New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province. Many of its vibrant Francophone communities are arrayed along its east coast, known as the Acadian Coast. Here, cottage country has traditionally meant Shediac, a 20-minute drive from Moncton. The town is the self-proclaimed lobster capital of the world, and the July festival devoted to this succulent crustacean is one of many family-oriented events. But with such a short commute to the city, many Shediac cottages are becoming year-round residences.
Farther north along the shore, waterfront dwellings tend to be more affordable. However, you’ll likely find these in a fishing village rather than in a cottage community. For those willing to try a more remote area, there are beautiful beaches on Chaleur Bay. Bathurst is an attractive regional centre with a tradition of multi-generational family cottages on its outskirts.
In northern New Brunswick, undeveloped waterfront lots are a popular investment for rural New Brunswickers working out west in the oil patch. More generally, though, the much-loathed “double tax” on second homes (actually a provincial tax on top of municipal property taxes) likely dampens the cottage market province-wide, potentially putting buyers at an advantage.