All posts by Julie Barnes

Living the dream: How Sarilia offers the “best of both worlds”

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When Dayton and Courtney moved to Sarilia last fall, they were eager to embrace the active, outdoor lifestyle the river valley offers. Settling into their new home—complete with stunning sunset views—they’ve made the most of every opportunity to explore the natural beauty right outside their door. 

This spring, their love for the outdoors took on a new dimension with the arrival of their baby girl, Andy. Now, as they immerse themselves in Sarilia’s active lifestyle, they’ve begun a new chapter filled with riverside walks, family gatherings and long-term dreams for building a future in this place that already feels like home. 

Where were you living before you moved to Sarilia, and what made you decide to move here?

Dayton: We were living in Martensville. 

Courtney is from Spiritwood and moved out here for school. I’m from the Martensville area, and we lived there together for awhile. We started looking for a house in the summer of 2023, but we were having trouble finding one. We were unsure about what we were going to do, and then we found out Courtney was pregnant. 

Courtney: We wanted something outside the city, because we knew we wanted to raise our kids where they could go to a small-town school. I’m from a small town and I wanted that same experience for my kids. 

This house at Sarilia came up for sale and we came to look at it right away. 

Dayton: We came to look at it around sunset, and we walked out on the balcony and watched the sun setting over the river—and we were sold.

That was all it took?

Courtney: I would say the view at sunset, and reading the Sarilia blog. 

Once we moved in, we went on a walk by the river with friends. Being able to walk along the river trails was super nice.

Dayton: This whole environment at Sarilia was what we were looking for. 

We both grew up going to the lake during the summer. My parents have a cabin, so when we came out here, it felt like we were at the cabin—but, we’re close enough to the city that we can still work in Saskatoon. It’s just the best of both worlds. 

Courtney: I can work from home now, so that’s nice. (I’m on mat leave now), but next year I’ll be able to go out and work on the deck and take breaks to walk along the river, so that’ll be nice. 

What do you both like to do for fun?

Dayton: I like mountain biking, Ju-jitsu, going to the gym and running. 

Courtney: I love been with family. We have lots of family out here so I feel like I’m aways spending time with family—and friends. I love anything home decor. I feel like I’m always rearranging our house. I love interior design.

Do you remember how you first heard about Sarilia?

Courtney: We actually came and looked at another house here about 7 years ago.

Dayton: It was along Saskatchewan Road, where you first drive in. But we were younger and it wasn’t really right for us at the time. 

Courtney: We’d look at the Sarilia blog a lot. Learning what Sarilia had to offer helped a lot with our decision to move here. 

What do your friends and family say about Sarilia when they visit?

Dayton: Everybody mentions how nice it is out here.

Courtney: They all want to move out here (laughs). Dayton’s mom wants to move out here and his parents literally live down the road. 

Dayton: They live by Martensville, but my mom says, “Oh, it’s like the lake…it’s like the cabin. It’s the best of both worlds because it’s close to the city.” All of our friends come out to visit us and they absolutely love it. 

Courtney: We had a nurse come over in the spring and she said, “I’m going to drive around and try to find myself a house out here.”

Do you have any pets?

Dayton: We don’t but we’re hoping to get a dog once we kind of settle in with the baby. 

What was your first summer at Sarilia like?

Dayton: It was a very busy summer for us, but we went for lots of evening walks and met some of our neighbours. 

We also had a couple of moose wander through our yard, which was pretty cool. 

Were there any learning curves that came with moving to the country?

Dayton: No, not really because I grew up on an acreage, so it was all pretty familiar for me.

Courtney: We were also excited that the bus comes here and picks up the kids so that’ll be nice to have when Andy is school-aged. 

Is this a long-term home for your family?

Dayton: We would like to build here eventually. Our house is on the smaller side, so once we have more kids, we’re going to outgrow it. I was telling Courtney, “I want to stay here. I don’t ever want to move away.” When we’re ready for a bigger house, we’ll build a new house here. 

Would you want to build on a similar style of lot that you currently have?

Dayton: I like this lot—especially how well treed it is. I’d probably want to stay on this road we’re on and build on a similar lot—sheltered in the trees. 

Thank you Dayton and Courtney for taking the time to chat with us!

Nine lots remain on sale at Sarilia—including our only remaining riverfront lot, and one acreage property (2.19 acres). If you’d like to build your dream home in the river valley, contact Vaughn Krywicki today to arrange a tour. The lot sale ends December 15!

Leaving the city behind: Embracing peace and nature in the river valley

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We were thrilled to chat with Tell and May recently—a lovely young couple who traded the hustle and bustle of Saskatoon for the serene river valley community here at Sarilia. 

This spring and summer they were busy with wedding planning—they tied the knot in July—but they still found time to tend to their garden, take leisurely walks with their corgi along the river trails, and socialize with their neighbours. 

Do you remember how you first heard of Sarilia, and what your first impression was like?

Tell: I grew up outside of Radisson so I drove by Sarilia fairly often. And, it popped up again when we were looking for a new home and it seemed like a nice area. I liked the location—it was a good fit because it’s in between my hometown and Saskatoon.

May: I remember thinking that it was kind of weird that I had never heard of it before since it’s so close to Saskatoon. 

We were looking at houses for sale online, and we saw this one house on our Realtor’s website, and it had beautiful views. I was like, “Where is this? Is this an acreage?” I looked it up and I saw that it was Sarilia.

We drove over to see the house, and realized it wasn’t far from the city, and it’s literally in between Saskatoon and Radisson. And it was the direction we wanted to go, to move out of the city. We came in the winter to see it and really liked the river view and the  community. It just looked nice and peaceful—it reminded me of lake properties. 

What do you both like to do in your spare time?

Tell: I like hunting and fishing. 

May: One of my biggest hobbies is plants and gardening. I started doing a lot of gardening last year, and I’ve been working on our yard a bit. This year, I grew mostly flowers in our garden, and some vegetables in containers on our deck. 

That usually keeps me busy during the summers. Winter…not a whole lot (laughs).

Are there any outdoor activities you’ve tried nearby?

May: I tried learning how to skate, so we went into Langham to skate on the rink there. We started a bit late into the season so the rink at Sarilia had already melted.

Tell: We’ll try the rink at Sarilia this winter.

Do you have any pets?

May: We have a 2-year-old corgi named Mason. He likes running around down on the river trails. 

What made you decide to leave Saskatoon and buy a home at Sarilia?

Tell: I wanted to be out of the city for the most part. It’s definitely more peaceful being out of the city for me. I’ve got May on the same page as me now (laughs). 

Did you look at many homes at Sarilia before you settled on the one you purchased?

Tell: Yes, we looked at one or two before we bought this one. It was all just in a couple months’ span. 

May: The first one we looked at didn’t feel quite right for us, and we definitely wanted a little bit more of a river view. A Realtor told us that this house was actually going to be listed for sale a week later. Tell was out of town, so I came to see the house with his parents and then decided pretty much right away that we were getting this house. 

Tell: You can see the river from the deck, but you also have a view from inside the house.

Have you attended many social events at Sarilia?

May: We went to both Christmas parties the years we’ve been here, and there’s a ladies night that happens every once in awhile, and I’ve been to one. 

Have you done any paddling on the North Saskatchewan River this summer?

Tell: Yes, we’ve done some canoe trips down the river. We launch at Borden and paddle to River Ridge.

Thank you Tell and May, for taking the time to chat with us!

There’s never been a better time to make the move to Sarilia. Nine premium properties are on sale now.

Striking a balance: Embracing outdoor adventure and nature’s tranquility 

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We’re thrilled to introduce you to Linda and Dave, who made Sarilia their home in the spring of 2023. 

Join us as we delve into a Q&A with Linda to learn more about their move, their interests and what drew them to the river valley. 

Accompanied by their dog, Winnie, this outdoorsy couple has fully embraced the active lifestyle Sarilia offers, whether it’s hiking the River Ridge Trails, kayaking home from the Borden Bridge, or tending their plot in the community garden. 

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

We moved to Saskatchewan from Ingersoll, Ontario two years ago. We moved to Saskatoon first, and we were actually going to build a new home. 

The reason we moved to Saskatchewan was to be closer to our daughter—she moved here 7 years ago for a job. We started visiting and thought, “Oh, we really like Saskatchewan.” So, when it came close to retirement, we thought this would be a great place to live. 

I hear you have a dog, tell me about her. 

We have a dog named Winnie, like Winnie the Pooh, because she came from Winnipeg. She was a rescue. She’s a cattle dog cross. 

Winnie is a very high energy dog and we love to go to River Ridge Trails and let her run free so we can wear her out for the day. We also walk the road (#400) as it has very little traffic and we can let her off leash. She gets a really good run there as well, especially when chasing the odd deer.  

How did you first hear about Sarilia?

Originally we were going to build a new home, but this was during COVID, when the cost of building increased. We went online and happened to see a house for sale at Sarilia, and we came to look at it. And I fell in love with it immediately. 

Dave took a little bit of convincing. He wanted an acreage. But I said, “We’re getting older and we want something that we can close the door on and just go away, but still feel like you’re in a community.”

That was the other draw to Sarilia—even though you feel like you’re in the country you have that community that is close by and we have made friends here. Especially our neighbour next door. We keep an eye on each other’s places when we’re away.  It’s the best of both worlds here. 

We really, really like it. We have been here for a year now. And it actually happens that the house we bought here is similar to what we were going to build anyway. 

Have you had a chance to check out the River Ridge trails near Sarilia?

Yes! That’s a great trail system. 

If anybody is into any kind of walking or mountain biking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, they do such a great job over there. I can see the care they put into the trails throughout the year. 

We ended up talking to one of the guys who does the maintenance and handled a lot of the trail design and it’s clear that he really cares about it. If anybody is thinking of moving here, you can have a fairly active lifestyle, really close by, and then you can use the river to kayak and canoe. 

What were your main goals when you were looking for a new place to live?

Well, originally just some peace and quiet. Living in a town all my life, I was never exposed to any kind of wildlife other than raccoons and skunks and I wanted to see a little bit more of that. 

Living on the river, I knew we would get that. We’ve seen moose and lots of deer. It was that quiet, peaceful nature we were looking for. You feel like you are living in the middle of nowhere, but knowing that you’re not—there are neighbours nearby. 

I’m sitting in my kitchen now, and I can look out the window and see across the river to the fields on the other side. It’s really nice. We are right on the river. There are houses further back (away from the river) nestled into the trees, and I could also see that being a very peaceful experience too. 

Are you gardening in the community garden this year?

Yes, I took a plot last year. I learned a lot watching the other gardeners last year—I’ve planted things that the gophers aren’t interested in—like zucchini, potatoes and sunflowers. A lot of people planted onions last year and seemed to have success with them. The thing about the garden is that it helps you meet more people. 

I planted some tomatoes at the house, because you can do those in pots. And I think we’ll probably put in a raised bed here, but nothing too big—mostly for tomatoes and things that are nice to have around for cooking. 

What are some of Dave’s hobbies?

He likes to woodwork and putter. We’re both pretty outdoorsy—we like to canoe, kayak and hike. We like to go camping.

What kind of summer activities do you plan to do?

We have a canoe and two kayaks and we’ve already gone out on the river. We had family visiting so we went in at the Borden Bridge and paddled the kayaks all the way to our house, which was nice. 

We have started getting into birding so it has been great seeing all the different types of birds along the river and in our yard.

The river has been very beautiful this year since we have had so much rain. We have seen moose, deer, a bear and of course coyotes. They like to sing and talk in the morning and at night. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We have had a chance to meet more neighbours recently—spending a bit more time chatting and getting to know them. I know we will be very happy here for our retirement years.

We love it here. It’s perfect for people who like to spend time outside. 

There’s never been a better time to build your dream home at Sarilia, with our limited time lot sale, on now. Visit our property map page for more details.

Your New Beginning Starts Here! Price reduction on 10 river valley properties

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Sarilia isn’t just a residential development; it’s a lifestyle choice. Here, residents enjoy the perfect blend of rural tranquility and modern conveniences in the nearby Town of Langham. Imagine waking up to the sound of birdsong, with the picturesque North Saskatchewan River as your backdrop. This is the everyday reality for those who call Sarilia home. 

The decision to lower prices on select lots isn’t just about selling real estate; it’s about fostering a sense of community and belonging. Sarilia Country Estates isn’t just a collection of houses; it’s a vibrant, tight-knit community, where neighbours become friends and memories are made.

By reducing pricing on these lots, our aim is to welcome new residents who will contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of our community. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat from the city or a place to raise a family surrounded by nature, Sarilia offers the perfect setting to create the life you’ve always envisioned.

With ample opportunities for four-season recreation, including hiking the river trails, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife spotting, Sarilia is a haven for outdoor and nature enthusiasts. Yet, it’s also conveniently located just a short drive from Saskatoon, ensuring easy access to urban amenities and services.

Sarilia neighbours in community garden

If you’ve been dreaming of a life where the pace is a little slower, the air a little fresher, and the sense of community a little stronger, now is the perfect time to make that dream a reality. Sarilia invites you to explore its reduced-price lots and discover the magic of river valley living.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join a vibrant community where the beauty of nature meets the warmth of human connection. Come home to Sarilia Country Estates, where every day feels like a weekend getaway and neighbours are more like family.

View our reduced priced properties on our property map.

Contact Vaughn to arrange a guided tour today.

Harnessing the Sun: Sarilia shines with nearly 20% of homes powered by solar

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The homeowners at Sarilia are a shining example of sustainable living. As we grapple with the effects of global warming, our community is embracing energy efficient systems, including the use of solar panels (of which, 20% of Sarilia homeowners have installed), and grey water systems.

solar panels for Sarilia residence


We recently chatted with a few of these homeowners, to find out why they’ve incorporated these systems into their homes, and what savings they’ve found.  

Part 1 of the series is our Q&A with Ronn Lepage and focuses on solar power. Part 2 will include further Q&As with Sarilia residents, and their experiences with solar and grey water systems.

What were your own personal reasons for installing solar panels when you built your home?
We wanted to reduce our impact on the environment and save money.

What kind of savings have you seen as a result? What is the approximate payback period?
We have not had to pay for electricity since we installed the system. We generate approximately 7000 kWh per year of energy and we use about 5,000 a year in our home. Our payback period was about 5 years. We are on an older program—SaskPower ‘banks’ our excess production. I have now purchased an Electric Vehicle and will be able to use up the excess.

What year were the panels installed?
The panels were installed in June 2013 and SaskPower began accepting our energy in October 2013.

How has solar technology changed since then?
I’m not on top of the changes in the industry like I used to be. The productivity of the panels has increased significantly and the cost of panels has dropped. Regulations on installation are more stringent and SaskPower/Government assistance has decreased. 

What do you wish more people knew about solar power?
Everyone with the capacity to install panels should do it—it is a very good return on investment, it is good for the environment and the self satisfaction of receiving SaskPower bills with zero net energy consumption is a very special feeling.

Do you have any advice for someone considering adding solar panels to their home?
Work with a qualified Solar Electric installer. The small extra up-front cost will ensure a safe and reliable system. We got four quotes from different installers, and selected Rock Paper Sun. I am very impressed with the service. Rock Paper Sun installed our system over 10 years ago and they still (at no cost) monitor our system for anything unusual. 

Country road (and trail) refresh

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Road and trail improvements at Sarilia

This fall, Sarilia’s roads received a marvellous makeover. Green Earth Road Spraying, a Saskatchewan based company, treated our roads with a product that stabilizes the surface and controls the dust. This service was paid for by the RM of Laird. 

The roads will require less maintenance in the future, and the previous washboard texture is kaput! The roads are now safer and smoother—it feels like driving on asphalt—and our cars will stay much cleaner, making for fewer trips to the car wash. 

Our river trails also received a refresh, thanks to long-time friend-of-Sarilia Dale Rempel! After taking the family dog, Honey, for a stroll down to the river, resident Vaughn Krywicki told us, “Dale did a great job clearing the trails—widening them and creating a new trail where an old one was damaged.”

It really does take a village to keep our village in tip-top shape. Thank you Dale, for your commitment to our much loved river trails. 

If you haven’t been down to the trails lately, we encourage you to check them out this weekend!

A glimpse at our community garden

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A group of Sarilia neighbours gathered this spring to prep and plant this year’s garden.

I decided to plant a perennial flower garden this year, to reduce the amount of maintenance required on my own 1/2 size plot in Sarilia’s community garden. Last summer, we spent a lot of time camping with family, which made it hard to keep my plot in tip-top shape. Hence, why I’m keeping it simple this summer. 

My granddaughter, Hannah, lending me a hand in the garden.

The perennials I chose this spring are not only drought resistant, but they thrive in hot, dry weather. I planted Russian sage, iris, peonies, tickseed, sedum, potentilla and oriental lilies. I’ve also lined the walkway with four o’clocks (which are annuals and very showy) and giant marigolds for pest control (they have a strong scent and deter rodents). 

Four o’clock flowers

My neighbour, Will, has planted a whole plot of sunflowers, which will make for a beautiful garden backdrop this fall. Other gardeners have planted tomatoes of nearly every variety, squash, Spanish onion, carrots, beets, Yukon potatoes, beans, zucchini and cucumbers. 

We have one large communal strawberry patch, and some shared garlic and winter onion (which are also perennials). We’re already dreaming up plans for our gardeners’ party to celebrate the harvest this fall. We’ve decided that all the food for our party will be from the garden (salsa, potato salad, zucchini cake, dill pickles, borsht, etc.) Perhaps Will’s beautiful sunflowers will be the centrepiece.  — Gwen 

River Front, River View and River Ridge: The three categories of properties for sale at Sarilia

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Whether you’re seeking panoramic river views, or the privacy of being nestled within a well-treed lot, Sarilia offers three categories of lots to choose from—each with their own unique characteristics and vantage points: River Front, River View, and River Ridge. There’s also one remaining acreage property for sale at Sarilia, the details of which you’ll find below.

aerial image of houses and river at Sarilia Country Estates

Here’s a breakdown of each category, along with corresponding testimonials from Sarilia residents.

River Front

Our river front lots offer spectacular, uninterrupted views of the North Saskatchewan River valley—perfect for enjoying sunsets with a glass of wine on your deck. The natural prairie landscape keeps yard maintenance to a minimum. Most river front lots have direct access to the river. There are two remaining riverfront lots for sale—502 and 512 Saskatchewan Road. 

River front properties at Sarilia Country Estates

“Our new house is surrounded by trees. Our deck is quite high and it’s almost like being in a treehouse now because it’s enveloped in trees—it’s like a jungle in the spring and summer. There are so many birds—we’ve had robins nesting on the deck this summer and the bird feeders are always busy! We have chipmunks, squirrels and rabbits too as well as the occasional deer.” — Patti, River Front property owner

River view

The name says it all—the higher elevation of our River View lots guarantees a panoramic view of the river valley. All of the River View properties back onto municipal green space. Small trees, native shrubs and wildflowers create a beautiful backdrop to build your new home. These gently sloped lots are ideal for a walk-out basement design. 

River view homes at Sarilia Country Estates

“My friend came out here and said the view was just unreal, even from inside our house. Pretty much everybody says the view is just amazing from our house—from sitting in our living room, in our kitchen, or on our patio. We have a wraparound deck and everybody says the view is just spectacular.” — Tessa, River View property owner 

River Ridge

For those seeking privacy, our affordable River Ridge lots are well-treed, allowing you to build your new home nestled within the mature trees and native vegetation. All our River Ridge lots offer great potential for a rear walk-out design. 

River Ridge home at Sarilia Country Estates in winter
A River Ridge property, nestled in the trees.

“Everyone says it’s so beautiful out here—being in nature. They notice how quiet it is. If you are somebody like me, who still drive into Saskatoon every day for work, but you like to be in nature, it’s just a good option. It has the convenience of being close to the city, but it’s also a nice getaway from it.” — Taylor, River Ridge property owner

Acreage Property

There is one remaining acreage property for sale at Sarilia—451 Saskatchewan Road. At 2.19 acres, it offers plenty of flexibility in your building site and architectural style. The lot backs onto a municipal park with easy access to the central trail system. The icing on the cake? This property has expansive, unparalleled river views. The perfect blank slate to build your dream home.

Acreage property for sale near Saskatoon

“The lot is fantastic. It’s about 2 acres. We are at the top of the hill with panoramic views. I didn’t want to be surrounded by trees—some people love that, and it feels like a cabin—but I wanted river views. We also back the nature preserve. The front yard is over an acre, where the kids can play. That was always the point—if we built, we needed room for the kids to run, but we still wanted to be in a community.” —Kelsee, acreage property owner

To learn more about our remaining properties for sale, visit our property map, or contact Vaughn today for a tour.

Sarilia builds on community, connects with nature

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Imagine your family living in a setting that embraces Saskatchewan’s natural beauty and rugged charm.

Sarilia Country Estates is an intimate riverfront community nestled on the banks of the scenic North Saskatchewan River, about 4.5 km north of Langham.

“There is lots of space but you’re still close enough together to get to know your neighbours and create a sense of community,” says Vaughn Krywicki, sales agent for Sarilia Country Estates.

“Everybody knows each other, waves at each other and talks to each other when they walk by,” he says. “It’s kind of like going back to the way things used to be, to some degree.”

Did you catch Sarilia in the StarPhoenix? Read the whole article, written by Jenny Gabruch, here.

Sarilia neighbours in community garden

Building new at Sarilia: Contemporary, cosy & immersed in nature

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We met Taylor back in the fall of 2020, after she purchased a well-treed lot at Sarilia. As an architectural technologist, she was in the midst of planning her new build, a Humble Home, which she told us about in a previous blog post. 

Taylor and her dog at her new home at Sarilia Country Estates

Fast forward to today: she’s settled into her beautiful new home, and she’s now the owner of a sweet golden retriever named Theo. “He’s five months old now. He loves it out here—running around the yard, he just gets so excited,” she says. 

We recently caught up with Taylor to find out about how the build came together and what she thinks of her new life in the river valley. 

Taylor and Theo going for a walk in the North Saskatchewan River valley

Do you feel that the build of your new home went well overall?
I would say so. It was my first time project managing a build on my own, so it was definitely a learning experience but it was really cool to purchase the land and do the design myself and be really involved in the whole construction process. It was a really good experience for me. 

Taylor in her new home at Sarilia Country Estates

Can you tell me a about the layout of your home and how you designed it to fit your needs?
It’s kind of funny because I think I went through about 19 different floor plans before I found one I was happy with. It was a process.

The house has three bedrooms and two baths. I have my own bedroom and I wanted a spare room for guests, and the third bedroom is used as my office. I have my own drafting company and I also work from home sometimes in my full-time job with Voce Developments. It’s nice to have that separate space.

It’s open concept. It has a big vaulted ceiling in my kitchen/living room area—lots of windows for natural light. It’s so nice in here during the day because all the sunlight comes in and brightens it up. It’s calm and cosy.

If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you’d do differently in regards to the design or build?
I did all the painting myself, and next time I would definitely hire a painter! (Laughs) 

Theo in the snow at Sarilia

Can you paint me a picture of what your lot looks like?
I’m in the trees—my land was completely treed before I built. I have a view of the river bank on the other side.

Do you have a favourite room, or favourite feature in your new home?
I have a couple of decks off of the house. My deck on the front is covered, and I have a deck on the other side of the house, so it’s perfect. Any time of day, I can have sun or shade. I can see myself spending lots of time out there this summer. 

Back in 2020, you said it was more affordable to build a home like yours at Sarilia than to build or buy a new home in Saskatoon. Now that your home is complete, do you still feel that way?
Yes, I would definitely say so. My house is just over 1,100 sq. Ft. To buy a similar house in Saskatoon, I can imagine it costing a lot more. I also saved a lot of money by managing the build myself. The lots out here are so affordable. If you can be smart with where you’re spending your money, and how you design your home, it’s definitely more affordable to build at Sarilia.

Taylor standing in her new kitchen in her new build at Sarilia

You’ve been settled in now since the fall. How does it feel to live in a home that you design and managed the build for?
It’s honestly so rewarding. Just to come home and have that sense of accomplishment. Being out here is so beautiful, it’s so peaceful. The drive out really isn’t bad—the roads have been really good. Just coming out, being in the country, in nature—it’s awesome. You can watch the birds and hear the coyotes at night and it’s just so quiet. 

Have you met many of your neighbours at Sarilia?
There’s a ladies night that goes on here, so I went to that and met lots of women there. Everybody is so awesome. They’re so nice out here. 

I was here for Halloween and there were lots of trick-or-treaters coming to my door. One of the ladies made a map for Sarilia with all the houses handing out candy. And then everybody comes around—it was really cool. There’s such a sense of community here.

Even taking my dog for a walk, you see someone on the road and everyone stops and says hi. 

Taylor and her dog at Sarilia

Were there any learning curves that came with moving to the country?
For the first couple of months, it was just monitoring septic and water usage. (Sarilia homes use septic and cistern systems). I don’t use that much water—every couple of days I look at the water levels. 

There is someone who delivers the water, and he can do emergency runs if you need it, but typically he makes the rounds every two weeks. He’ll send an email in advance, asking how much water we need. It’s really easy.

What kind of winter activities do you plan to partake in at Sarilia?
There’s been talk about having a bonfire out here. I’d like to go cross-country skiing. The trails are just down the road. Just going out for walks and being in nature. 

Theo the dog at his new home at Sarilia Country Estates

What about summer activities?
Sarilia has its own beach, so I would like to go there this spring and summer. I paddle board and I fish, so I think being down by the river is just ideal for me. 

What do your friends and family say when they visit your new home for the first time?
Everybody says it’s so beautiful out here—being in nature. They notice how quiet it is, and say how gorgeous it is.

Now that you’ve lived at Sarilia for four months, what kind of person do you think would enjoy living here in the river valley?
If you are somebody, like me, who still drives into Saskatoon every day for work, but you like to be in nature, it’s just a good option. It has the convenience of being close to the city, but it’s also a nice getaway from it.