Quality of Place

Breathtaking Scenery At Your Doorstep
As well as fields and farms we have 800 km of spectacular shoreline with pristine sand and pebble beaches, and the world's largest freshwater dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Our whole south shore is an internationally recognized Important Bird Area and deer can be seen by the side of the road all over the County. There are days when the waters could be the Caribbean - turquoise, sparkling and inviting.

High Quality Of Life - Low Cost Of Living
The everyday cost of living in the County is very appealing. You can park on a meter for 50 cents an hour, and in-town services are within easy walking or biking distance. Out of town the driving is peaceful and stress-free. Newcomers from the city revel in the freedom of “five minutes and we’re there.” Medical appointment? 5 minutes away. Supermarket? 5 minutes. Coffee shop, library, post office, aromatherapy, car repairs? 5 minutes. You’ll find sailing, motor-boating and some of the best fishing in North America just minutes away, too.

A Great Place To Grow
For early retirees who aren't ready to spend all their time on the golf course, there are small business and employment opportunities in the local economy. Our financial foundations are built on a healthy base of agriculture, institutions, services, retail business, tourism and industry and our booming local wine industry is causing ripples of excitement. Winters are traditionally mild, and the gardening zone is generally 6A – a full zone milder than the mainland. Windows opened in April to catch a spring breeze are often not shut until October. Villages like Cherry Valley reflect the County’s fruit-growing heritage, and farmers’ roadside stands groan with ripe abundance.

Health Care
Excellent primary health care is provided at Prince Edward County Memorial, with 38 beds, a number of clinical and diagnostic services from obstetrics to radiology and a brand new haemodialysis clinic. An innovative Family Health Network guarantees 24/7 access to primary health care and advice.

Alternative & Wellness
As well as traditional health professionals, including 20 physicians and 5 dentists, we have numerous alternative and complementary health services - chiropractic, homeopathic, therapeutic massage, acupuncture and spas.

Education/Places Of Worship
Prince Edward County has nine public elementary schools, one high school and five private schools, and in nearby Belleville you’ll find the private Albert College, Loyalist College and St. Lawrence College, as well as the acclaimed Quinte Ballet School. Queens University, one of Canada’s best, is 45 minutes away in the City of Kingston, and the brand new University of Ontario, with its revolutionary high-tech environment, is about an hour and a half away in Oshawa.

Find a complete list of churches and schools here.

We have more than 30 places of worship including 12 United, six Anglican, two Baptist and two Pentecostal churches and one Catholic church. As well, there are Reformed, Standard, Christadelphian, Free Methodist, Quaker, Church of Christ, Gospel Hall, Kingdom Hall, Presbyterian and Salvation Army centres, and a well-attended synagogue in nearby Belleville.

Professional Services
Before Sir John A. MacDonald practiced law in Picton, he was well known in the town for the pranks and jokes he perpetrated on its good people. Today’s professionals are somewhat better behaved, and the County has eight law firms, six accounting offices, six insurance offices, seven banks, five financial planning offices and seven real estate offices.
View our Business Directory here.