Why Live in Chelsea?

The first question everyone asks is "Isn't it expensive to live in Quebec?". The answer (as with everything) is "it depends". Quebec personal income tax is currently higher than Ontario personal income tax. However, this is offset by lower property and school taxes, lower hydro costs, lower auto insurance and lower home prices (and therefore lower mortgage payments). Over the past several years my wife and I have calculated that living in Quebec costs us a few hundred dollars per year more than if we lived in a comparable house/location in Ontario (this may change now that Premier McGuinty is in Ontario and Premier Charest is running Quebec!). For us, a few hundred dollars per year is a small price to pay for living 12 minutes from downtown Ottawa and 2-3 minutes away from Gatineau Park. Also, the house is located at the back corner of a well-treed lot and is very private. Lying in the hammock (with the requisite single malt scotch and cigar) in the back yard feels more like being at a cottage than at a house (two houses for the price of one!).

What's so special about Chelsea? Chelsea is a small bilingual community, but has many nice features. The local pub, Chelsea's, is near the top of the list, but still comes behind our favorite restaurant, L'Oree du Bois. If you like fine dining at a reasonable price, you've got to try it! (people always ask about the Les Fougeres restaurant which is just around the corner from the house, it is an excellent restaurant, but we still prefer L'Oree du Bois!). Aside from the many local shops and restaurants (homemade gelato being another personal favourite), Chelsea is perfectly situated on the edge of Gatineau Park. 2-3 minutes and you can mountain bike, cross-country ski, hike, canoe/kayak, swim, golf, or downhill ski/snowboard. If you like outdoor activities, but don't like to drive forever to get there, then Chelsea is your kind of place.