Drive north from Kensington on Route 20 and the land opens up toward the water. Within a short drive you are in Malpeque, looking out over one of the most famous bays on the Island. Whenever I take buyers up this way, the view tends to do most of the talking. If you are wondering what it is actually like to live near Malpeque Bay, here is my local take.

Where it is

Malpeque sits on the North Shore, about 14 km north of Kensington along Route 20, according to the Confederation Trail guide. Tourism PEI places it within the Green Gables Shore region. That location is a big part of the appeal: you get a rural, coastal setting while staying within easy reach of Kensington for groceries and errands, and Summerside a little farther for bigger shopping and services.

Cabot Beach Provincial Park

Cabot Beach Provincial Park, at 449 King Street in Malpeque, overlooks Malpeque Bay and is about a 15-minute drive from Kensington. The park has walking trails through the woods, plenty of green space, a playground and a supervised beach in season, with lifeguard days and hours that vary. There is also a provincial campground with 104 sites.

A fun bit of local trivia: Cabot Beach hosted two Canadian Scout Jamborees, and it was the location for five sets used in the television series Emily of New Moon, based on L.M. Montgomery's books. The park is open in the warmer months, roughly June through September, so plan your beach days accordingly.

Oysters and a working harbour

The name Malpeque is known well beyond the Island because of its oysters, which come from the bay. Down at Malpeque Wharf, the Malpeque Oyster Barn operates seasonally in summer, and it is a favourite stop for visitors and locals alike. Living nearby means you see the working side of the bay too: boats heading out, gear on the wharf and the rhythm of the fishing season.

For buyers, that working character is part of the charm. It also means harbours and wharves are active places, so if you are looking at a home right near one, visit at different times of day.

What homes and land are like

Properties around Malpeque range from year-round homes to seasonal cottages and open land, often with farmland or water views. Expect most rural homes here to draw water from their own well and handle wastewater with septic. If you are coming from a town with municipal services, read up on what that means, and budget for regular water testing and septic maintenance.

For a current look at what is available, I keep an up-to-date page for Malpeque real estate.

Questions to ask about a property near the bay

• Is it built for year-round living? Some cottages are seasonal and may need insulation, heating or plumbing upgrades for winter.
• How is the road maintained in winter? A paved provincial road and a private gravel lane are different experiences in February.
• What does the shoreline look like over time? If the property is on or near the water, ask about erosion, and look at older photos or aerial images if you can.
• Where is the closest beach access? Not every home near the bay has its own access.
• What internet service is available at the address? This varies in rural areas, so check before you buy.

Life through the seasons

Summer brings beach days, campers at Cabot Beach and visitors stopping for oysters. In fall, the farmland turns gold and the roads go quiet. Winter is peaceful and wide open, and it rewards people who enjoy a slower pace. Spring is mud, migrating birds and the first boats heading back out.

Many of my clients who choose this area talk about the quiet and the sky as much as the house. If that appeals to you, it is worth spending time up here in more than one season.

Staying close to town

One reason Malpeque works for full-time living is its closeness to Kensington. If you want a bit more town convenience while staying near the water, it is worth comparing with homes in Kensington. And if beaches are high on your list, my PEI beaches guide covers some favourites across the Island.

Want to explore the Malpeque area?

I would be happy to show you around this beautiful part of Prince County and help you find a property that fits. Contact Jodi Bernard, CENTURY 21 Northumberland Realty, to set up a drive or a showing.

Congratulations, you have the keys. Now comes the part nobody puts on the moving checklist until the last minute: getting the lights, water and garbage pickup sorted. On PEI, who you call depends a lot on where the house is. Here is a simple guide I give to my buyers in the weeks before closing.

Electricity: Maritime Electric or Summerside Electric

Maritime Electric supplies power to homes across PEI outside Summerside. If your new home is in Summerside, though, your power likely comes from the city's own utility, Summerside Electric.

Maritime Electric. You can submit a moving connection request online or call 1-800-670-1012. They will ask for details like your civic address, contact information and the date you want service to start. Maritime Electric suggests applying at least a week ahead, since a connection or transfer can take a few business days. Depending on your situation, they may ask for ID or a security deposit.

Summerside Electric. The City of Summerside handles both electric and water and sewer accounts. You apply for service through the city's utilities page, and the city's general line for new accounts is 902-432-1230. The city also offers budget billing once you have twelve months of electrical service with them.

Water and sewer: town service or your own well

If you are buying in a town with municipal water and sewer, contact the municipality to put the account in your name. In Summerside, as noted above, that is part of the same city utility account.

If the home is in the country, your water will most likely come from a private well, with a septic system for wastewater. There is no water bill, but there is responsibility. Plan to test your water after you move in and on a regular schedule after that. My guide to PEI well water testing explains what to test for and when. It is also smart to find out when the septic tank was last pumped.

Garbage, compost and recycling: Waste Watch

PEI runs an Island-wide sorting program called Waste Watch, managed by the Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC). It is a three-stream system: compost, recycling and waste, and sorting is mandatory.

As a new homeowner, you request cart service from IWMC. You will receive a black waste cart, a green compost cart, a small kitchen bin for compost, a collection calendar and information on how to sort. IWMC says to allow about two weeks for delivery. Recyclables go out in clear blue bags. On collection day, everything needs to be at the curb by 7 a.m.

The collection charges themselves are billed on your property tax bill, so they will show up there rather than as a separate account.

Heating fuel

If the home heats with oil or propane, ask the seller who delivers and set up your own account before you move in. Many companies offer automatic delivery, which takes one worry off your plate in winter. If the home has a heat pump or electric baseboards, your heat cost comes through your power bill.

Internet, phone and TV

Service options vary a lot between town and country on PEI. Before you buy a rural property, check which providers serve that exact address. Once you have firm closing dates, book installation as early as you can, especially in busy moving months.

Mail and address changes

Rural homes may have a roadside mailbox, a community mailbox or a post office box. Ask the seller how mail arrives. Then update your address with your bank, employer, insurer and the Province, including your driver's licence and health card if you are new to PEI.

A simple timeline

• Once your offer is firm: check internet availability and book installation.
• About two weeks before closing: request IWMC cart service, arrange heating fuel, and contact the power utility.
• On closing day: take meter photos and note oil tank levels if relevant.
• First month: test the well water if you have one and keep your utility setup notes in one place.

New to the Island?

If you are relocating, my guide to moving to PEI covers the bigger picture. And if you are still at the browsing stage, you can search homes across Prince Edward Island or focus in on Summerside homes for sale.

Questions about a specific property's services? Contact Jodi Bernard, CENTURY 21 Northumberland Realty, and we can track down the answers before you sign.