hahn
Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC
Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

Sounds Perfect to me!  When we moved to a small town five years ago, I missed my friends down in Florida (and of course, right now I am missing the warm weather), but I love small town life & hospitality. 

Hope Tavistock continues to make you all happy!

Feb 08, 2011 09:50 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Jenny - Just 10 days and you are fully unpacked?  Wow!!! Lots of people take a lot longer.

I haven't bought a newspaper in many many years as all of the four dailies are online.  Perhaps you might want home delivery of the K-W Record since it is also owned by Torstar.

Feb 08, 2011 10:07 PM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Sounds very inviting Jenny! You sound happy and that is important. Glad to hear Lola is settling in too, moving is hardest on our furry members of the family and they don't even carry boxes!!

Feb 09, 2011 12:20 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Jenny, I wish you only the best with your new life in Tavistock! I love small town life, I hope we get some pictures! And best of luck with your new office!

Feb 09, 2011 02:06 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Jenny - Welcome to small town living ..... Tavistock sounds a lot like Uxbridge far enough from the city for most of the time yet close enough to the city at the same time.

Feb 09, 2011 10:13 AM
Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Hi Melanie, I'm hoping the novelty doesn't wear off but I don't think so.  What I'm liking so far is that the people here are from all over.  Many are retired farmers.  Some are young families and many are executives who work at RIM in nearby Waterloo and the Toyota plant in Woodstock, Ontario.  I was out walking the dog tonight and met a gentleman who worked here at the feed mill for 40 years and just retired in Sept. when the company was taken over by new owners.  Lots of interesting people here.

Thanks Fred, you are so sweet.  My son is flying to Victoria tomorrow for a ball hockey tournament.  Staying at the Fairmont.  I will let you go and cover the big event lol.  Check out my boy Andrew Kotulak.

Jim you made me laugh.  HOw did you know it was called Tavi???  Funny I mentioned something on Facebook the other day and spelled it Tavy.  My sister quickly corrected me and chastised me for not being able to spell it correctly as you have Tavi.  Hope they don't kick me out.

Feb 09, 2011 01:38 PM
Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Hi Amy, I love that photo of you and Tanner.  Florida doesn't seem to be all that warm in the winter the last couple years.  Is your snow all gone? It is piled pretty high here.  They have markers attached to the fire hydrants so the fire dept. could find them if necessary.

Hi Marc, yes I like to get rid of boxes right away.  Feels good to throw the empty ones in the garage.  We have been getting some papers in the mail.  The Oxford Review and today a New Hamburg Independent.

Al & Peggy, yes Lola is happy with all the snow. I just wish it would warm up a bit so our walks could be a little longer and we could go exploring more in the area.

Hi Andrea, I hope to get out and about with the camera when this cold snap breaks.  Enough of winter already!!

Hi Kathy, yes I think we both have the best of both worlds.  I sure don't miss all the stop lights.  Only one here in Tavistock but it's a 5 way intersection so takes some getting used to lol.

Feb 09, 2011 02:46 PM
Joanna Szwyd
StoneHouse Properties - Great Barrington, MA

Aaaach, small town living:) Jenny, I wish you the best in your new "small" surroundings. Changes are good!:)

Feb 10, 2011 04:26 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Jenny, glad to hear you made it to Tavistock without incident and that you are settling in well in your new digs.  I think I could get used to small town life real easy.  

Feb 10, 2011 08:56 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Jrenny,

 

This is quite a lifestyle change. Will you soon be listing farms?

 

The good news here on AR is that we have a "go to" agent in your new area.

 

Brian

Feb 11, 2011 12:03 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Jenny a big change in pace.   Sorry I missed your move I have not been on as much as I would like to.  Being able to walk to everything is wonderful.

So is your car back on the road?  I hope you did not have to wait around too long at work.

I hate unpacking, I recently got rid of a couple boxes I never unpacked when we moved 10 years ago ;)

I hope you will enjoy your new home and the added bonus of having family close by.

Feb 12, 2011 03:26 PM
Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Joanna - you're back.  I wondered where you went.  Yes small town living will be a bit of an adjustment but luckily there are many big cities nearby.

Hi Nick.  Some people don't think I'm going to be able to cope here but I"m a small town girl at heart lol.  No regrets yet.

Hi Brian, no I don't think farm sales are in my future, but never say never right?  Yes, I'd love to be your go to girl for this area.

Hi Jen, my car is good to go.  Did my first duty and met some more agents at the office.  Yes, being able to walk uptown is great.  I'm heading out to explore some country roads today with Lola and want to take some photos of the area.

Feb 13, 2011 03:27 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Jenny, how exciting for you and yours. I'm sure your enjoyment of small town life will only increase as the weather improves. I look forward to your photos as you walk your new town.

Feb 17, 2011 03:08 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

One of the reasons why we live in La Mesa, a suburb of San Diego, is because it’s small town living but provides easy access to everything that the big city has to offer.

Feb 18, 2011 11:04 AM
Donna Malone
Waterfront, Luxury, Family, Affordable, Cottage, Deals - Bridgewater, NS
Homes and Property for Sale Nova Scotia

Thirteen years ago we moved from North Vancouver, BC (lower mainland of BC population 1,000,000 +++) to LaHave, Nova Scotia, poulation 400. It is wonderful living where the river meets the ocean, but I miss the restaurants. We cook a lot more at home here, than we did when we lived in the city. We thought we were moving to a quiet rural lifestyle, but the truth is, we've never been busier. Life is full of surprises.

Mar 19, 2011 05:14 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Jenny, it sounds like you are really loving your new place.  I am so pleased for you.  But, ya know, folks in my neighborhood wave at me all the time, too.  And sometimes, they use all the appropriate fingers, as well.  How nice, huh ?

Mar 25, 2011 05:12 PM