It is said (mostly by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation) that a Million Dollars goes a lot further in Atlantic Canada than anywhere else in Canada and perhaps the US.
Seems logical, our cost of living is low due to moderate housing costs, our heating costs may be higher its all relative. I was on Roberta Murphy's blog awhile back and she invited Active Rainers to join the Carnival of Luxury. It sounds like fun so I thought and I thought, and I thought some more about our provinces concept of luxury. I know the carnival is over but thought I'd add my two cents.
There are a few substantial properties in St. John's listed at over the $500,000 mark and several edging close to $1,000,000. Our board had a condo sell for $1.5 million awhile back and everyone thought the purchasers were crazy. Nice place mind you, four storeys, elevator inside the condo, fabulous view of the Narrows and so forth - I guess that could be considered luxury.
Then I thought that the annual Remax Report on Recreational Properties might be where I find luxury properties, yes there are a few areas, but more like a resort versus luxury home.
So then I thought what would have to be in a luxury home or getaway to be considered luxury:
1. Kidney shaped outdoor pool (we don't need them, too cold on the kidneys)
2. Indoor pool (that's a good idea as long as it comes with a pool boy or to be politically correct pool person)
3. Several garages housing antique sports cars (nope, they'd rust, too close to the salt water, truck with a snowplow would be better)
4. Lush garden with tropical plants (rock garden is more like it, they "the mainlanders" call Newfoundland "The Rock", heck Newfoundlanders call it "The Rock" too)
5. Chef's kitchen (most of our chefs have gone to Alberta were lucky to have a good cook for Jigg's Dinner at the local Irving station)
6. A closet the size of a bungalow (I wear mostly boots and big winter jackets most of the year so the summer portion of the closet would be quite small other than for my shoes)
7. Spa bathroom (nope, who has the time to lie down in a Jacuzzi tub with bubbles and lighted candles - I don't even have time to light the candles forget the suds)
8. Wine cellar that's the ticket (I usually drink what comes in the door so the cellar would be used for those infrequent hot days or hot flashes just to cool down a bit)
9. A high tech alarm system and house wired for sound (not much crime to speak of here, as for the sound system I'd be turning it down all the time after the kids have cranked it up).
10. My idea of luxury is driving into a small fishing community about an hours drive away (no traffic, we do have our "rush hour" at which we might get stuck for two traffic lights), parking my car on the wharf, bringing a little chair and a book to read, watch the fishers (that's the new politically correct name for fishermen) come and go in their little boats, smell the really fresh air, and soak up the elusive sunshine, and listen to the quiet of the cove.
Money can't buy this!!
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