Lunenburg, NS

There's talk on the South Shore about the Recession, and whether it has effected us very much...When Moving to Nova Scotia, even part-time, you notice 3 things first off. The stunning scenery, the low-key people, and the architectural gems. Check out this video clip that's an example of our Lifestyle instead of consumerism. It was created by Christopher Walters of "Nike commercial and Canadian awards" fame. (Compare it to the usual Tourism and canned house tour quality!)

Actually, the Blair House above is one of the most photographed homes in Lunenburg. It was built in 1828. Of the Georgian Period, this Cape still has all its original features inside. There are 3 large working fireplaces and a cool circular stairway. A private back yard is a perk in a town organized in 1783. The home is situated in the centre of Lunenburg`s acclaimed United Nations Economic Scientific and Cultural Organization heritage district.

Old Town Lunenburg has over 250 years of Maritime traditions. The way of life is artistically demo'd by the Fisheries Museum, in reclaimed fish stores and factories. A new carpentry school teaches craftspeople skills to create and maintain "the architectural details that are so outstanding in this seaside town. Galleries, cafes, inns and shops are housed along the waterfront and on the pretty hillside overlooking the harbour" according to Pat Price who has this affordable home listed currently.

The marine industry still remains part of the economy here. There is a good hospital, all the needed services as well as places to host many events: music, festivals, theatre, fairs etc. Lunenburg is only an hour from Halifax with it's active nightlife and shopping. Our rural economy just gurgles along quietly in the background.

Want to escape your Rat Race and come alive on the South Shore? Check out my other blogs for more photos, and talk to you soon!

~Bettina

PS> to get to: Moving to Nova Scotia? part 1 and 2, click the link below or copy and paste it into your browser

http://bgouthrogrunwald.wordpress.com

Lunenburg Nova Scotia is known worldwide for its real estate. Established by european settlers over the last 257+ years, the architecture is a combination of early colonial, Georgian, Victorian and modern. Although Mi'kmaq (native Canadians) and Acadians (French colonists) had long resided in the area, the first formal colonization of Lunenburg began in 1753 when a group of German, Swiss and Monbéliard immigrants, called "Foreign Protestants" were enticed here to fortify the British presence in Nova Scotia. They were meant to counter the Catholic residents who might have a conflict of interest regarding loyalty...

The town was planned as a grid of streets and blocks, each with 14 house lots, and spaces for park and fortifications. This organization and continued maintenance of its historic architecture, gave Old Town district of Lunenburg world heritage status from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1995! Tourists, seasonal residents, and locals all enjoy this beauty still today.

Outside Lunenburg town limits, larger lots were also laid out for the settlers in the area still known as Garden Lots. This is not to be confused with the small garden lots that were granted to the settlers for agriculture east of the Town, and large plots of 30 and 300 acres in the "hinterlands" (now inhabited by Nova Scotians for generations). Here are photos of the coastal pastureland where people farmed, fished, and built modest communities; it now is prime development land.

A 1950's 'doll house' that enjoys these cottage water views is for sale in this area, at the time of this writing. Being just outside the Town of Lunenburg there are also lower county taxes. Nature lovers would have wetland wildlife to watch and pastoral surroundings. With its rolling small field, there is also a trickling brook, a skating pond, and an orchard with a multi-species apple and pear trees.

Please visit ThinkNovaScotia.com if you'd like other examples. Garden Lots is only minutes to Blue Rocks and Mahone Bay, which are treasures as well. As for value, that cottage would need some TLC to bring out its loveliness, so it's priced to sell . . . and who knows, you might time it right to see the tallship Bluenose II sail by in the distant harbour.

(This is a replica sailing ship, of the successful racing schooner found on the Canadian dime.) For more images of of the Bluenose homeport of Lunenburg, please click this link or paste it into your internet browser's address bar: http://bgouthrogrunwald.wordpress.com/

Bon Voyage

~Bettina

Community involvement in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia is very strong. People pull together to accomplish a great many things. Besides the art, music festivals, and heritage tours, a new festivity hit the scene this winter: a boat themed Christmas Parade. For in Lunenburg, Santa arrives by Boat.

Now normally Santa arrives on a trawler in the harbour and it happens around St. Nicholas Day (a celebration in keeping with the Germanic heritage in Lunenburg). Claussen Walters and Associates started the first St. Nicholas fest years ago. Rumour has it there were european livestock in addition to a saucy St. Nick.

This time the Lunenburg Board of Trade wanted to freshen up the concept, and suggested floats made of Doreys. These are special rowboats used by fishermen, yes I did not say fisherpersons. Fishers? The boats are often buff yellow, and they are visible in the fog.

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Just check out the harbourfront buildings in Lunenburg and see how lively the colours are:

So these solid wooden boats were propelled through the hilly streets of Lunenburg in an outrageous parade of holiday spirit. There were mermaid elves and victorian carollers. The Rotary Club of Lunenburg underwrote the production, as their insurance covered non-profit events.

In all, the weather held long enough to do another parade in Bridgewater, for the Lahave River Valley Christmas Festival. But that's another post

Bettina Gouthro Grunwald

REALTOR(R) at Claussen Walters and Associates Ltd.

www.thinkNovaScotia.com