The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian society has yet to be determined, but there’s one thing that’s becoming abundantly clear: the way Canadians work is going to be drastically different.
According to labour force survey data released during the pandemic by Stats Canada, nearly three-quarters of the 3.4 million Canadians who began working from home at the start of the COVID crisis remained that way through much of 2020, with many continuing to do so as more provincial restrictions emerged throughout 2021. Additionally, the data revealed that nearly 30 percent of those aged 18 to 34 believe most people will be working from home permanently within the next five years.
With the ability to work remotely, many employees tired of living in large urban centres are starting to move to areas once considered too far from their workplaces to serve as viable permanent residences. Nowhere is that more evident than in Oro-Medonte and the entire region of Simcoe County.
The area is no longer considered cottage country to those contributing to the mass exodus of workers leaving the GTA; instead, Simcoe County is becoming a highly sought-after permanent home for workers and families looking to buy their dream property in a more rustic, laid-back environment.
“I think that historically, this area of Simcoe County/Oro-Medonte has been a place where people came primarily for recreation,” said Mike Parker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Georgian Communities, the developer and builder behind such renowned residential developments as Braestone Estates in Horseshoe Valley and Windfall at Blue in Blue Mountain.
“The pandemic has changed people’s mindsets to the point they now see themselves living here. They leave behind the congestion of the city; they have more space and a bigger yard. For the home they’re selling in the GTA, they can generally move here and get so much more.”
Getting more is exactly what people have come to expect from Braestone Estates, the multi-award-winning Georgian Communities development inspired by the rolling hills and lush countryside of the Oro-Medonte region of Horseshoe Valley. Nestled into 566 acres of tranquil countryside, the Braestone development has continued to attract countless families who have left the GTA to enjoy this unique residential community, and it’s easy to see why.
Residents can enjoy a variety of exclusive amenities that Georgian Communities refers to as “remarkables,” including access to neighbouring Braestone Farm, Starfall Park, and an extensive trail system that weaves its way through the expansive natural landscapes that define the Braestone development.
With the upcoming completion of Phase 7 of Braestone Estates, Georgian Communities will soon be releasing the very last phase of Braestone sometime in the spring. This final phase will feature a unique private enclave of just 16 homes located on Friesian Court, offering both connection to the larger Braestone community and access to all of the area’s “remarkables.”
“This will be the last opportunity for people considering a new build home in Braestone,” said Parker. “ To learn more about Braestone’s Remarkables, its beautiful modern farmhouse architecture, and the upcoming release of Phase 8 of Braestone Estates, visit Braestone.ca.