Tessa Carla Blog's: 7 Homes in Point Roberts: Idyllic U.S. Outpost Is a Perfect Place to Self-Isolate

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

7 Homes in Point Roberts: Idyllic U.S. Outpost Is a Perfect Place to Self-Isolate

Staying away from people is the thing to do during a pandemic.

Isolation from the crowd is a true luxury, and the tiny town of Point Roberts, WA, should be considered for placement atop the list of luxury locales at the moment. For its approximately 1,300 residents, physical distancing is a part of life.

Point Roberts is a pene-exclave—and we won’t fault you if you’re unfamiliar with the term. A pene-exclave is part of one country (the United States), but convenient access to the place is from another country, in this case Canada.

In case you’re wondering, Point Roberts became a pene-exclave in June 1846, when the United Kingdom and the U.S. settled a border dispute.

The Oregon Treaty stated the 49th parallel would divide the U.S. and Canada, but Point Roberts, the tip of a peninsula, lies just south of the line. And although it is attached to Canada, the island would be considered part of the U.S.

The only way to get to Point Roberts and stay entirely within the confines of the U.S. is by water. To get there by land, you’d need to drive from Washington, cross the border into British Columbia, head north a bit toward Vancouver, then turn back south, go through the town of Tsawwassen, British Columbia, and cross the border back into the U.S. at the Point Roberts Port of Entry. In total, the trek through Canada is about 25 miles.

With borders now closed to nonessential travel because of COVID-19, this trip is now difficult. But it also means you wouldn’t be getting any drop-in visitors. So if you’re looking to cut yourselves off from the American populace and wait the pandemic out in solitude, a few great homes are available in Point Roberts at various prices.

1. 408 High Bluff Dr

Price: $1,995,000
Faces Canada: This high-end home was built in 2010 and offers views of Boundary Bay and Mount Baker. It has four bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen with Wolf appliances, and a main-floor master suite with two walk-in closets.

The home sits on 9.37 acres, has 3,343 square feet of living space, and comes with an oversize three-car garage with room for a workshop.

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2. 1453 Edwards Dr

Price: $791,000
Nature views: The price was just reduced on this waterfront home. You can watch whales play right outside your back door or kayak to your heart’s content. Built in 2005, the 2,276-square-foot home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master bedroom has a fireplace and patio access.

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3. 723 Walters Ln

Price: $799,000
Midcentury beauty: Built in 1960, this 1,512-square-foot home sits on a third of an acre and spans two lots. The home faces west, so you can watch the sunset over the water each night.

The three bedrooms and two bathrooms are all on one floor, and large windows highlight the views of the San Juan Islands.

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4. 1484 Edwards Dr

Price: $429,000
Beach access: Enjoy the beach life in this three-bedroom home in the Ocean View Estates community. Built in 1993, it is 2,381 square feet and has two stories with a roughed-in basement.

The living area is on the upper floor and includes the kitchen, dining room, living room, and more. The bedrooms are on the main level, and the views are simply amazing.

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5. 157 Northwood Dr

Price: $419,500
Near the border: This 1,680-square-foot house sits just a couple of blocks away from the border and has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The ranch-style house was built in 2007 and sits on a quiet street. Vaulted ceilings and skylights let in abundant natural light. The listing also includes an additional lot for a large backyard.

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6. 1469 Gulf Rd

Price: $320,000
Right on Main Street: This house has some history behind it. Built in 1900, it’s served as a home, an office, a retail store, and a distribution center. Currently, it can be used as a single-family home or for commercial purposes. The four-bedroom dwelling sits on almost on acre on the main commercial street in Port Roberts.

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7. 1966 Raleigh Dr

Price: $237,500
Privacy guaranteed: Sitting at the end of a street with a large yard, this two-bedroom, two-bath house measures 1,200 square feet and was built in 1994. Through the large windows, you can see the city and mountains of Canada. An inviting deck wraps around the house for enjoying the views.