About Summerside
Summerside occupies a particular position in the PEI story: it's the city that exists in Charlottetown's shadow without actually living in it. Prince County's capital and PEI's second-largest urban centre, Summerside has always had its own economic logic — fox farming in the silver fox era of the early 20th century (which made some Summerside families briefly wealthy in ways that still show in the housing stock), then the RCAF and later Canadian Forces base that defined the city's economy from the 1940s until CFB Summerside's closure in 1989. The base closure was a crisis that Summerside handled better than almost anyone expected, converting the facility into Slemon Park, now an aerospace and technology hub that employs thousands and anchors the city's post-military economy.
The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts is the cultural fact about Summerside that tends to surprise people. One of only five bagpipe colleges in the world, it draws students from Scotland, the United States, Australia, and across Canada, runs a summer Celtic festival series, and gives Summerside a musical identity that few cities of 16,000 people anywhere in the world can match. The harness racing at Summerside Raceway, a tradition since the 1890s, is the other distinctly Prince County entertainment institution — Saturday evening race nights draw crowds who know the horses by name and the drivers by reputation.
For real estate buyers, Summerside offers a compelling alternative to Charlottetown's increasingly competitive market. The harbour views from Spinnaker's Landing are genuine, the Confederation Trail runs directly through the city, Prince County Hospital provides full regional health services, and prices typically run 15–20% below comparable Charlottetown properties. Buyers who have been priced out of the capital's heritage neighbourhoods find that Summerside's own older residential areas — Granville Street, central neighbourhoods near the waterfront — offer similar Victorian and Edwardian character at more accessible price points.
Property Types
🏠 Heritage Homes
Victorian and Edwardian homes near the waterfront and Granville Street — Summerside's heritage streetscapes are less famous than Charlottetown's but equally well-built, with a silver fox-era prosperity still visible in the finer examples.
From ~$280K
🏡 Suburban Homes
Modern and mid-century residential in Slemon Park area, South Summerside, and Wilmot — newer builds with attached garages, school proximity, and easy Trans-Canada access.
From ~$320K
🌊 Waterfront Properties
Northumberland Strait-facing homes and near-harbour properties — warm strait water (warmest north of Virginia), stunning sunset views, and boating access.
From ~$420K
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Summerside PEI known for?
Summerside is PEI's second-largest city and the capital of Prince County. It's known for the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts (one of only five colleges of piping in the world), the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex (harness racing and entertainment), the Eptek Art and Culture Centre, and its position on the Northumberland Strait with a working harbour. Summerside is also the gateway community for travelers arriving via the Confederation Bridge.
How does Summerside compare to Charlottetown for real estate?
Summerside typically offers lower average prices than Charlottetown — often 15–20% less for comparable property types. It has a strong local economy independent of the capital, with CFB Summerside's former base having been redeveloped into the Slemon Park industrial and aerospace complex. Buyers seeking PEI lifestyle at more affordable price points increasingly look to Summerside.
What is the College of Piping?
The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada in Summerside is one of only five bagpipe colleges in the world and the only one in the Americas. It offers programs in Highland bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes, tin whistle, Highland dancing, and Celtic drumming. The college brings international students to Summerside and runs summer Celtic music events that draw visitors from across North America.
What employment opportunities does Summerside have?
Summerside's economy includes Slemon Park (aerospace and technology companies on the former CFB Summerside base), provincial government services, healthcare at Prince County Hospital, the College of Piping, retail and hospitality for the broader Prince County region, and traditional fishing and food processing.
What is the Confederation Trail in Summerside?
The Confederation Trail is a 470-kilometre trail running the length of PEI on the former CN Rail railway corridor. Summerside is a major hub on the trail, with the rail station converted to a trailhead facility. Cyclists, walkers, and cross-country skiers use the trail year-round. The Summerside section provides direct trail access through the city's commercial core and connections westward to Tignish and eastward toward Charlottetown.
What is PEI's Land Transfer Tax for Summerside buyers?
PEI charges Land Transfer Tax at 1% of the purchase price on the portion over $30,000. Non-resident buyers pay an additional 1% Non-Resident Real Property Transfer Tax. PEI also restricts non-residents from purchasing more than 5 acres of land without provincial approval. On a $320,000 Summerside home, a resident buyer pays approximately $2,900 in Land Transfer Tax.
