Author Topic: Petawawa Thread- Merged (Read 54184 times)

Shadow · « **Reply #50 on:** May 14, 2006, 23:06:31 »

I just got posted to Petawawa also. My experience with the base is limited to my QL3 Infantry (in '93) and my CLC (in '98). Don't know much more about life off and around the base. My life was on the Mattawa Plains back when we lived in tent city, and the leadership building. All I needed to know how to do was get to the mess.
I found out that the prices in Petawawa have become RIDICULOUS. (Oh haven't you heard XX Unit is moving to Pet, raise the prices!)
I bought a house in Beachburg. It's 30 minutes to work in the summer, 5 minutes to the Ottawa River put-in (if you're into WW Kayaking) and an hour to Ottawa. The town is very small and friendly, and I paid a very reasonable price.
Looking forward to givin' er again!

van Gemeren · « **Reply #51 on:** May 14, 2006, 23:28:06 »

I have been attending University in North Bay for the last 3 years now. I can tell you that since I moved to Petawawa back in 1999, Petawawa has grown in terms of houses and some stores in town. Everytime I come home for the summer, there is something new.

In the paper last week, the town approved the plan for the first phase of 300(?) houses between Petawawa Blvd and Laurentian, by the Beerstore. I can see Petawawa mainly staying a bedroom community with all the stores on the east side of Pembroke, because that is what happens when a Wal-mart moves into an area, all the business develops around it.

I was thinking maybe a post-secondary institution would help bring things to this side of Pembroke (ie something the size of Algonquin College in Pembroke).

xrme · « **Reply #52 on:** May 18, 2006, 06:55:01 »

Quote from: George Wallace on May 14, 2006, 20:50:53

Now that we are way off topic...I wonder where you have been.

George, obviously my interpretation of what is new differs from yours. I will PM you with my thoughts.

Quote from: Armymedic on May 14, 2006, 21:00:20

I do not see the change of businesses the same way as you, xrme. A few less car dealerships in Petawawa proper, great. I see alot of new business with greater variety now then we had 10 yrs ago. In fact now, one does not have to drive to Pembroke to get to a decent grocery, drug, or knick-knack store.

As for the housing prices, that was a lob ball to your area of expertise...nice homer.

Same thing, opinions are like hemeroids, sooner or later, every arse has one, and no body likes em. A few less car dealers? How about we lose some fast food places instead!?

I can't speak for 10 years ago, only 8. Same grocer, renamed, and relocated. Same PharmaPlus, new location...knickknacks...that's what we need. Not a competitor grocer. Not a hardware store...more knickknacks and fast food spots. As for the hanging fast-ball...thanks. But, I do feel I know you....

Quote from: Recce By Death on May 14, 2006, 22:11:32

I know of at least 3 houses (2 bedroom "shacks") that were bought 5 years ago for approx $85 k and have just sold for $160 - $175k.
Very modest work was done to the houses and the properties are very small.
A wee bit more than the 10%.
I have a relative in the area who is posted and is selling his house, bought approx $115 (4years ago)....sold it for $169k
I was posted to Pet around the same time and was amazed at the outrageous prices here compared to NB where 4 acres and a 3 bedroom home under 20yrs old was going for approx $105 - $115k....in Pet they were asking for $180k and 1/2 acre.
The market in Pet and the surrounding area is artificially inflated...period. Everyone knows it but are stuck with it.
I'm not going to buy a house until I get posted out.....it's worth the wait in my case anyway.

.Average. Grab a dictionary RbD, and look up the word. Then look up the average increase in, say Edmonton...almost 17%...then look at Victoria...almost 30%.
..How can you compare a house in NB to a house in Pet? I can find you a 3 bedroom house on 4 acres in Ontario, for $110K...probably not right in Petawawa.
...And "artificially inflated"?? What's artificial about it? It is the market.

Quote from: shadow on May 14, 2006, 23:06:31

I bought a house in Beachburg. It's 30 minutes to work in the summer, 5 minutes to the Ottawa River put-in (if you're into WW Kayaking) and an hour to Ottawa. The town is very small and friendly, and I paid a very reasonable price.

Beachburg is a nice place. For myself, that's alot of driving. An hour a day, in the summer. Obviously more in the winter. Again, for myself, alot of driving, and at a $1 a litre...for my average vehicle, about $8 a day, $40 a week (5 day week), $200 a month...again, Beachburg is a nice place... so is Deep River...and they have a Timmies!!

Shadow · « **Reply #53 on:** May 18, 2006, 07:39:33 »

Most days in the summer (i.e. days that are not raining) the motorcycle from Beachburg makes things a LOT cheaper. The drive gives me about 30 minutes in the morning to wake up and plan my day, and 30 minutes in the afternoon to decompress from a day of running around at 2 Svc Bn! I am also looking for people to carpool with, but there aren't a lot of military here. Other than that, I love it here so far.

Something I noticed:
The town sign for Pembroke says "population 13,500"
The town sign for Petawawa says "Population 15,500

The only reason I can think that Pet's pop is higher than Pembroke's is because of all the military. It must be because of all the people that live on the base (i.e. in single quarters)? Anyone know of another reason? And if Pet has a higher population, then why don't we have a new Home Depot?!?

Recce41 · « **Reply #54 on:** May 18, 2006, 13:13:38 »

Spent 19 yrs in Pet and now going back. The family loved it. Kids enjoyed it better than Gage.

Nerf herder · « **Reply #55 on:** May 18, 2006, 14:47:34 »

Quote from: xrme on May 18, 2006, 06:55:01

Average. Grab a dictionary RbD, and look up the word. Then look up the average increase in, say Edmonton...almost 17%...then look at Victoria...almost 30%.
..How can you compare a house in NB to a house in Pet? I can find you a 3 bedroom house on 4 acres in Ontario, for $110K...probably not right in Petawawa.
...And "artificially inflated"?? What's artificial about it? It is the market.

How can I compare a shack in NB to one in Ontario that is more run down and they're asking more? Easy enough.

Any houses in the Pembroke / Petawawa area are much higher than outside the area due to the base and other major industries in the local area. Everyone that works on base wants a house near it, within reason. The sellers know it and the prices are jacked up accordingly.

It's a solid market with solid retail....posting season is great for sellers, not so great for buyers. Everyone in the area knows that. Averages in this area compared to outside are way higher than the rest.

Remember when there were rumours abound about the base being relocated? Everyone was damn near crapping in their pants...because they knew they were about to lose any resale value in their homes.

Who would buy a house in a dead town?

As for your quip remarks about grabing a dictionary.....save it.

xrme · « **Reply #56 on:** May 18, 2006, 17:02:16 »

Okay, point by point, I'll go slow, so I don't lose you....

Quote from: Recce By Death on May 18, 2006, 14:47:34

How can I compare a shack in NB to one in Ontario that is more run down and they're asking more? Easy enough.

Your original post was: I was posted to Pet around the same time and was amazed at the outrageous prices here compared to NB ...my point was Petawawa is a town, NewBrunswick is a province...hardly a comparison. Two totally different markets.

Quote from: Recce By Death on May 18, 2006, 14:47:34

Any houses in the Pembroke / Petawawa area are much higher than outside the area due to the base and other major industries in the local area. Everyone that works on base wants a house near it, within reason. The sellers know it and the prices are jacked up accordingly.
It's a solid market with solid retail....posting season is great for sellers, not so great for buyers. Everyone in the area knows that.

Is this your interpretation of "artificially inflated?

Quote from: Recce By Death on May 18, 2006, 14:47:34

Averages in this area compared to outside are way higher than the rest.

Actually, they're not. I thought I demonstrated that already. The national average is right about 12% Petawawa, about 10%...slightly less than the national average. <on> So you know a guy that was married to a gal, whose brother's nephew's cousin's uncle's daughter in law's husband sold a house for a wee bit more than 10% increase after cleaning the eavestroughs....wow! For that very sale, I'll bet my next pension cheque that there was one that sold for a wee bit less than 10%, thereby averaging the increase in this area to about 10%! <sarcasm mode off> My point was that on average, the increase in property value in Petawawa is less than the national average. Some properties in Petawawa will sell for more than the average, some will sell for less than the average.

Shadow...good points. Still too long on the road for this guy.

Shadow · « **Reply #57 on:** May 18, 2006, 21:59:57 »

I compared the drive to my trip to work in Ottawa.
Anyone living in Kanata can expect a 45 + minute ride to work via car OR bus.
:-) It doesn't feel so bad when I look at it that way... just the gas thing. Maybe I should buy a holding tank and pump and store my own gas.
I sound all optimistic now, but I haven't enjoyed a winter drive into work yet. I am thinking I will keep a crash-bag in my car just in case. I foresee myself spending some weeknights with friends on the base ;-)

xrme · « **Reply #58 on:** May 19, 2006, 09:07:14 »

A few years ago, I had a friend that lived in Beachburg, in the old house right beside the tracks on the east end of town...vistied him quite often. Very nice town, very friendly, as you have mentioned. He drove a Ford Aerostar. Mind you, this was 7 years ago...he said the gas and extra maint was almost the difference in mortgage payments between here and there...again, 7 years ago....today....the median price of the 12 houses that sold this year in Beachburg is $103000...with a low of less than $60K and a high of more than $260K. The prices of the 167 houses that have sold in Petawawa this year range from less than $50K to slightly more than $315K , with a median of $177500. A difference of $74500. A monthly mortgage payment difference of $497. Save the motorcycle....this is almost the cost of additional maintenance and fuel to feed an average mid sized sedan from Beachburg to Petawawa 5 days a week. Again, very nice town..quiet and friendly, and very dependant on the type of person living there. The house you did buy...how long was it for sale before you bought it?

Shadow · « **Reply #59 on:** May 19, 2006, 18:56:35 »

It was on the market for 7 days when I looked at it. 14 days by the time our negotiations were finished. I really lucked out, the house has been completely remodeled inside - it's like living in a brand new house, with huge property and in a really friendly town. Being posted to Pet I imagine I will be driving in, then going on ex for weeks at a time, so I don't anticipate the gas being too much of an issue.
I guess the difference between mortgage payments and car maintenance/gas also depends on what the bank says you can afford!
Gas/maintenance aren't fixed costs in the eyes of the bank, so it's easier to spend it on vehicle as needed than get approved for a mortgage for that amount.
I'm going to grow to love that motorcycle though. Might even have to switch from a sport-bike to a cruiser!
Cheers!
Shadow

Nerf herder · « **Reply #60 on:** May 19, 2006, 20:31:51 »

....and on that note PM INCOMING.

Regards

xrme · « **Reply #61 on:** May 20, 2006, 08:40:31 »

Quote from: shadow on May 19, 2006, 18:56:35

It was on the market for 7 days when I looked at it. 14 days by the time our negotiations were finished. I really lucked out, the house has been completely remodeled inside - it's like living in a brand new house, with huge property and in a really friendly town. Being posted to Pet I imagine I will be driving in, then going on ex for weeks at a time, so I don't anticipate the gas being too much of an issue.
I guess the difference between mortgage payments and car maintenance/gas also depends on what the bank says you can afford!
Gas/maintenance aren't fixed costs in the eyes of the bank, so it's easier to spend it on vehicle as needed than get approved for a mortgage for that amount.

Sounds like a great place. Not too many places sell that quick out there...there's something to be said about being the right place at the right time. Enjoy your new place.

jesses_girl · « **Reply #62 on:** May 26, 2006, 00:24:25 »

huh...i hadn't checked on this in a while...so i was surprised to see all the controversy

we just figured we were gonna take our hht and see what was available (if anything now!) and make a decision from there...i've spent enough of the last few years in "student housing" to know that i can live in less than perfect conditions...i think as long as the house isn't falling down around me i'll be able to deal with anything else

thanks for all the info folks

IN HOC SIGNO · « **Reply #63 on:** May 26, 2006, 19:29:49 »

Quote from: jesses_girl on May 26, 2006, 00:24:25

huh...i hadn't checked on this in a while...so i was surprised to see all the controversy

we just figured we were gonna take our hht and see what was available (if anything now!) and make a decision from there...i've spent enough of the last few years in "student housing" to know that i can live in less than perfect conditions...i think as long as the house isn't falling down around me i'll be able to deal with anything else

thanks for all the info folks

All the best in Pet...it's a great spot.

JugbandClegg · « **Reply #64 on:** May 28, 2006, 17:34:24 »

Hi, I used to work at CFHA Petawawa so I can probably clarify a few issues. As far as I know not all of the apartments are redone, some are still being worked on (may have changed). It's mostly the exteriors that are new though like some people said, so I would always recommend getting the keys on an offer and taking an indepth look at any place you plan on renting. CFHA in Petawawa would not allow anyone to live in a condemned PMQ, ever. Not all empty PMQ's are being worked on at one time, what happens is there is a waiting list for specific PMQ's. For example, during posting season single units on the Northside and apartments (well pretty much anything on the Northside) have a waiting list. A lot of the PMQ's on the southside are the ones people turn their noses up at, and hence they are the empty ones and there is usually not a waiting list for those. I would recommend a southside PMQ for a single person or a couple over the apartments, you get more space and the price difference, if there is one, is in favour of the PMQ. It depends on how smart you are with the heat and hydro as the apartments it is included in the price of rent and for the rowhouses you pay your own. If there's any other questions I can probably help with them.

MTH · « **Reply #65 on:** July 10, 2006, 16:19:51 »

I'm going to be joining the RCR and I'm looking to purchase a new home. Any info on the builders in the area would be great.
thanks, matt

Picaninny Skoff · « **Reply #66 on:** July 10, 2006, 16:39:49 »

Matt;

I am currently having a house built outside of Pembroke by Legacy Homes. So far, so good. They are a small, local builder with a good rep. E-mail Legacy@nrtco.net; phone (613) 687-4774. Happy home hunting.

7 - 10 days · « **Reply #67 on:** July 20, 2006, 20:07:47 »

Quick question for anyone "in the know"

Posted in October and DIT is in about 4 weeks.

I heard that Pet has some pmq's which are "better" then others. For example they have patio doors etc....rumour is they are not very popular because people on the base are not use to paying that much for q's. Old officer q's?

So my question is this, are there actually q's like this there? if so how much? are they worth it?

Cheers!

FormerHorseGuard · « **Reply #68 on:** July 21, 2006, 02:22:07 »

i know for a fact the project to seal in the old insulation in the quarters because it might have asbestos in the insulation is going very well. i was working for the company doing it. all the quarters i have been in working seem very nice

7 - 10 days · « **Reply #69 on:** August 27, 2006, 18:07:23 »

HELP!!! Petawawa CFHA says they DO NOT allow selection of PMQ's anymore. We all remember looking at our allocation, wondering what you did to them to deserve this, then selecting something else. Well a family member seen my allocation yesterday and it is brutal. there is no backyard at all. I feel a fight coming on and am wondering if anyone in the Pet area i.e. community council can give me some advice? Please help me

IN HOC SIGNO · « **Reply #70 on:** August 27, 2006, 19:27:54 »

Quote from: 7 - 10 days on August 27, 2006, 18:07:23

HELP!!! Petawawa CFHA says they DO NOT allow selection of PMQ's anymore. We all remember looking at our allocation, wondering what you did to them to deserve this, then selecting something else. Well a family member seen my allocation yesterday and it is brutal. there is no backyard at all. I feel a fight coming on and am wondering if anyone in the Pet area i.e. community council can give me some advice? Please help me

Technically they never did allow it. You went to the bottom of the waiting list if you refused the allocated one and waited while they filled everyone else's requirements.
You need to get your supervisor to get your unit to wade in on your behalf in my humble opinion.

Nerf herder · « **Reply #71 on:** August 27, 2006, 20:23:59 »

There is no way to select a home anymore....and your unit can't do anything about it either, besides forwarding paperwork.

Good luck trying to get what you want for a home, but don't hold your breath.

I have no time for the organization in Pet and I won't get into it on these means.

Regards

rmacqueen · « **Reply #72 on:** August 27, 2006, 23:50:15 »

Hmmm, I had absolutely no problem with my PMQ in Pet. I had a large backyard and the Q was in great shape with new windows, etc. Whenever I had a problem CE was there quickly and I rarely had to wait for anything to be fixed. It sure beat the Q I had in Esquimalt where the curtains would move whenever there was a wind and insulation was virtually unheard of.

Nerf herder · « **Reply #73 on:** August 28, 2006, 14:52:10 »

Quote from: rmacqueen on August 27, 2006, 23:50:15

Hmmm, I had absolutely no problem with my PMQ in Pet. I had a large backyard and the Q was in great shape with new windows, etc. Whenever I had a problem CE was there quickly and I rarely had to wait for anything to be fixed. It sure beat the Q I had in Esquimalt where the curtains would move whenever there was a wind and insulation was virtually unheard of.

You lucked out.

http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,28440.msg221100.html#msg221100

Prior to my move from the Maritimes I had concerns about the Q for the sake of my wife. Our last neighbour literally drove her to the brink of a break-down....and I was looking for a single house, no attachment. The cops were there on a regular basis for noise, fights, drug complaints which resulted in them being forced from that Q and thrown out later of the Q entirely. Needless to say.....she needed somewhat of a quiet home and made that clear to the staff at IRPP who tried to make some headway in that regard, but met with little co-operation. Having a medical concern (hypertension, panic attacks, anxiety, high blood pressure) at the time met nothing I guess.

Now onto what was wrong with the Q.....I have 4 pages of things and shortcomings on 8.5x11 folscap that I submitted to CFHA upon my march in.

I couldn't even look at the place prior to the movers getting there, through no fault of my own.

When I walked in to CFHA, F&E still on the truck BTW, and told them the sitrep on the Q they showed no concern whatsoever and I was told that I had to accept it as is.

After the move and the cleaning that we had to do to get rid of the mud on the walls and ceilings among other things that were wrong (the place was never cleaned when the last tenants cleared out)...this process took the two of us about 3 days to do. Can you say feces on the floor in the basement?

Then onto the kicker. I signed agreements for a rent rate of $407/month prior to being posted to Pet...sight unseen at that. At the time the going rate for the same PMQ in Gagetown was approx $308....not bad but still a jump none the less.

After 2 weeks of being in the Q I received a letter that my rent was going to increase by $100 because of refurbishing that happened to it prior to my moving in.

I walked in to the offices (used to be on the North side, now on the South) and talked to the manager, who was less than co-operative to say the least. After talking to him about the situation for about a half hour he basically told me to "Suck it up" and that I'd have to live with it.

Wrong answer.

Let's just say that a friend of the family is a lawyer and is quite familiar with rental agreements in the province of Ontario....and I'll leave it at that.

I have no time for CFHA after that debacle and right now I'm still looking for a dream house....

Sorry about the rant....just the subject pisses me off.

Regards

Trinity · « **Reply #74 on:** February 28, 2007, 16:43:10 »

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News:

Author Topic: Petawawa Thread- Merged (Read 54184 times)