Nova Scotia

Find Nova Scotia on a map – in the North Atlantic, east of Maine – and “paradise” won’t be the first thing that comes to mind. But don’t let Nova Scotia’s northern latitude deceive you. Come wintertime, the Gulf Stream keeps the climate relatively mild, meaning the area gets more rain than snow. Only two hours from New York or Boston, Nova Scotia feels more like the British Isles than part of eastern Canada.

This largely underdeveloped outpost has everything an active and adventurous man could yearn for: hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fly-fishing, hunting, golfing, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, surfing and skiing. Imagine the natural beauty and laid-back pace of New England 100 years ago, and you get a good sense of Nova Scotia. Almost completely surrounded by water, it is best known for its picture postcard coastline, quaint fishing villages, historic European architecture and friendly people. But, the province’s crown jewel is Cape Breton Island, which is a quarter the size of mainland Nova Scotia. Deeply steeped in a strong Scottish heritage, the island has spectacular highlands, secluded beaches, and the idyllic Bras d’Or Lake (pronounced “bra door”), summer home to Canadian and European vacationers and the haunt of nesting bald eagles.

Not only is Nova Scotia a prime tourist destination, but a low cost of living and innexpensive Nova Scotian real estate makes it an attractive full-time escape.

One-acre oceanfront lots sale for as little as $10,000 (or a three-bedroom home on 5 acres for $50,000). A three-course lobster dinner with a few beers or a bottle of local wine set you back no more than twenty bucks. All this, and Cuban cigars (the real McCoy) are legally sold here, plus the female companionship and nightlife isn’t bad either. Scenes of the blockbuster Titanic were shot in Nova Scotia, and celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Billy Joel maintain hideaways here. Why not join them?