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You
don't have to be a reclusive billionaire hiding
away in a tropical paradise to own an
islands anymore.
It's
possible to find actual islands for sale in
Ontario and off the coast of British Columbia,
just waiting for the right owner to come along.
"There's something magical about owning an
islands by yourself," says Victoria-based Peter
Nash, realtor and founder of Newport Realty, who
sells island properties on his website
bcgulfislands.com.
"Once
you sleep on an island, you'll never be
quite the same."
The
cost of buying your own island can vary widely.
Nash lists one private island, Scott Island, at
$4.9 million. An undeveloped island, Bute
Island, is available for $1.1 million, or
not much more than a luxury top-of-the-line
condo in Canmore.
If
that sounds a little steep, "we have also
got individual properties on islands like
little Secret Island and Wise Island," says
Nash. "You have your own private section and
it's still like having your own island because
not everyone is on top of you. Some of
these properties have their own docks and some
don't.
"It's
a less expensive option- you can get such
properties for prices like $420,000 and
$580,000."
Of
course, he adds, having your own private island
requires you to have access to a boat or
seaplane, and some islands are completely
undeveloped- the ultimate "fixer-upper".
Many
of the properties Nash deals with are in the
Gulf Islands, and around the major islands of
Saltspring and Galiano, all within relatively
close proximity to Victoria, Nanaimo and
Vancouver.
Nash
says islands vary widely in terms of what
services (if any) are available, which can
appeal to recreation property owners who truly
want to escape from civilization.
"People will buy an island and say, 'what do I
do with it?'" he says. "Some of the smaller
islands have no services, so it does become a
bit of a Survivor thing, but some people seem to
enjoy that. They want a totally different
lifestyle, with no phones and power by
generator.
"I
sold part of an island, and the people who lived
there brought over their own water and propane -
they liked the challenge."
But
it's not for everyone, Nash adds. "You'll get
people who come from the big city and they just
can't relate (to the island)- they want the
city."
Other
island options are available to buyers seeking a
true escape. The Queen Charlotte Islands are
starting to gain in popularity, for example,
says Rudy Nielsen, president of NIHO Land &
Cattle Co. of New Westminster, B.C.
"When
you go to the Queen Charlottes, it's
unbelievable what your see," he says.
"There are no cellphones, no McDonald's and no
Burger Kings. The Haida out there are some of
the most talented woodcarvers in the world. You
can rent a boat and you'll come back with your
limit in salmon and halibut."
Nielsen, who is currently developing ocean-front
lots in the island chain, says he gets a lot of
interest from Alberta.
"About half of the license plates I see are from
Alberta." |
