Sitting quietly in Nova Scotia, on the eastern coast of Canada, the island of Cape Breton measures 10,311 square kilometres in area and the landscape ranges from rocky shores to rolling farmland and glacial valleys to mountains and woodland. It is precisely this unspoilt landscape that has won the island many admirers.

Cape Breton has been rated one of the island paradises for 2008 by travel website Fodors; it has also been recognised as one of the world's friendliest islands by Conde Naste magazine, while National Geographic magazine rated it one of its 'places of a lifetime'. The island is also noted as having one of the best golf courses (the Highlands Links) worldwide by Golf Digest magazine. So, though you may not have heard of Cape Breton until now, it doesn't mean it isn't worth considering. "Cape Breton is a unique destination far from city pressures and crowds," says Brad MacDonald of Cape Breton Resorts. "Its parklands, rivers, beaches and remarkable breadth of terrain and vistas remains a source of pride and delight to Cape Bretoners and visitors alike."

The island sounds like an idyllic location, but this means nothing to investors if the market conditions are not favourable. "They stopped making places in the world like Cape Breton a long time ago," comments MacDonald. "The property market has been very stable as of late with key areas becoming hot spots and seeing a renewed interest from those who know her best – Cape Bretoners." There are opportunities to buy into the 'good life' and Cape Breton's unspoilt landscape with property purchases on the island. "There are now some very large acreages available in the valleys," explains MacDonald. "Whether it is a farm steeped in history, an architect's visionary home or a simple cabin amongst the firs, Cape Breton offers a surprisingly varied breadth of properties."

The main concern for anyone considering the purchase of a North American property at present is how the US 'credit crunch' is likely to affect their investment. So, has Cape breton suffered? "Not in the least," MacDonald enthuses. "The affordability of the property makes buying in the area a valued decision. In fact, if nothing else, the credit crunch elsewhere has allowed different markets to see the benefits of calling Cape Breton home. Domination of the US dollar in the past has left some destinations unmarketable. Now, we are in the midst of a new influx of those who come for a vacation and put down roots that make financial and personal sense."

Those in search of an escape from the hustle and bustle may well find their paradise on Cape Breton.

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Article published July 2008