Cottage prices in Canadian hotspots

By Romana King on July 10, 2015
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Science tells us they're great for our well-being. Here's a how much a cottage will set you back

According to a recent poll by Leger and commissioned by Re/Max almost 70% of Canadians would prefer a long weekend at a cottage than a big-city adventure. Whew. Glad we got that sorted. But really, this doesn’t come as a surprise, does it? I mean we are a country of backyards. We relish the idea of relaxing in our own backyard oasis or a retreat into semi-wilderness at a cottage or cabin. Bluntly and with a very broad brush I will state: We are a nation of cold water, chilled drinks, lawn chairs and swim trunks. And that’s a good thing. According to the 2015 Harvard Happiness study, even 20 minutes outside on a nice, sunny day can deliver huge advantages. It not only “boosts positive mood, but broadened thinking and improved working memory.” On the flip side, the less “negative TV we watch—specifically violent media—the happier we are.” Of course, cottages in Canada are getting pricey. Muskoka is now coined The Hamptons of Ontario, while areas in B.C. are hitting the $1 million dollar mark. Below are the median prices for premium cottage spots. 2015 & 2014 Median Prices (Large Markets)

Region	Housing Type	2015 Median Price	2014 Median Price	Year-Over-Year (%)
Whistler	Chalet	$1,315,000	$1,250,000	+5.2%
Collingwood	Non-Waterfront	$327,910	$300,209	+9.2%
Wasaga	Non-Waterfront	$295,658	$279,805	+5.6%
Haliburton	Non-Waterfront	$267,400	$251,000	+6.5%
Muskoka	Waterfront	$429,000	$405,000	+5.9%
Peterborough & The Kawarthas	Waterfront	$515,700	$403,000	+27.9%*
PEI (Coast)	Waterfront	$110,388	$110,596	0%

Source: 2015 Leger, Re/Max poll While a cottage purchase isn’t in my budget, we do have a great deck and backyard, as well as other options. So, if you don’t mind, I’m turning off the TV and packing up the kids. We’re heading out to the grandparent’s compound, where we have 25 acres of wooded wonderland, and a big cedar deck to sit and enjoy the view. Bring on Canada’s ticket to happiness.

Cottage prices in Canadian hotspots

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