Travel times & distance please

[LongInt]

12th January 2008 11:50

There is a native reserve in that area and houses that are built on it are there on condition of a long-term lease (I'm not sure if it's a fixed term, or not.) That means that, although you own your house, you don't own the land that it's on.

There have not been any problems, in this regard, with the Westbank Native Band, that I'm aware of. However, there were a number of families that were 'evicted' from the same circumstance in the Fraser Valley a few years ago. The Band didn't break the lease by evicting them but, rather, raised the rent to an outrageous amount so that they all had to leave.

On the other side of it, the Westbank Band is one of the more moderate and business-minded Bands. The only trouble that I remember was one time, several years ago, that they blockaded the highway - but that was primarily people from the Penticton Band that came up.

What it boils down to is that some aspects of the rule-of-law, in practice, just don't apply on native land (as much as the authorities say otherwise). Anyone who has noticed all of the billboards along the highway on the west side of the bridge may have wondered, if one was observant, why there aren't any along the rest of the highway. That's because it's illegal to have billboards so close to the highway.

So, each will have to decide for themselves if they want to buy on native land. The Westbank Native Band has a good reputation and is quite moderate and those who live on their land hope that they don't become radical, as many other bands have.

[LongInt]

12th January 2008 11:52

Further to the above, Tracie, only a small part of the westside is native land. You just need to be aware if the house that you want is on it or not.

[tracie107]

12th January 2008 14:15

Thanks, great information - at least we know what it means and therefore be more aware when looking for our house!

[SivoxII]

14th January 2008 17:40

How far is Glenrosa to Enterprise and how long for journey time...

Hey Tracie!

From a winter driving perspective, if it's dark & wet like it has been tonight, your journey time will most certainly be increased from an average time line, as a good few people CRAWL! on the roads around here in these conditions.

> Vent Over! <

[MisplacedCanadian]

14th January 2008 17:46

Hi Tracie,

Further to LongInt's excellent information, the difference is basically whether you want to buy what, in the UK, would be 'leasehold' or 'freehold'. If you buy a house on Native land it will most likely be 'leasehold'. In Canada, it's more common to buy 'freehold'.

I think Nigel's suggestion is that you buy freehold - i.e. not on Native land. The Native land leases here are typically for 99 years or so, but with freehold houses being so cheap here - we bought freehold.

Hope that's helpful!

MC