In soft summer breeze or in wild winter winds, the home of our hearts, Cape Breton

[primroseburrows]

Good Lord.

This house is in the Bras D'or Lakes region of Cape Breton, a.k.a one of the most gorgeous spots in the world universe.

It looks like this and also this. And oh, my. This. I've only seen it in winter, but, woah. Breathtaking.

Property Description:

"5 bedroom Heritage Home in a lovely private setting.The land is surveyed and consists of a young organic orchard consisting of pear, apple, and plum trees plus a large garden space. The house has been renovated & still has some work to be done. The original floor boards have been restored to their original glory and renos have been completed with respect to the older character of the home.The living space is bright & airy with a view to the lake with a main floor sunroom/office and garden doors to the deck.Heat is oil/hot water assisted by an attractive Jotul Woodstove."

Here's the MLS datasheet.

Five bedrooms. FIVE.

1.26 acres. Organic orchard, apple pear, plum. WOODSTOVE. And it's 90 years old.

Asking price? $92,000. That's CANADIAN DOLLARS. Which means the asking price is $82,358.92 U.S.

I could afford this. I'm pretty sure that even with my icky credit, I could fanagle a mortgage.

I've been to Cape Breton only twice, both times in the dead of winter. Anyone who knows me knows how much I fight against cold weather. I HATE cold weather. But the first time I stepped out of the van (and it was cold and snowy and there were PILES of snow everywhere), in the first oh, thirty seconds or so, I felt this really, really strong feeling that I'd not only been to Cape Breton before, but that I'd lived there, and that once it was home. Somewhere, back in some long-lost day, some ancestor or some incarnation lived in Cape Breton. The sulphur smell from the coalstoves mixed with the salt smell from the ocean, the music, the voices, everything. Complete love at first sight. And it didn't go away, that feeling of family, of belonging. Not then, not the next time I visited. I hated leaving, hated it, both times, and I've been trying to get back to visit again for years.

And now here's this house (and there are more like it, believe me) for practically pennies compared to where I live, and I'm here all wibbly because it just isn't possible.

I really shouldn't look at these websites.

Comments

[gamps-garret.livejournal.com]

We're just starting to get to know one another, but I think you've figured out that I'm not exactly a "that's just not possible" kind of girl. Why do you think this is something you can't go for?

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

My kids are here, my job is here, I really do hate cold weather (although I don't think this is the deciding factor), my mother would never forgive me. It's a distinct possibility that I'll eventually end up moving 900 miles SOUTH of here (why this is not as big of a problem with all of the above I'm not sure). It's just always been an impossible dream for me, I guess.

Not asking to be difficult, but to get you to think and articulate

[gamps-garret.livejournal.com]

Are the kids old enough to be on their own, or are they still dependant and thus moveable where you are?

Is there only one job in all the world you can hold and be happy with?

What is it about the cold that you hate so?

Why would mother never forgive you?

Re: Not asking to be difficult, but to get you to think and articulate

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

a. The kids are all old enough except mr_t00by (that's him in my icon, *g*), who's still in high school. The problem is that I wouldn't want to go without seeing them for long periods of time, especially as croosa and tapped_trish will be starting a family soon.

b. The job I have isn't the one I want, ultimately. I'm sure I could do the birth stuff anywhere, so it's not just the job.

c. It seeps into my bones. I've hated cold weather and fought against winter since I was a kid. This year I'm really going to work at dressing better for the weather, and accepting the cold as part of nature, instead of railing against it.

d. She'd probably forgive me, but she'd be upset about it. She lives alone, and in a pretty remote place (I have to take a ferry to visit her). I see her little enough now. Also, she'll be 79 this December, so she's even less of a spring chicken than I am.

I'm keeping my options open. These houses aren't going anywhere, or going up in price (they 've stayed relatively the same pricewise for the ten years I've been looking). So I guess I never rule anything out, but right now isn't the best time to move anywhere, let alone so remote a place as Cape Breton.

Re: Not asking to be difficult, but to get you to think and articulate

[gamps-garret.livejournal.com]

So I guess I never rule anything out, but right now isn't the best time to move anywhere, let alone so remote a place as Cape Breton.

Just so long as you aren't rulling out a dream entirely.

P.S. I like your new plan for dealing with the cold.

Re: Not asking to be difficult, but to get you to think and articulate

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Nope. I never rule out a dream.

Now I just need to find myself a decent pair of boots.

[newleaf31.livejournal.com]

Uh. CAN I COME TOO?!?!??!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Sure. We can hike the Cabot Trail and then take some classes here.

[newleaf31.livejournal.com]

I think I'll pass on the hiking, but D00D, I am ALL OVER the music classes!!!!!!!

(They really need to offer Irish music classes in Princeton. It's culture, for heaven's sake.)

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

These are closer to Scottish music classes, but the culture's similar. *g* I've wanted to take up the fiddle for ages. *dreams*

[on-a-hill.livejournal.com]

*ugh*
stab me in the heart why don't you.
I could afford that!!!!!!!!!!!

*dies*

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

This isn't the first time I've priced houses in Cape Breton. It's amazing how inexpensive they are. There isn't a whole lot of employment opportunities, IIRC, especially now that the mines are gone.

Of course, you've got universal healthcare, which is a good thing, although patchfire can tell you about how midwifery suffers from it by being seriously regulated.

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

Does it come with the harp?
It's cheaper than my house, and I live in a slum (almost).

*covets*

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Does it come with the harp?

That was one of my first thoughts. I'm thinking no, darnitall.

I'm pretty sure that you can find a CAR that costs more than this. Sure, it's probably a Rolls or something, but still.

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

That's an incredible deal. It'd go for prolly $900K where I live.

And you can't do it? For sure? You should check the midwife thing out, it varies from province to province.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

At this point I think I'd be lynched by my family. *sigh*

[tapped-trish.livejournal.com]

It's cool, the grandkids we plan on giving you soon will only have gramma living minutes from them and a great-gramma a ferry ride a way. I definately HATE HATE HATE cold weather.

<3

I hope my guilt trip works a little bit (That one is for you Elva)

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I hate cold weather, too, dear. :) A girl can dream, though.