We just signed the last papers and closing is in a few days, but we bought a piece of land on the NB island I'm from, land that what we were looking for off and on for many years.
It's 8 acres, borders a Provincially significant wetland all along one side and also has just over 300 feet of waterfront on the Bay of Chaleur at the end. The setback for building anything along the wetland is 100 feet (30m), but it's at least 290 feet wide, 250 at it's narrowest, so still plenty of room.
Views are great if you like nature, trees, birds, wetlands, etc. It's on a backroad so not much traffic, I think we're going to have a 700 foot driveway through a spruce and cherry tree forest.
(https://i.postimg.cc/3JJHYYkc/IMG-20250928-131526032-AE.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/66F11Krs/IMG-20250926-185152199-AE.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RZW5JdLz/IMG-20250928-135201831-AE.jpg)
We have a sand dune.
Wow, thats a really neat spot of land. Congrats!
Very nice, looks like a beautiful spot. Is the plan to build something and live there full-time? Or more of a second/vacation property?
Spectacular!! Wow!!
Any good fishing?
Quote from: Firm on Oct 03, 2025, 01:26 AMVery nice, looks like a beautiful spot. Is the plan to build something and live there full-time? Or more of a second/vacation property?
We think we are going to sell our cottage in Ontario and it'll finance building one here. Not sure exactly what we want so have some planning to do. For now I think we are going to get a driveway and power in and maybe just have a travel trailer there for a year or so while planning.
Anyone know how much it costs to run power about 700 feet in NB?
We don't know how much time we'd spend here if we had a house, but it would be a lot more.
Quote from: RRocket on Oct 03, 2025, 05:58 AMSpectacular!! Wow!!
Any good fishing?
You can catch striped bass off the beach, dig bar clams and quahogs a bit further down the beach and also catch mackerel from the point under the bridge about 2km down.
We've so far found 6 types of berries on the property. When I was a kid it was mostly a big field, now it's covered in spruce trees, I could sell a lot of Christmas trees.
Congrats. I know that exact spot. Pretty much the heart of Acadia. You'll have to brush up on your french.
My family on my Dad's side all pretty much come from a little ways North of Baie des Chaleurs, specifically Cap Des Rosiers.
Very nice and peaceful looking. I live in NB but I rarely make my way up that area.
We have friends who own a cottage close to the PEI bridge, can see NS and the Island. Always a nice time when we visit.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Oct 03, 2025, 04:20 PMCongrats. I know that exact spot. Pretty much the heart of Acadia. You'll have to brush up on your french.
My family on my Dad's side all pretty much come from a little ways North of Baie des Chaleurs, specifically Cap Des Rosiers.
Interesting. Have you been to Miscou? On a clear day we can see Ile Bonaventure from the lighthouse. Also, is your ancestry from the Channel Islands? Mine is, 3 brothers came to Canada, one to Miscou and the other two went to Gaspe area around Coin-du-Banc IIRC.
Quote from: Johnnymac on Oct 03, 2025, 06:26 PMVery nice and peaceful looking. I live in NB but I rarely make my way up that area.
We have friends who own a cottage close to the PEI bridge, can see NS and the Island. Always a nice time when we visit.
We'll have camping spots if you want to visit. In a couple of years we might have a chalet to rent, not sure.
Quote from: blur911 on Oct 04, 2025, 09:20 AMQuote from: Johnnymac on Oct 03, 2025, 06:26 PMVery nice and peaceful looking. I live in NB but I rarely make my way up that area.
We have friends who own a cottage close to the PEI bridge, can see NS and the Island. Always a nice time when we visit.
We'll have camping spots if you want to visit. In a couple of years we might have a chalet to rent, not sure.
Oh we don't camp, but if you do get a chalet or something that could be a nice spot to explore as a home base on vacation.
Quote from: Johnnymac on Oct 04, 2025, 11:46 AMQuote from: blur911 on Oct 04, 2025, 09:20 AMQuote from: Johnnymac on Oct 03, 2025, 06:26 PMVery nice and peaceful looking. I live in NB but I rarely make my way up that area.
We have friends who own a cottage close to the PEI bridge, can see NS and the Island. Always a nice time when we visit.
We'll have camping spots if you want to visit. In a couple of years we might have a chalet to rent, not sure.
Oh we don't camp, but if you do get a chalet or something that could be a nice spot to explore as a home base on vacation.
It would be a fantastic spot for birdwatchers, if anyone is into that. I just saw a Belted Kingfisher there grabbing lunch.
We'll only have camping until we get some infrastructure, not even a driveway yet. I've been there a couple of times cutting brush, but there are a lot of trees that have to go.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xCVctZJX/IMG-20251011-163309943-HDR-AE.jpg)
Blazing a trail that's going to become the driveway. Wow but these spruce trees grow fast, this one is only about 40 years old. We got about halfway or better so far, my cousin is going to collect the firewood and is giving me a hand. Another guy I know operates a heavy duty mulcher, we're going to get him to go through and make the actual driveway.
Dang, that looks like a lot of work. I've dealt with a couple trees that size and it's no joke. That's a serious saw too.
Yep, that's real work right there!
Quote from: Firm on Oct 11, 2025, 10:37 PMDang, that looks like a lot of work. I've dealt with a couple trees that size and it's no joke. That's a serious saw too.
We're were just cutting enough to see that we were going straight with the driveway, but then got into the thick stuff and my cousin decided it was good enough for some firewood so we started putting it aside and cutting up some bigger trees as they'd just go to waste if the mulcher came through.
Problem with these spruce trees is the crazy amount of large limbs, you have to cut all them before you even get near the trunk and then you're tripping over them until you mulch or burn them.
Beautiful spot blur, that would be a dream for me. Looking forward to reading about your progress, regardless of how fast or slow it is.
Very cool, congrats on the purchase! Looking forward to following this thread for all the updates and progress.
I have a driveway, well, about 20 feet of driveway.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SRstJy7G/IMG-20251014-123355561-AE.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/1tqfHNzp/IMG-20251014-133636703-AE.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tg9Z9g2g/IMG-20251016-173244600-AE.jpg)
It helps to have a friend with a dump trailer and tractor. Total cost $800
Awesome!!
I can't wait to come fish there! :)
Sweet!
Quote from: RRocket on Oct 16, 2025, 09:35 PMAwesome!!
I can't wait to come fish there! :)
I just watched a guy reel in three mackerel on a rod, all at once, landed them all.
It'll be fun
It's interesting that those deer look identical to the ones we have here in SW Tennessee, very different conditions, same deer. We have them hanging out like that in our yard daily.
Quote from: Firm on Oct 25, 2025, 10:51 PMIt's interesting that those deer look identical to the ones we have here in SW Tennessee, very different conditions, same deer. We have them hanging out like that in our yard daily.
They're all whitetail deer.
When I was growing up here there were no deer or moose on the island. The moose started coming back here about 20 years ago, deer a bit more recently. I still haven't seen any deer here in real life, just on my trail-cam. Moose are fairly common to see.
It's our last night on the island, heading back to Ontario tomorrow. We don't really want to leave this time.
I have a driveway. It's a Christmas Miracle!
Quote from: blur911 on Dec 27, 2025, 03:54 PMI have a driveway. It's a Christmas Miracle!
Sweeeeet!!
Nice, that's a serious piece of equipment right there.
Quote from: Firm on Dec 27, 2025, 10:42 PMNice, that's a serious piece of equipment right there.
I wish I could have seen it working, I don't even know what it really looks like. My brother wanted to get some drone shots of it, but it was too windy.
Anyhow, 700 foot driveway and about 1/4 acre cleared at the end, 2 hours @ $600/hr. (I might have gotten a deal)
So, design us a cottage.
We have a bit of a change of sequence of the development. We now want a small cottage first, as near the beach as possible, which is about 300 feet past where we want the 'bigger'cottage and garage.
We think 16'x28', maybe 30', with a loft over half of it, is a good size. I've seen a lot of floorplans, none of which work overall, but we can take parts of them and piece something together.
This is about closest so far; https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1537728379/16x28-modern-cabin-house-plans-tiny
...but with a bit more roof pitch and less windows, etc.
Looks cozy, would be nice right near the beach. Would give you a spot to stay while you work on the bigger building too. Could you get a trailer in there? I've seen some pretty nice new trailers, if I had a property like that I'd seriously consider one as a quick way to get something setup.
Quote from: blur911 on Feb 27, 2026, 09:46 PMSo, design us a cottage.
We have a bit of a change of sequence of the development. We now want a small cottage first, as near the beach as possible, which is about 300 feet past where we want the 'bigger'cottage and garage.
We think 16'x28', maybe 30', with a loft over half of it, is a good size. I've seen a lot of floorplans, none of which work overall, but we can take parts of them and piece something together.
This is about closest so far; https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1537728379/16x28-modern-cabin-house-plans-tiny
...but with a bit more roof pitch and less windows, etc.
Almost sounds like you want a large version of a Bunkie.
Quote from: Firm on Feb 28, 2026, 09:27 PMLooks cozy, would be nice right near the beach. Would give you a spot to stay while you work on the bigger building too. Could you get a trailer in there? I've seen some pretty nice new trailers, if I had a property like that I'd seriously consider one as a quick way to get something setup.
Due to wetland setbacks we can only get within about 300 feet of the beach, but that's mostly across a field and bit of water jutting into it. I wouldn't really want to get closer even if allowed.
We looked at a trailer, they're made so flimsy and badly that they're not very inspiring to buy. Some of the 'destination trailer' models are pretty nice, but are $75k used...that goes a long way towards building something permanent. Just don't like them much.
I'm gonna try and convince my wife to get our GMC motorhome out there (after some local test drives)...maybe.
Quote from: RRocket on Feb 28, 2026, 11:47 PMQuote from: blur911 on Feb 27, 2026, 09:46 PMSo, design us a cottage.
We have a bit of a change of sequence of the development. We now want a small cottage first, as near the beach as possible, which is about 300 feet past where we want the 'bigger'cottage and garage.
We think 16'x28', maybe 30', with a loft over half of it, is a good size. I've seen a lot of floorplans, none of which work overall, but we can take parts of them and piece something together.
This is about closest so far; https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1537728379/16x28-modern-cabin-house-plans-tiny
...but with a bit more roof pitch and less windows, etc.
Almost sounds like you want a large version of a Bunkie.
Kinda...we want it big enough to live in without getting claustraphobic, but still not spend a fortune. Eventually we hope to use it for visiting family or rental.
Quote from: blur911 on Mar 02, 2026, 06:45 PMQuote from: Firm on Feb 28, 2026, 09:27 PMLooks cozy, would be nice right near the beach. Would give you a spot to stay while you work on the bigger building too. Could you get a trailer in there? I've seen some pretty nice new trailers, if I had a property like that I'd seriously consider one as a quick way to get something setup.
Due to wetland setbacks we can only get within about 300 feet of the beach, but that's mostly across a field and bit of water jutting into it. I wouldn't really want to get closer even if allowed.
We looked at a trailer, they're made so flimsy and badly that they're not very inspiring to buy. Some of the 'destination trailer' models are pretty nice, but are $75k used...that goes a long way towards building something permanent. Just don't like them much.
I'm gonna try and convince my wife to get our GMC motorhome out there (after some local test drives)...maybe.
I was wondering if you still had that motorhome. Might make a good temporary solution.
I don't supposed you'd ever consider doing something with shipping containers? I've seen quite a few different cottage/tiny house plans using them. If nothing else they can be handy for secure storage on the property.
There's a number of different shed/bunkie builders around NB/NS that can build you what you are looking for if you were thinking about building something more traditional and permanent. We got a quote from one for a 16X25 "senior suite" that had one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area, completely finished for $75K, you'd just need to sort out the foundation, well and septic, and you'd be in business.
Quote from: Johnnymac on Mar 03, 2026, 09:42 AMI don't supposed you'd ever consider doing something with shipping containers? I've seen quite a few different cottage/tiny house plans using them. If nothing else they can be handy for secure storage on the property.
There's a number of different shed/bunkie builders around NB/NS that can build you what you are looking for if you were thinking about building something more traditional and permanent. We got a quote from one for a 16X25 "senior suite" that had one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area, completely finished for $75K, you'd just need to sort out the foundation, well and septic, and you'd be in business.
Sea containers are handy, we have a 20-foot one right now in Kingston. I don't like the look of cottages made from them though, some of the bigger ones made into cottages look ok, but I find the smaller ones look like sea containers.
Our builder is a guy who retired from building homes in Quebec and lives just down the road, he takes on smaller projects so he can support his boating. There's a language barrier, but we're sorting it out. His prices seem pretty reasonable.
I just wish the septic and electrical guys would call me back...
We might have to build a shed to connect power to, then distribute from there. So, run a 200 amp service in about 700 feet to a shed, probably about 8'x12' then TECK cable underground out to the cottage another 300 feet further.
Electric hookup gonna be expen$ive.
I originally asked if solar, batteries, and inverters were worth looking at but based on 200A service, I'm guessing your electrical needs are quite high.
Beautiful property btw.
Pre-fab is getting really trendy, and much nicer than in the "double wide" era:
https://bonneville.ca/en/residential-catalog/micro-loft (https://bonneville.ca/en/residential-catalog/micro-loft)
(https://bonneville-s3.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_none_ns/4707/modele-bonzai-rdc-plan.webp)
Prefab has not been a dirty word for awhile now.
Quote from: dkazzed on Mar 03, 2026, 02:06 PMI originally asked if solar, batteries, and inverters were worth looking at but based on 200A service, I'm guessing your electrical needs are quite high.
Beautiful property btw.
Planning on also adding a garage and a small house to the 200A distribution. If we were just doing the small cottage alone I'd consider off-grid, but with everything it'll be a lot. I want to eventually mess around with solar and maybe wind, but to supplement.
I don't know if they even do smaller services, I think 200A is minimum in Ontario
Quote from: Blueprint on Mar 03, 2026, 04:05 PMPre-fab is getting really trendy, and much nicer than in the "double wide" era:
https://bonneville.ca/en/residential-catalog/micro-loft
Some of those are really nice. I'd like to incorporate some sort of loft or raised deck at least to get a better view, none of those have go up at all. I have some designs I'm working on, will see if they're feasible. Local place does trusses, floors, modular walls, will see what they say.
Discussed it and think we're going to put the GMC motorhome for sale.
It might be more trouble than it's worth to try and use it in NB, we also wouldn't want to have it permanently parked next to the ocean to rust away. We're apparently not motorhome people...
We have a lot of downsizing in Ontario to do. Some can go to NB, but I want to sell a lot of stuff.
We are heading to the island next week. I hear there's still snow up there right now, might have to plow the driveway.
After submitting plans and much discussion the Department of Environment has approved our site plan for where we want our beach shack. She was concerned about the wetland possibly being bigger than what it appears on the map. I found a LiDAR map showing where we wanted it was actually the higher ground in the area and she had to agree. So we got our "you don't need a permit because you're not encroaching on the wetland you can't encroach on" approval.
We are probably going to put our Eastern Ontario cottage up for sale, but we have to get it 'ready', so wife is putting that off. We got a HELOC we can use to go forward until then.
Is the plan to have a structure up this season to start enjoying the land a bit more? Glad you were able to get through the bit of red tape to get some approval.
Quote from: Johnnymac on Apr 29, 2026, 10:55 AMIs the plan to have a structure up this season to start enjoying the land a bit more?
We plan on going for about a month this time, maybe another month in September. This month we'll try to clear a further driveway and the spot where the beach shack and septic will be, maybe get a well in. We'll order the prefab walls and stuff for assembly in September and get it erected and closed in then.
At least that's the rough plans so far...
Quote from: blur911 on Apr 29, 2026, 03:18 PMQuote from: Johnnymac on Apr 29, 2026, 10:55 AMIs the plan to have a structure up this season to start enjoying the land a bit more?
We plan on going for about a month this time, maybe another month in September. This month we'll try to clear a further driveway and the spot where the beach shack and septic will be, maybe get a well in. We'll order the prefab walls and stuff for assembly in September and get it erected and closed in then.
At least that's the rough plans so far...
Sweeet!
I think that's all very doable and certainly will make it easier to enjoy the property more. Looking forward to hearing about your developments over the coming months.
Wow, that's a nice spot in a beautiful area! Congrats! Let me know if you ever build a rental and the wife and I will book a couple of nights. Maybe longer. ;D
We just arrived on the island. There's still snow in places here.
(https://i.postimg.cc/pX6TtBpw/IMG-20260508-161407479-HDR-AE.jpg)
I just saw a snowy owl. Also at least half-dozen osprey.
Quote from: blur911 on May 11, 2026, 12:56 PMI just saw a snowy owl. Also at least half-dozen osprey.
That's awesome!
What's always been shocking to me is how hard Osprey hit the water when grabbing a fish.
Quote from: RRocket on May 11, 2026, 01:24 PMQuote from: blur911 on May 11, 2026, 12:56 PMI just saw a snowy owl. Also at least half-dozen osprey.
That's awesome!
What's always been shocking to me is how hard Osprey hit the water when grabbing a fish.
You'd like to see the gannets diving then, they're even faster. Also sometimes hundreds of them
I yanked out about 30-40 small trees yesterday using a tool called a brush grubber, it clamps on the tree trunk and works pretty well. Pulled out some that were over 4" diameter. I'm seriously considering getting a cheap tractor (if that exists) as it would come in very handy and probably work better than my Pilot. Got about 50 feet done of the 300 or so I need to clear for the extended driveway.
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5jxhSM7/IMG-20260513-135126262-AE.jpg)
On bigger trees I looped the chain over my spare trailer tire to help pull up instead of just sideways, seems to help.
(https://i.postimg.cc/x8K1fnjg/IMG-20260513-135240529-AE.jpg)
That's a lot of heavy work...God Speed. 8) I've got a much smaller area I need to clear for my shop build and I am dreading it.
That's a pretty neat little rig to pull out small trees. All this work will be worth it one day when it's all done and you're fully enjoying the property.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9MWVBtwY/fe65dd1a-5ea5-4088-8ddf-6b46206f987c.jpg)
This should be better for pulling out trees...
Quote from: Johnnymac on May 14, 2026, 10:03 AMThat's a pretty neat little rig to pull out small trees. All this work will be worth it one day when it's all done and you're fully enjoying the property.
The brush-grubber works fairly well, but I found that just wrapping the chain around works just as well on spruce trees. I also have Brush-Grubber brand type of choke chain that's good for pulling out smaller stuff.
On Saturday I managed to poke myself in the eye with a spruce branch, it's finally feeling ok, but I took a few days off to shop for a tractor and let my eye heal.
I was ready to spend $20k on a small tractor, but then I found this old Massey Ferguson and got it for $4k, seems to be all I need right now and I can add a 3-point hitch type backhoe if I want.
Quote from: blur911 on May 19, 2026, 05:29 PM(https://i.postimg.cc/9MWVBtwY/fe65dd1a-5ea5-4088-8ddf-6b46206f987c.jpg)
This should be better for pulling out trees...
No offense to the mighty Pilot, bur that MF is quite the beast, and at $4k, a really good deal. Congrats.
YES, That's awesome. Bonus points for the bucket, and extra bonus points for the snow blower attachment.
I don't think you can do much better than that for $4k. The bonus is non of the emission BS that can make these problematic to keep working.
If you need a machine bigger than that you might want to think about a professional doing the work, or at least that's what I would tell myself.
Leaving to go back to Ontario tomorrow. Didn't get everything we wanted accomplished, but adding all that lenght to the driveway took some time. I've cleared a place at the end, but will probably have to expand it.
Still trying to decide on a design for the cottage.
Still trying to figure out what to do for septic.
Will need a shed with a roof designed for solar panels as well, think it'll be about 100' from the cottage and probably about 10x24 or so, it'll also house the solar batteries and other electrics, maybe have the well there and bury pipe and power to go to the cottage.
Also pondering whether we should or should not seek permits and approvals, or just not tell and build it, which often seems to work out here.
F@#k the government! Build what you want.