Have you been considering your long-distance move? Are you searching for a place to move to in Canada? Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital, might just be the right place for you to fit in.
Halifax is thinly populated with not more than 440,000 people living in the metropolitan area. This capital city is an excellent escape for those seeking to live other than the larger cities like Montreal or Toronto.
Halifax offers a slow-paced life to the people. However, the work-life balance here is pretty good and it also has a friendly culture.
Halifax exact location
Halifax is located near the Canadian East Coast in Nova Scotia, the maritime province. It is also small in size and has the shape of a lobster claw. The lobster is the most popular sea creature in Nova Scotia. Halifax is truly the largest Canadian city situated in the east of Quebec. As far as the distance is concerned, driving from Halifax to Montreal would take at least twelve hours while driving from Montreal to Toronto would take around six hours.
Population- Halifax, Nova Scotia
The latest census report claimed that Nova Scotia comprised a total population of less than one million. Montreal’s population is greater than Nova Scotia is just a quarter of its entire population size. Additionally, its size is one-sixth of the entire population in GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
Halifax’s population of 400,000 makes it the 13th largest city in the country. However, the small population size has nothing to do with the good things it has to offer immigrants. The East Coast location attracts newcomers for its slow-paced lifestyle, and the serenity it offers to them, unlike the cities which are fast-paced, busy, and noisy.
Owning a life in Halifax
Halifax has a quality and standard of life despite its slow-paced environment. The city is located on the Atlantic coast and has more to offer, especially during the hot summer days. Now that means you could simply walk on the boardwalk, inhale the ocean breeze, and might as well have a great time at the Halifax Busker Festival. You could even happen to come across a street performer making your day more delightful.
The city offers a varied range of bars, pubs, and restaurants where you could make merry by drinking and dining. The city is full of places adding a touch of Celtic, emphasizing the historical significance of Nova Scotia. The province is attracting an increased number of immigrants every year constantly. With this constant increase, the diversity in Halifax is also on the rise. Residents who have been a part of Halifax for a long time, along with newcomers and tourists learn a lot from different cultures and living experiences. The city is certainly not one for ambitious people seeking high-salaried jobs, unlike Toronto. Contrarily, you could get a safe place to escape from the everyday bustle of life, a slow-moving environment, and small towns surrounding you with their natural and astonishing beauty.
Nova Scotia is remarkably known for its picturesque sites including the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Cape Breton Highlands, several provincial parks, and lakes. Enjoying hiking in forests, and waterfalls, and paddling amidst lakes are a few perks of living there.
Halifax Housing
Finding accommodation in Halifax is far easier compared to other larger cities like Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto. The accommodation is feasible but with the growing demand for housing in Halifax, the cost is relatively high as opposed to the rest of the small towns located in the Atlantic region.
As per research, the average rental cost of an apartment (with one bedroom) in the Halifax center costs around CAD $1,373 every month, while the cost outside it would be around $981. The three-bedroom apartments would cost more, approximately $2,200 inside the city center, while the ones outside the city center would cost around $16,00. If we compare the rental costs with Toronto, then in Halifax they’re reduced by 40 percent.
Purchasing a home in Halifax implies that you will have to combat the real estate market. Getting a house in Halifax would cost you around $320,000 (on average). The availability of houses in the area accounts for 2000. Compared to the costs on the East Coast, one might find it expensive, but looking at it from a broader perspective, from that of Toronto and Vancouver, it appears affordable.
Suppose the housing cost inside Halifax seems too much, you might try your luck outside Halifax with more affordable options available. For instance, Moncton city, located in New Brunswick has 65 percent lower rental and housing costs, in contrast to Toronto.
Halifax Transportation
The transportation options prevailing in Halifax can be simply classified into four main categories including bike, bus, car, and walking. Mostly, all the individuals in the town easily access the services they require through these four modes of transportation. However, traveling with your family might have to travel longer and if you happen to reside outside the town, you might consider purchasing or leasing a car for sure.
Halifax largely functions through a public transit system with several bus routes available across the city and the other areas surrounding it. Adults can access the facility by paying $2.75 and a monthly transportation pass costs around 82.50. Halifax is devoid of any railway system or a subway. It operates its bus system on a massive scale, with sufficient buses. The city isn’t exactly cycling-friendly if compared to larger cities such as Vancouver or Toronto. It has only limited tracks and paths carved out for cyclists. However, biking appears more convenient in Halifax.
Halifax Education
Canada on the whole consists of a publicly-funded education system and Halifax is no exception to this. Children can easily attain education up to High School for free and parents could even opt for private schools, only if they’re interested in paying for some added advantages associated with private schools. Nova Scotia has a commendable public schooling system. The province has a few minor challenges like not being able to minimize the class size and arrange sufficient teaching resources. Apart from these, the education system is great. Students who perform extraordinarily well can access advanced study levels, along with co-curricular activities, programs, art, music, dance, etc.
However, the education level and quality vary from place to place; therefore, it is suggested that you conduct thorough research for your destination.
Halifax provides several alternatives for college and university studies for the post-secondary level of education. The city is home to university campuses, such as Mount. St. Vincent University, University of King’s College, and Dalhousie University. There is also a local campus known as the Nova Scotia Community College, indicating more feasible education options for college-level education. The local campus offers an education with several available certified programs and diplomas to prepare students to contribute to the existing workforce.
Conclusion
Moving to Halifax in Nova Scotia would be a good choice, only if you’re ready to fit in with the lifestyle and culture it offers. Also, you will need to carefully analyze whether the advantages it provides are something that you value.
