15 Minute Walk

15 Minute Walk Fundy Bay

15 Minute Walk – Historic Saint Andrews by the Sea

By John G. Kelly
B.Com., D.PIR., LL.B.,M.S.Sc., M.A. (Jud.Admin.), F.CIS.

john@activeretirement.ca ; www.johngkelly.ca

One of the idyllic livable pluses in small town intergenerational age-friendly communities is the “15-minute walk” along a traditional main street hub with neighbourhood stores and amenities owned and operated by local merchants who always have time to say “hello, how are you today”.  This is the main street that so many suburbanites wish they had as they watch those “Hallmark” romance movies where that big city visitor meets the love of his or her life in a small town and decides to live life to the fullest by making it their hometown.

That 15-minute walk is not just a dream for me. I live in historic Saint Andrews by the Sea on the Bay of Fundy. Water Street, adjacent to you guessed it, the Bayshore doesn’t have any chain stores. It’s a retail hub of two-story buildings, many of which have official heritage status, that contains all manner and sorts of locally owned and operated neighbourhood businesses. All of the shops I frequent have owners and clerks who know my name. After all, they’re not just merchants. They’re my neighbours and neighbours get to know your name and chat with you. It all makes for shopping to be a pleasurable experience and not just a chore.

During the high point of the summer tourist season, all of us who are full-time residents mingle with tourists who spend an enjoyable day just strolling up and down Water Street chatting about how friendly all of this is. And what they do find pleasantly surprising is just how easy it is to cross from one side of the street to the other. If you even look as though you’re thinking of crossing the street drivers will stop their cars smile and wave you across the street. You’re a real live person and people and should always have the right of way in a community. Yes, you’ve guessed it. There are no traffic lights in Saint Andrews; just stop signs at intersections. That’s all that’s needed.

Now there are two sort-of chain stores in the heart of the hub that are a. must. The government-owned and operated liquor store is located at the edge of Water Street and Joey’s Independent grocer, a Loblaws franchise at the other end. But they aren’t self-serve. There are real cashiers who are always available to have a quick chat. Interestingly, there’s the beginning of a reverse strategy with some of the big supermarket chains that are realizing that self-serve is self-serving their profits while inducing customers to stop shopping in person and to grocery shop online

Cashier checkouts are being reinstalled.

Go to your local library or online and get a copy of the April 5th issue of Canadian Geographic. The article “How Canadian Cities are reinventing their shopping malls” by Abbie Hayward explains how major suburban shopping centres are being redesigned to resemble idyllic “15-minute walk”  idyllic shopping hubs. You can drive 30-60 minutes on a jam packed four land highway, park your car in a football field-sized parking lot and then walk into a different make-believe world that unfortunately is filled with chain store boutiques and part-time help.

Or you can have a real live experience in the everyday course of your life like I do and live life to the fullest in an intergenerational small town active community like Saint Andrews. Think about it.

A Four-Lane Highway Comparator

A Four-Lane Highway Comparator 2148959692

A Four-Lane Highway Comparator

Saint Andrews Route 1 & The GTHA QEW & Highway 401

by John G. Kelly
B.Com., D.PIR., LL.B.,M.S.Sc., M.A. (Jud.Admin.), F.CIS.

john@activeretirement.ca ; www.johngkelly.ca

Yes, I do live life to the fullest in the idyllic historic town of Saint Andrews by the Sea. But on occasion, I do have to go into the city, that being Saint John, to access the kinds of goods and services you invariably find in crowded downtowns and malls. One of those recent trips was a visit to Costco.

That entailed driving on Route 1, the four-lane highway that extends from the border town of St. Stephen to Saint John and beyond.  Having lived in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (the GTHA) for 35 years I’m well versed in four-lane highway driving. Or at least I thought I was until I moved to Saint Andrews.

I’d been conditioned to know when to and when not to drive on ether the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) or Highway 401 that envelops the GTHA. Unless it was an absolute necessity, you avoided going anywhere in the GTHA that required you to use the “expressways” between 6AM-9AM or 3PM-7PM. The four-lane QEW and Highway 401 of double four lane (yes, eight lanes) are expressways in name only. In reality, they were “car – crawlers”. You were ensnared in bumper-to-bumper traffic jams. A 20 – 30km commute might well entail a 1-2 hour nerve-wracking drive with your hands tightly gripping the wheel and you never taking your eyes off the road.

Now when I decide to go into Saint John, a 110-120 km commute, I can plan my departure for any time of the day that best fits with my schedule. Once on the four-lane Route 1 highway I put my car into the cruise control mode and position myself for a relaxing ride. There are never more than 3-4 cars or trucks within my zone. I don’t have a white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel. Although I certainly keep my eyes on the road I can also look around and enjoy the scenery. And I never tire of looking at the Bay of Fundy or the streams and lakes that abut Route 1. Not surprisingly, 45-50 minutes later, I feel relaxed when I arrive at my destinations. There’s no rush. I can take my time to do what needs to be done and am never dreading the return drive home, no matter what the time of day. It’s just another opportunity to get back on Route 1, put my car into cruise control enjoy the scenery and listen to the radio or play a CD all the way home.

Come to Saint Andrews and experience an enjoyable four-lane commute.

Map of St. Andrews New Brunswick

Map of Saint Andrews Downtown

Welcome to the St. Andrews New Brunswick Town Map, your indispensable guide to navigating the enchanting streets and discovering the hidden gems of this historic coastal town. Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty and rich heritage of St. Andrews as you embark on an adventure that blends the old-world charm with modern delights.

This meticulously crafted map is your key to unlocking the wonders that St. Andrews has to offer. From the iconic Algonquin Resort to the breathtaking shores of the Bay of Fundy, every landmark, street, and attraction is thoughtfully plotted to ensure you make the most of your visit.

Take a leisurely stroll through Water Street, the heart of the town, where you’ll find an array of boutique shops, cozy cafés, and local artisans showcasing their talents. Indulge in retail therapy as you browse through charming stores offering unique gifts, souvenirs, and handcrafted treasures that capture the essence of St. Andrews.

Explore the town’s rich history by visiting landmarks such as the Ross Memorial Museum, where you can delve into the fascinating stories that shaped St. Andrews. Wander along the waterfront and soak in the scenic beauty, where you can catch glimpses of the famous St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, a National Historic District.

The map also highlights the diverse culinary scene of St. Andrews, featuring a wide range of dining options to satisfy every palate. From freshly caught seafood to international flavors and farm-to-table delights, you’ll discover a multitude of restaurants, bistros, and pubs offering unforgettable gastronomic experiences.

Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the outdoor wonders surrounding St. Andrews. The map showcases nearby hiking trails, wildlife sanctuaries, and opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, and golfing. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes, where you can connect with nature and experience the tranquility of this coastal haven.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time resident, the St. Andrews New Brunswick Town Map is your trusty companion, ensuring you never miss a beat in this charming town. Let the map be your guide as you navigate the streets, explore the attractions, and create unforgettable memories in St. Andrews, where history, nature, and community come together in perfect harmony.

St. Andrews Town Map 2024

St. Andrews 2023/ 2024 Business Directory

St. Andrews 2023/ 2024 Business Directory Screenshot business directory

Welcome to the St. Andrews New Brunswick Business Directory, your comprehensive guide to the vibrant and thriving businesses in this charming coastal town. Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Bay of Fundy, St. Andrews is renowned for its rich history, natural beauty, and a community that embraces both tradition and innovation.

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, this directory serves as your go-to resource for discovering the diverse range of businesses that call St. Andrews home. From quaint boutiques and artisanal shops to bustling restaurants and cozy cafés, you’ll find a delightful array of establishments offering unique products and services.

Are you in need of a memorable dining experience? Explore our curated selection of restaurants, showcasing delectable local cuisine and international flavors. Seeking a rejuvenating spa treatment or a boutique hotel for a relaxing getaway? Look no further than our directory’s extensive listing of wellness centers and accommodations, each offering top-notch hospitality.

For those with an adventurous spirit, St. Andrews presents a plethora of outdoor activities. Discover local tour operators, kayak rentals, and fishing charters that will help you explore the stunning natural surroundings, including the iconic St. Andrews-by-the-Sea.

Beyond shopping and leisure, our directory also includes essential services such as healthcare providers, financial institutions, and professional services, ensuring that residents and visitors have access to everything they need for a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

We take pride in supporting local businesses and fostering a strong sense of community in St. Andrews. As you browse through our directory, you can be confident that each listing represents a dedicated entrepreneur or service provider who contributes to the town’s economic growth and cultural fabric.

Whether you’re looking to embark on a culinary adventure, find unique gifts, or connect with local professionals, the St. Andrews New Brunswick Business Directory is your trusted companion. We invite you to explore the treasures of our community and experience the warmth and hospitality that define St. Andrews.

St. Andrews Business Directory_2023-2024 (1)

Canada’s Foreign Buyers Ban

Canada's Foreign Buyers Ban buying homes 307683420 1024x730 1

Who’s exempt from Canada’s foreign homebuyers ban? 

Canada’s ban on foreign homebuyers is now in effect, barring commercial enterprises and individuals outside of Canada from buying residential properties in the country. Passed by Parliament in June of last year, the ban officially began on Jan. 1 and will remain in place for two years.

High levels of demand for housing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic prompted average home prices to skyrocket, hitting a national peak of $816,720 in February 2022. Competition within Canadian housing markets also reached new levels, with properties often receiving multiple offers and buyers submitting purchase agreements with few terms and conditions, leading them to assume more risk.

Although average home prices in Canada have since dropped, housing affordability remains a concern among many Canadians. Fuelling some of this anxiety are rising interest rates. Those with variable-rate mortgages are already paying hundreds more per month, compared to early last year. Those with fixed-rate mortgages, who have yet to renew, also say they are “terrified” of rising interest rates.

As the foreign homebuyers ban takes effect in Canada, here’s what you need to know about the regulations.

WHICH PROPERTIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE BAN?

According to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, a residential property includes detached homes or similar buildings, as well as semi-detached houses, rowhouse units, residential condominium units and other similar premises.

The legislation applies to residential properties that are located in a census metropolitan area or a census agglomeration, says the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). A census metropolitan area has a total population of at least 100,000 people, with at least 50,000 living in its core, while a census agglomeration has a core population of at least 10,000 people. The regulations also apply to vacant land that does not have any livable dwellings but is zoned for residential or mixed use.

Homes in municipalities with a core population of less than 10,000 are not subject to the ban, nor are recreational properties such as cottages and lake houses. Additionally, the law does not explicitly ban the purchase of larger buildings with multiple units.

 

WHY IS THE BAN IN EFFECT?

According to the CMHC, the legislation aims to “make homes more affordable” for those living in Canada by cracking down on foreign investment.

“Homes should not be commodities,” Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen said in a press release issued on Dec. 21. “Homes are meant to be lived in, a place where families can lay down roots, create memories and build a life together.”

Housing affordability continues to be a challenge in Canada. Although average home prices have dropped in recent months, an assessment published by the Parliamentary Budget Office in September shows the average cost of a house is 67 per cent more than what the average Canadian household can afford.

A separate report published by Re/Max in September also points to a housing supply crisis in major Canadian metropolitan areas. By limiting foreign investor activity among residential properties, market watchers expect the ban will create new buying opportunities for Canadians by opening up supply.

Despite this, statistics from the CMHC released in 2017 show foreign buyers owned a small percentage of residential properties in different Canadian cities. Additionally, real estate experts have offered mixed reactions to the regulations when it comes to the impact they will have on Canada’s housing market.

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM THE BAN?

Although the legislation targets non-Canadians, there are some exceptions. Those in Canada with temporary work permits are still allowed to buy residential properties, as are refugee claimants and international students who meet certain criteria.

The ban does not apply to those who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, nor does it apply to non-Canadians who are looking to rent a residential property in Canada.

Non-Canadians with a spouse or common-law partner who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, person registered under the Indian Act or refugee are also exempt from the ban.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO BREAK THE RULES?

Non-Canadians who violate the ban can be fined up to $10,000 and may be required to sell the property they purchased. Those who knowingly assist a non-Canadian with their purchase can also be fined.

With files from The Canadian Press  Canada’s housing ban on foreign buyers: What to know | CTV News

READ THE ACT: Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act

Banks sell mortgage insurance, but independent experts say you shouldn’t buy it

Banks sell mortgage insurance, but independent experts say you shouldn’t buy it insurance agents are introducing customers to sign 2021 08 27 09 17 59 utc
Article By Erica Alini  Global News
Personal finance experts are a pretty soft-spoken bunch. It isn’t often that they say they would “never ever” advise buying a certain financial product. But that is exactly what they generally say when asked about mortgage protection insurance, according to Anne Marie Thomas of InsuranceHotline.com, an insurance comparisons site.

Mortgage protection insurance isn’t the mortgage insurance most Canadians are familiar with, the one you need to buy, generally from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), when your down payment is less than 20 per cent of the value of your home. Unlike the better-known mortgage insurance, which protects lenders if homeowners default, mortgage protection insurance is, essentially, a type of life insurance. It covers your mortgage debt if you die or become disabled.

Banks generally try to sell homeowners this type of insurance when they sign up for a new mortgage. Insurance premiums are then seamlessly added to their monthly mortgage payments.

So, what’s not to like about that? A lot, according to Thomas:

1. The payout from mortgage protection insurance shrinks with your mortgage 

These kinds of policies only cover your outstanding debt, meaning the payout gets smaller and smaller as you pay off your mortgage. Insurance premiums, on the other hand, stay the same through the insurance term.

2. You may find out when you file a claim that you aren’t eligible for coverage

Mortgage insurance policies are “typically underwritten after the fact,” noted Thomas. This means that the insurance company will only take a close look at your case once you file a claim. And it may very well find that something in your particular situation violates the insurance contract, which would leave your family without coverage just when they need it most.

If you purchased mortgage protection insurance, comb through your policy carefully to make sure there’s nothing that could potentially exclude you for coverage, advised Thomas.

3. Your might get saddled with higher premiums when you renew your policy

With mortgage protection insurance, you’ll need to renew your policy at the end of your mortgage term, said Thomas. Your new premium will be based on your — now smaller — outstanding mortgage balance, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be paying less. Because you’re a bit older, your premium won’t necessarily go down — in fact, it may go up, Thomas told Global News.

4. Your bank, not your family, pockets the payout

Assuming the claim goes through, mortgage insurance guarantees your family won’t have to worry about mortgage payments if you die or become disabled. In case of death, your beneficiaries can counts on a lump-sum payout that will take care of the outstanding balance, according to Jason Heath of Objective Financial Partners, a fee-only financial planning firm. In case of disability, the policy will generally cover your monthly mortgage payments until the debt is extinguished, he added. But does it make sense to use the money to pay off the mortgage? Not necessarily, said Heath. Perhaps your survivors could have easily eliminated mortgage by selling the house. Or they might have preferred to use the money for other purposes, while keeping up with your mortgage payments. Mortgage protection insurance means any payout will flow out to your mortgage lender, not to you or your family, noted Thomas. And that’s much like CHMC insurance.

Consider plain life insurance instead

Skipping on mortgage protection insurance doesn’t mean you have to go without coverage. Instead, you could buy life insurance, both Thomas and Heath said. With life insurance, your payout remains the same through the term of the policy and the money comes with no strings attached. For example, if you had a $300,000 mortgage and took out a policy for the same amount, your beneficiaries would still receive $300,000 even if you had paid down your mortgage in full by the time the claim is filed. And life insurance is generally much cheaper, too, said Thomas. “It typically could end up costing you half as much,” she said.

Why does anyone get mortgage protection insurance, then?

Many homebuyers, especially those buying their first home, haven’t done enough research to know what they’re getting into, said Thomas. “Generally, the way it’s offered to [homebuyers] is when they’re sitting there, signing a whole bunch of [mortgage] paperwork and they’re bored and they’re starting at the wall,” said Heath. When the bank proposes adding mortgage protection insurance, “for most people, it’s a five-second decision.”

Banking and mortgage industry professionals are often under enormous pressure to sell mortgage insurance, and benefit handsomely through commissions when they do, said Heath. “Your friendly neighbourhood banker is financially motivated to get you to buy mortgage insurance, whether it’s in your best interest or not,” he added. That may be why, a few years back, Heath himself discovered in his first-ever mortgage statement that he was, in fact, paying for mortgage protection insurance even if he had clearly declined coverage. Heath eventually got his lender to cancel the policy and refund the premiums. But many homebuyers aren’t well-informed enough to know they shouldn’t have signed up for the service in the first place.

“Mortgage [protection] insurance is very expensive, but it’s a captive market,” said Heath.
© 2017 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Your Ultimate Guide to St Andrews, New Brunswick

Guide to St. Andrews NB

Your ultimate guide to St Andrews, New Brunswick. Located in the southwestern corner of New Brunswick, St. Andrews is one of the province’s premier seaside destinations. It was established by the United Empire Loyalists in 1783, and by the 1800s it was one of the region’s largest seaports. The early 1900s saw a shift towards tourism, drawing summer vacationers from Montreal and Boston and today St. Andrews has solidified itself as one of the best seaside destinations in Canada.

Often referred to as St Andrews By-the-Sea, the town was designated a National Historic District in 1998. It’s a wonderful blend of old and new. Its history is proudly on display and you’ll find all the amenities summer vacationers look for in a destination.

In partnership with Destination New Brunswick: https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/

✶ FEATURING ✶

◆ Kingsbrae Garden
◆ Huntsman Marine Science Centre / Fundy Discovery Aquarium
◆ Historic Water Street
◆ Katy’s Cove Beach
◆ Minister’s Island
◆ The Algonquin Resort
◆ Algonquin Golf Course
◆ Van Horne Trail

About Cindy Kohler, Broker / Owner

Cindy Kohler Fundy Bay Real Estate

Having lived in the St. Andrews area since her parents decided to escape the hustle of Brampton Ontario in the late 80’s, Cindy fully understands and appreciates the many unique benefits of living in a small seaside town. This personal knowledge of properties in the local market empowers her clients with the ability to make informed decisions.

Cindy specializes in all facets of the Real Estate business – with over 15 years in the industry, coupled with years of experience in internet marketing, graphic design, and office administration, she works hard to be on the leading edge of her profession by continuously taking educational courses and expanding her skillset.

As owner and broker of record of this independent boutique firm, Cindy can tailor her services to your needs. She takes the time to learn what you are looking for and then uses her attention to detail and caring, easy-going personality to help guide you through the buying or selling experience.

When Cindy isn’t in the office or volunteering her services for community events, you will find her flying her drone or out with her camera photographing the beauty of St. Andrews by the Sea and enjoying time with family and friends.

Licensed REALTOR®
CLHMS™ – Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
CRB – Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager
RENE – Real Estate Negotiation Expert
e-PRO® Real Estate Internet Professional
Transport Canada Certified Drone Pilot, RPAS
NAR – National Association of REALTORS® International Member