What?
Well…
Salt Spring Island & the Canadian Gulf Islands, of course.
These lovely small islands, mainly nestled into the east side of the very large Vancouver Island, enjoy the best weather pattern in Canada.
In the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands experience a temperate climate, known as “cool Mediterranean“. Orchards & vineyards thrive here.
This thin strip of land between the ocean and the coastal mountains, the Pacific Northwest Coast, is generally delectable…the Gulf Islands are just that bit more unique and special!
Each island has its own special signature. It’s what goes “ping” for you that makes the decision about which island will “work” for you…so important to listen for that “ping”.
Salt Spring Island is the largest and best serviced of the Southern Gulf Islands grouping. It’s a stand alone community. One doesn’t have to leave the Island for anything…except to get one’s car serviced under warranty. There are good people to service your car…just not under warranty.
There is a year round lifestyle on Salt Spring Island. It’s not a “summer season only” place. It’s a stand alone & self-contained community and that makes a big difference to the rhythm of the Island.
A hospital, all services, three ferries (Vancouver, Victoria, mid-Vancouver Island), three floatplane companies (to Vancouver Airport, to downtown Vancouver, and to Victoria Airport and to Maple Bay, on Vancouver Island. There is a direct service from Lake Union in Seattle, to Ganges on Salt Spring, in the summer season). All these options are year round schedules.
Three elementary schools, a middle school, and a state of the art senior school, plus night school classes for adult education, are all available on Salt Spring.
An Arts Centre for live theatre productions, concerts, dance, forum speakers, plus gallery spaces for painting, fabric arts, photography exhibitions…there is a strong artistic base to Salt Spring’s lifestyle.
An indoor pool, a Sailing Club, two marinas, yacht club outstations, government docks for transient moorage, several boat launch facilities for day sailors…plus beaches to stroll, to swim from, lakes (all stocked with trout and bass, for freshwater fishing pleasures), park reserves for walking/hiking, tenting & bicycling venues…galleries, studios on tour…an amazing blend of environmental beauty and artistic surprises await your discovery, on special Salt Spring Island!
The Gulf Islands are all a part of the Provincial Government mandated Islands Trust. This Trust has been in existence since 1974. It controls growth through severe zoning/bylaw restrictions. It was created “to preserve & protect” the environmental beauties of the Gulf Islands for the benefit of all B.C. residents. In effect, growth has been controlled on all the Islands, and all of them have benefitted, thus.
Whether it’s for summer or seasonal use, or for year round living, whether it’s a ferry accessed or water access only option, there will be a Gulf Island that will “ping” for you.
How may I help you to buy your Salt Spring Island or Gulf Island property? Call me!
liread33@gmail.com
Pingback: September 2012, Market Analysis - Salt Spring Island Real Estate
Pingback: September 2012, Market Analysis | Salt Spring Island