Inside my digs: Alderney Drive

Christina Elgee and her husband Matt Davis both work in Halifax and love to live in Dartmouth. After moving to town from Fredericton, and renting a less-than-ideal spot in Cole Harbour, they settled on buying something of their own. “We’re really active, our jobs are really busy, we walk everywhere and we’re always doing something,” says Elgee of the condo they bought late last year. “Our old place was very dark and out of the way, it’s nice having something accessible and just coming home to the calm of it. It’s nice to have that little oasis.”

Here’s what sold them on their sunny spot.


The space
A 1,200 square foot one-bedroom plus den in downtown Dartmouth.

The location
Elgee and Davis wanted downtown perks but didn’t love the idea of living in Halifax, so Alderney Drive’s gateway to restaurants and small businesses—and the fact the ferry is basically in their front yard—made it a dream destination to live. “Just be able to walk across the street and get your veggies for the week at the market, or go for a beer on a Tuesday, or get all my Christmas shopping done within five blocks,” says Elgee. “We use the car maybe twice a month if we go to the valley or home to Fredericton.”


The selling points
“It’s brand new, modern and when you walk in there’s so much light,” says Elgee of the floor-to-ceiling windows. “I’m really big on the natural sunlight and there’s the bridge and harbour view—that was a key selling point.” Along with those bright, outside vibes, the condo’s access to the outdoors was a standout feature. A 32-foot patio spans the length of the unit plus, there’s a shared rooftop with a barbecue and fire pit. Added bonus? The neighbouring Dartmouth commons gets a paws-up from their pug, Sybil. “We can just let her run around and bark at pigeons.”

The look
Davis, an architect, is the home’s visionary. He’s all about clean lines and modern design. “I’m big on colour and floral patterns and bright stuff. I’ll throw in ridiculous art and he can pick what frame it goes in,” says Elgee of their neutral space, which she’s come to appreciate. While the couple has been picking away at the condo’s look since moving in last fall, for her the evolution of its layout keeps things interesting. “Matt is constantly changing things, I’ll come home and he’ll have rearranged the furniture completely. Our lighting will probably change once a year, it’ll be a constantly evolving space.” The unit, which Elgee calls “cozy without being stifling” stays airy thanks to lots of white, beige and light wood. Possibly colour coordinated with their pets? “The dog blends in with the floor, the cat blends in with the couch.”