It's not about Costco: Why Rick Green is among first to move into Galway

Rick Green is on track to become one of Newfoundland'sfirst Galwegians but he's notmoving to Danny Williams's St. John's mega-development for the weather or the shopping.

"This is a beautiful, beautiful area. The environmentaround here is exceptional," said Green, who expects to move into his new home in Galwayin March.

We get an opportunity to see it develop and grow over the long term.- Rick Green

"When I look out the window here I seethe trees and the sky. When I walked the streets and the pathways,I said 'Wow, this is a place I want to live.'"

It's been seven years since former Newfoundland and Labrador premier, Danny Williams, announced plans to build a 2400-acre community on the outskirts of St. John's.

The city's largest-ever subdivision is expected to one day include5,000 residential units, including houses, townhouses, apartments and condos.

Criticshave called it Dannyland or Afdanistan and scoffed thatit willnever happen.

• A 1st look at the homes in the St. John's Galway development

But now, a handful ofpeople aregetting ready to callGalway"home." Green could be the first resident.

"It's exciting. We get an opportunity to see it develop and grow over the long term," he said.

Costco not the attraction

It's impossible to talk about Galwaywithout mentioning Costco. When news broke that the popular retailerwas moving from the east end of St. John's, it sparked a flurry of reaction both good and bad.

• Costco looking to set up in Danny Williams's Galway
• Costco confirms move to Galway

But Green, 61, says he didn't move back to Newfoundland for the shopping.

Having grown up in St. John's, he'slived and worked in many parts of the world with the CHCHelicopter Corporation, spending 10years in British Columbia.

"Newfoundland is a different environment. The people are different. Much more friendly I think," said Green.

"But what they are creating here is very similar to the planned communities I experienced in British Columbia. So Costco isn't a big attraction for me."

That may not be the case for everyone. For those looking forward to shopping at the new store, construction crews are busy preparing a large site for what is expected to be one of the biggest Costcosin Atlantic Canada

Might not be last stop

Greenestimates his bungalow will cost more than $600,000dollars when it's finished and won't bethe most expensive home on Galway Boulevard. There are other, two-storey homes listed for more.

He and his wife, Cynthia, are keen to move in but having lived inmore than half-a-dozen new homes over the years, Greenjokes that Galwaymay not be his last stop.

"The fruits of all my labour turns out to be building this last house, as my wife says. I think it's probably my second-last one."

So, Where will his last house be?

"I'm not sure. It all depends on who's got the vision and the community that I may want to buy into in the future."