A Spotlight on Manitoulin Living: January '06: Consultant

Jim and Linda Noble (with dog Rory) moved to Manitoulin in November 2005, and Jim's work over the internet has never been better.

January 2006 (Providence Bay) -- After many years of working for major financial institutions and living in large urban centers, my wife Linda and I decided to escape the urban sprawl and accompanying pollution and commuter nightmares, for a more balanced and holistic lifestyle. We had both been born and raised in a rural and small community setting and we both had come to realize that we wanted to return to “small town” living.

As a temporary transition and to test the waters, we moved from Toronto to the Quinte Region in Eastern Ontario in 2000 and I began my own marketing and consulting business working from home, as many “boomers’ are doing these days. Fortunately, the availability of high-speed Internet access to small cities and towns has made it possible to use this technology efficiently and effectively and to run a business no matter where a person is located.

Our “transition” was a success and fortunately, business was good also. We found that we did enjoy “small town” life and the lifestyle benefits that come with living in a smaller community. However, there was one fly in the ointment. We had no access to a family doctor and no prospects of getting access for a very long time, if ever. Sadly, this is an all too familiar story for many people in Ontario, and is an issue that people often overlook when moving. And, it becomes more important as a person ages.

Enter, Manitoulin Island! We had been vacationing on the Island for several years, because we really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the pollution-free air and the tranquil setting. Not to mention the great fishing and golf! We had often thought of retiring to the Island. And then we thought, why wait? With high-speed Internet, I can work from anywhere and even better; there is access to quality primary health care. So, we made the move, and we have not looked back.

My business flourished, despite being further away from my clients. I learned that if you do great work for clients, they will follow you anywhere, because with the Internet and a telephone, they can reach you quickly and conveniently. And more recently, I took on the challenge of covering the pan-northern region from North Bay to Thunder Bay, on behalf of a non-profit organization. Thanks to high-speed access, I can do this while working from home. You might say I have taken telecommuting to a new level.

We have a great lifestyle, right next door to nature and all it provides; clean, pollution free air, lakes and rivers and natural beauty. And best of all, we both have a family doctor. A truly holistic lifestyle.

So go ahead, make the plunge and find your next home on Manitoulin Island. You will be glad you did!
 

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