“I’m busy doing what i like to do,” says the bridge-playing Stewart, who moved to Ryerson Commons two years ago from her previous home in the rural community of Roseneath, a half an hour north of Cobourg. She’d lived in the larger town years before and had always intended to return to what she considers her adopted home community on the north shore of Lake Ontario. “I’ve lots of friend in this community. I moved here for the builder’s reputation for quality, the aesthetics, and to be close to all the things I love about Cobourg,” she added, describing the spaciousness of her lofted bungalow, the entertainment value of the town’s waterfront goings-on, and the “tons” of theatre, music and film activities that provide a cultural bounty. “Cobourg is a happy, safe community and Ryerson Commons has a nice atmosphere where it’s easy to make friends.”

Tucked in a more established section of town, Ryerson Commons has tree-lined streets and trails leading to nearby parks the lakeside promenade, and the shops of Cobourg’s historic downtown – all just a stroll away. Stewart says she also likes the turnkey condo-structure of the close community that ensures her home is secure and well-maintained so she can travel worry free to destinations further afield.

Between volunteering at the local hospital, with troubled youth and on a regional poverty-reduction coalition, she fits in the occasional game of tennis and looks forward to getting involved in the neighborhood recreation centre that just opened. “I’ve had a great life and this is adding to it,” she smiles.