Having a secondary property in Val-des-Monts (fit in, crime, buying)

[fedsal]

Hello everyone,

I am thinking of buying a small lot in Val-des-Monts. I really like the landscape. However, I do not plan to move on the lot but rather camp/live on it during the weekend. My main residence will continue to be in Ottawa.

I know that there are cases in which people take advantage of the difference existing between the taxes, fee, etc. applied in Ottawa vs. the ones in Val-des-Monts. I heard that in some area in Val-des-Monts, many locals are rightfully discontent with the people abusing these differences and that there is a tendency to consider some Ontario plate owners as abusers of the system.

French is not my first language but I am fortunate to speak it very well, according to native francophones.

The newspapers reported recently the trashing of a small cabin and the burning of the lodge of the Nakkertok cross country ski club, in Val-des-Monts. This news saddens me and I would like to figure out if incidents such as these are common in the Gatineau Hills. I also heard about various break-ins of cottages... as I heard about similar events on the Ontario side.

I wonder if anglophones having a secondary residence in the Gatineau Hills had or have unpleasant experiences at their secondary residence. I am thinking about unfriendliness, vandalism, theft, trespassing, trespassing with ATVs, etc.

This post is about gathering factual information and is by no means intended to imply anything negative about the people living in the Gatineau Hills or the Ottawa region.

Thank you.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by fedsal

Hello everyone,

I am thinking of buying a small lot in Val-des-Monts. I really like the landscape. However, I do not plan to move on the lot but rather camp/live on it during the weekend. My main residence will continue to be in Ottawa.

I know that there are cases in which people take advantage of the difference existing between the taxes, fee, etc. applied in Ottawa vs. the ones in Val-des-Monts. I heard that in some area in Val-des-Monts, many locals are rightfully discontent with the people abusing these differences and that there is a tendency to consider some Ontario plate owners as abusers of the system.

French is not my first language but I am fortunate to speak it very well, according to native francophones.

The newspapers reported recently the trashing of a small cabin and the burning of the lodge of the Nakkertok cross country ski club, in Val-des-Monts. This news saddens me and I would like to figure out if incidents such as these are common in the Gatineau Hills. I also heard about various break-ins of cottages... as I heard about similar events on the Ontario side.

I wonder if anglophones having a secondary residence in the Gatineau Hills had or have unpleasant experiences at their secondary residence. I am thinking about unfriendliness, vandalism, theft, trespassing, trespassing with ATVs, etc.

This post is about gathering factual information and is by no means intended to imply anything negative about the people living in the Gatineau Hills or the Ottawa region.

Thank you.

I am pretty sure that most anglos who speak little or no French in Val-des-Monts have few problems, so if you actually speak it and are keen to use it you will fit in just fine.

In spite of recent incidents, crime in this area is no more of a problem than anywhere else and is not in any way related to the language issue as far as I can tell.

As for the tax evaders who have Ontario plates, yes it is an issue for some people but there are also many cottagers in the area with Ontario plates so most of your neighbours can probably tell the difference: ie if you only show up for weekends and for a few weeks in the summer, or if you leave at 8 am every single workday of the year and return at 5 pm.

[fedsal]

Hello Acajack,

Thank you very much for your reply. It is very helpful and encouraging!

Thank you, Acajack.