HELLO COUNTRY

The irony of penning the following piece in a “Support Local” edition for South Etobicoke isn’t lost on me, but if you’ve ever dreamt of saying ‘goodbye city...Hello Country!’ you’ll want to read on. You may or may not know this about me, but Jessica and I made the decision to leave Long Branch at the end of 2019. Suffice it to say, it was not an easy choice. We loved our little bungalow on Thirty Ninth Street just off Lake Prom. We loved our neighbourhood and we miss our friends. But when we weighed the pros and cons of selling our city home and buying a country property, we realized that it made a lot of sense; both financially and spiritually. We certainly lucked out having made the move prior to the pandemic.

Realtor who lives in Grey Highlands, a municipality in the heart of Grey County, has helped quite a few families make the move from the city to the country. Her area of expertise extends to properties in Bruce and Grey Counties, a large swath of land along the southern shore of Georgian Bay, that includes the north end of the Niagara Escarpment, and down along part of the shoreline of Lake Loving our new Grey County Life Huron. This area includes familiar destinations such as Collingwood, Tobermory, and Sauble Beach, but is mainly comprised of small, rural towns that fewer people seem to be familiar with (at least I hadn’t heard of them before). Towns like Meaford, Thornbury, Tara, Paisley, Durham, Flesherton, and Markdale to name a few. “The appeal of country life is taking hold,” says Moffat, “especially among young professionals, families, and those looking to retire outside the city who might have otherwise chosen to go south to the States.” Moffat and her family didn’t always live in the country. They did what we did, just 15 years earlier. “We know what it’s like to leave everything behind,” she says. “We always wanted to have more space, to be surrounded by nature, and to be more self-sufficient. I understand what it’s like to be new in the country,” Moffat continues. “That’s why I make it a point to be helpful to my clients long after they’ve moved in.” I know when we moved to Grey Highlands, we didn’t know a soul. Well, just one...our Realtor. He was our only friend for a while until we started to get out and meet people in the community. The concept of being friends with the person who helped you purchase your new home may seem foreign, but it’s common place up here in the country. Moffat can attest. “I always help connect my clients with local contractors when they need work done on their place or even to plough snow,” she explains. “I love to recommend great local shops and restaurants, and also to just be a friend. We’re all part of a tightly-knit, but

It’s not news that folks are moving to the country in droves now, partly to escape the confines of Covid city life. Single people, couples, families - all looking to embark on a new adventure in search of a simpler, more peaceful life.

As I write this, I hear snowmobiles zipping past our house as they drive along our snow-covered road passing the odd horse and buggy, no doubt. It’s Sunday and our Mennonite neighbours are on their way home from church. I’m wearing overalls and kneehigh camo boots because I just came in from mucking out the goat stall. Yes, we have goats! And horses, too.

By the grace of God, we’ve managed to do a complete 180 with our lives, and we’re not alone.

5 Bed + Office, 6 Bath, 3,780 sqft. Professional Chef’s Kitchen, Stunning Backyard w/Gardens, Highly Sought After Location.

Georgian Bluffs

1.5 Storey Farmhouse, 99+ Acres w/75ac Workable, Bank Barn, Insulated Outbuilding w/Shop Bay, Kennels, Cattery & Office.

Markdale

3+1 Bed, 2 Bath, 1.5 Storey Home. Original Hardwood Floors, Bright Updated Kitchen w/Quartz Countertops. Attached Garage.

West Grey

Century Farmhouse, 154 Acres w/115ac Workable & 25ac Mixed Bush. 22,000+ sqft of Outbuildings, 2 Feedlots + Overhead Cat-Walk.

susan.moffat@c21.ca stephanie.evason@c21.ca

Yes, we have goats! And horses, too.

spread-out community here and everyone helps everyone.”

Based on my experience so far, that comment couldn’t be closer to the truth.

I’ll never forget our first winter in Grey County. The snow was up to my waist with drifts upwards of 12 to 14 feet high. It was more snow than Jessica or I had ever seen. One day, while trying our hardest to dig out our vehicles with the snow shovels that we brought with us from Long Branch, two of our neighbours rolled up in their tractors, complete with a loader bucket on the front and a snowblower on the back (the likes of which I’d never seen before - we didn’t have tractors in Scarborough), and asked very graciously if we needed help.

“Heck ya!” I said as I gave them a big thumbsup and then watched in awe as they went to work blowing out our tree-lined driveway back toward what would become our stable.

Can you guess what I bought the following spring? Yep, a tractor with a snowblower attachment.

Not bad for a guy who told his Kindergarten teacher that he wanted to be a Farmer when he grew up.

So, what do you do if you’re thinking about getting out of Dodge? For starters, check out some properties for sale in Grey or Bruce County. ‘Grey-Bruce’, as it’s affectionately known up here, is kind of like one big County. I call it God’s Country. Obviously, it’s all but covered in snow right now; which may also be the case for South Etobicoke, but you should come check it out in the springtime. The green pastures and rolling hills. The hay bales laying out in farmers’ fields, the proximity to lakes, ski hills and the absence of traffic (unless you’re stuck behind a horse and buggy) make this place a great spot for a second property or your primary residence. Given the cost to rent or buy in the city these days, GreyBruce gets more appealing by the second.

“I’m working on a few listings right now that are perfect for people thinking of laying down new roots,” says Moffat. “I haven’t met anyone who’s regretted moving up here!”

You’re not alone if you’re seriously considering a new life in the country. I had the pleasure of meeting several families this past year at events in Grey County who read about them in the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press. One family in particular told me at a Christmas Market last December that they’d sold their home in New Toronto and bought a property in West Grey. They’d had enough of the city and wanted to start anew in the country.

Take it from me. It’s a different world up here.

Our new friend, Susan Moffat

By: Roger Tumminieri

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HOPE HAVEN THERAPUTIC RIDING CENTRE 545747 Sideroad 4A, Markdale 519-986-1247 partnerships@hopehavencentre.org www.hopehavencentre.org