Quote:
Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed
Manitoulin is very rural, and the First Nation population is extremely high. One of my online game friends was from there but moved to Sudbury. It's a very depressing place. I grew up in the woods too, and I wouldn't wish it on the kids either. Alcoholism is a significant problem there. Living closer to Sudbury is a better alternative
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I don't live on Manitoulin but spent the better part of my life in a rural, woodsy area up in northern Ontario. You are correct in stating the problems that arise from living in rural areas. Some people have this fairy tale theory about raising their kids in the fresh country air with acres and acres to play on.
They DO get bored. TV, video games and internet are often their only entertainment during the winter and summers are short up in the north.The have to arise early to take busses to school and are late getting home with long rural bus rides.
Your children having a play date is an all day or all night event. It's too far to drive them for an hour or two. Then when they're teens you have to worry about them driving poorly plowed rural roads late at night.
They miss out on organized sports unless they want to take the late bus home and arrive home late in the evening.
I myself went stir crazy during the long dark winter months with nothing to look at outside my windows but snow and trees with no sign of civilization. My husband worked long hours and I found it very lonely.
The LONG drive to town on snow-covered roads to get groceries or to an appointment was hellish at times.
Just make sure you are well prepared to be isolated and away from the comforts of city living. After you've settled in and find that the wonderful smell of fresh country air isn't so wonderful, you'll either love the quiet peacefullness, get depressed, crack up, (lol) or put a for sale sign on your house not long after you settle. Oh, and if you buy a house, unless it is rare, unique and likely to be a hot market item, good luck with selling it any time soon.