When Canadians think “holiday” they’re thinking a cottage in Muskoka or an exotic locale on one of Europe’s Riviera destinations, or maybe the gold-standard of summer holidays: the Hamptons. Not many of us realize that the ideal summer holiday can be had much closer to home, and for much less than you would expect. Yes, Nova Scotia is a well kept secret, and there are many Nova Scotia properties in idyllic locations that can even be used all year ’round. All this, and you don’t even have to leave the country. Well, you may want to on occasion, and that’s fine, but you can have it all here in Canada. Really.

Whether you want to build from the ground up, or buy one of many existing properties in Nova Scotia, the choice is yours. There are plots of land available, as well as charming homes in place like Charles Island, Crichton Island, English Cove and Olding Island. Many are easily accessible from Halifax and Sydney, making them ideal for long weekends, or extended stays. Many Nova Scotia property owners are already planning for retirement by transitioning their hectic urban lives to tranquil existences in many of the quaint coastal communities. Even Americans and Europeans are discovering all Nova Scotia has to offer. With the global economy still struggling to recover from the current recession, those in the know are snapping up properties to get away from all the financial stressors they’re dealing with. And what better place to do so than in a place where the easy going life is de rigueur.

Now is the time to dip your toe in the water by planning a summer excursion to see all this picturesque province has to offer. You can “try before you buy” by considering a rental for a couple of weeks, or you can go for it by contacting one of Nova Scotia’s many reputable realtors. If you’re desperately in need of a low-key getaway, and you don’t want to deal with the same-old, same-old in cottage country, consider a change of scenery; consider property in Nova Scotia. Check out www.nova-scotia-property.ca for more information.

Amber Brown is a writer whose areas of expertise include Nova Scotia Property and finding the perfect destination for her yearly summer holiday. She’ll be kicking back in English Cove for a few weeks this summer. Her work appears in many magazines and on well-known Web sites. Her musings regularly appear on a number of high-profile blogs.