The Newfoundland Government recently announced that they’re investigating means which would help entice expatriate Newfoundlanders to relocate “home” (here in Newfoundland). There are thousands of baby boomers who left Newfoundland to make a life on the mainland, and as the demographic curve suggests, are now considering retirement opportunities. As anyone will tell you, there’s no place like home for the holidays, and isn’t that what a Newfoundland retirement is all about?
“…. no place like home for the holidays…”
As a tour operator, we spend a lot of time in the company of retirees and therefore understand many of their concerns and motivations. In fact, I’m certain I could write an excellent report on this – citing many suggestions and recommendations that would make Newfoundland a more attractive retirement destination. We could herald the health and pristine environmental conditions. Delve heavy on the outdoor recreation opportunities and the many thousands of hectares held by crown lands for all to enjoy. There’s much to be said about the relaxing pace of life, sense of community, and cultural immersion. Finally, and perhaps surprisingly, I have a personal anecdote that we could use to bring a proper recognition and appreciation for our wonderful province – the weather.
“… watching them fall in love with Newfoundland…”
We have new friends who just moved here from the Mainland and watching them fall in love with Newfoundland has been an amazing experience.
She recently retired from a good government job, and his technical trades experience guaranteed that work could be found anywhere, so they decided to give Newfoundland a try. And to hear them tell the story, there’s not a happier couple walking the planet.
“… happiest couple on the planet.”
First off, you should know, though they met and married in Ontario, she grew up as a Newfoundlander (leaving the province on her last day of high school) and this was a most kindred hook up, for he is a first generation Canadian whose parents emigrated from Newfoundland before his birth. Can you imagine the fun they must have shared at family gatherings?
Secondly, they sold their house in Ontario for close on a million dollars and purchased a brand-new bungalow in the west end of St. John’s for just under 300 grand – so they’re starting fresh with close on to $600,000 in their jeans. Can’t wipe the grin off their faces.
“… truly shocked by the weather…”
Finally, they moved here in the summer of 2017, a most fortuitous decision since those were the best temperatures ever recorded in our lifetime. With a repeat performance in 2018 – its needless to say, they’re truly shocked by the weather and are always willing and ready to discuss the situation;
“Don’t know what you crowd are getting on with talking about the weather out here in Newfoundland, we never enjoyed a summer like this in our lives. Beautiful skies, no humidity, perfect temperatures. Only rained late at night, and though the winds were high, the air is so fresh and invigorating. There’s brilliant wild flowers everywhere. Never imagined we would ever see so many icebergs, whales, and puffins. We eat “deadly” food and there’s always something happening somewhere – supposing it’s a hand of cards in a neighbour’s shed. This place is wicked!
And it keeps getting better with every season. We have beautiful fall colours in Ontario – For about two weeks and then they’re gone. Down here Autumn never wants to end. Its like the trees take turns turning, as soon as one bunch of leaves finish, another set jumps right in the cue. Even the needles on the pine trees change in Newfoundland – sporting the craziest colours from lusty limes to raspy orange.
As for winter? Man, I bought a brand-new Honda snow blower last year and I don’t know if the darn thing even starts. Never had a chance to use it. Not once.
Newfoundlanders are either the biggest bunch of liars on the planet or they just don’t know what bad weather really looks like. Either way this is the most outrageous place on the planet and that’s my retirement rant.”
“… capable of figuring things out on their own.”
Seems that Newfoundlanders are more than capable of figuring things out on their own.
But if the province hopes to entice any CFA (Comes From Away) folks to retire here, Newfoundlanders must first embrace and broadcast a new attitude regarding our actual weather environment. As I often reminded the boys when I lived in Vancouver; “There’s no one in Newfoundland complaining about global warming. Bring it on! Imagine getting back to the ‘Viking Era’ when our climate was warm enough to sustain grapes and the name ‘Vinland’!”
Though said with “Tongue in Cheek”, the must significant impact Newfoundlanders can impose on the weather is to stop sending reports from the St. John’s Airport (YYT) and build another forecast station in the west end of the city, Mount Pearl or even VOCM Valley. We’ve got a dozen micro climates in St. John’s and I bet this move would bump up the city’s mean temperature by 5 degrees.
Climate change takes on a whole new meaning in Newfoundland – just like retirement, its as real as you want to make it!
