Fuelled by dreams of a simpler, fuller life, they began to make plans. The couple drove across Canada for the next five months in their new motorhome in search of the perfect village. Along the way, they used their onboard computer to set up a database of information on all the towns they visited and by the time they reached St. Andrews, they were ready to put down roots. The couple, both 38, now run Townsearch Information Services Inc. which published a guidebook in 1995 based on their experience and runs a website offering details of small towns and villages across the country. The Web database is growing every day and will eventually give complete listings on the more than 200 towns they visited, offering everything from average house prices and residential and industrial taxes to the availability of health care and schools.
Chambers says they get e-mails all the time.
Retirees who aren't even 50 yet, people from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver. Today, she and Gauley are the best advertisement for their new company. They now have time for the volunteer work they've always wanted to do. Gauley is vice-president of the local chamber of commerce. Chambers chairs the daffodil festival and is starting a local newspaper.