Hey

Halifax is a great area but it has it's good and bits parts just like anywhere - and of course it depends on what you are looking for. We've moved to the west end of Halifax in the city - my sister lives in the 'suburbs' in Fall River (it isn't really a rural area - just suburbs with HUGE plots and houses) and my mom lives out in the country, so we can just go visit them when we crave our country fix! Heh. For us, suburbs or rural just wasn't what we wanted. We live on a lovely friendly quiet street within walking distance of lots of shops and restaurants, buses, schools and activities for adults and kids. We only need one car and probably won't use that a huge amount, which makes me very happy since I hate driving and the pollution it causes. Our yard is plenty big enough for us (heaps bigger than what we had in the UK) and we won't have to spend our weekends maintaining it! Plus we can just go to the lovely parks nearby or visit family when we want more space for running around and we don't have to mow it! I guess we are just lazy

But yes, roads here are terrible - but that isn't NS specific. I also find fruit and veg a bit lacking here. Bedford Highway, on a bus or in a car, is my version of hell - I feel for you completely on that one. As for people begging, I think I've only seen three to be honest - but the same three seem to be popping up! Whatis up with the standing in the middle of an intersection with a sign? Things must really be desperate to do that - can't be anyone's idea of fun.

I hoppe it all works out for you - it's never nice to live somewhere you don't like. WHen I first moved to England I hated it and would have left if it hadnt' been for my husband but ended up loving the place, so who knows what might happen!!

Just for information's sake, a substantial number of the beggars are not from NS and are not actually badly off. There seems to be a section of the population that drifts around Canada according to whim and weather, trying to find the best places to scrounge. A lot come to the Maritimes because they have heard people are friendly and generous, and hope that will extend to giving them handouts. Another large amount end up in Vancouver and Victoria because it is warmest. I have absolutely no sympathy for these people, especially when they try tricks like keeping a pet or waving signs to play on people's emotions.

And before I get flamed for being a cold-hearted neo-conservative, this trend is well-documented by governments, community organizations and the press.

And the Potholes in the road, well I never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One hour south of Halifax is Bridgewater, that looks like it has been "carpet bombed" regularly!!!

We have been in Nova Scotia since 7th December ...we have been driving all around the suburbs,Halifax and Dartmouth looking for the ideal base in which to settle with our kids and dog...which is also close to Bedford as my husbands office is there...as is our Real Estate Office to which we have made frequent visits.. having viewed over 40 houses.....
Bedford is busier than other areas but then given its proximity to Halifax thats hardly surprising..and yes the houses we have seen there are not on huge lots....but then how many acre lots do you get within a 10 min drive to the city of London?
We have now settled on a house in Hammonds Plains...20mins from Bedford (in rush hour) on a 2 plus acre lot...and come to that how many 2 acre lots do you get within a 30 min drive of the city of London?
Crime - yes again - i guess the closer you are to a city the more chance there is this will affect you...we have seen nor had any experience of crime since our arrival.....the pupils in the school in which i work would regulary commit crimes in the UK....ranging from vandalism to serious physical assault- and by the way these were primary age school children - tomorrows uk residents...and the school was at least a 2 and a half hour drive from London in a picture postcard English village...
Beggars - We saw our first yesterday standing in the middle of the road with a placard..in the centre of Halifax. I cannot remember a single trip into London, in the last few years when i was not approached by a beggar on either the mainline or undergroung train network...even if my family were with me...and on more than one occasion in a very threatening manner.
So in my humble opinion...yes Nova Scotia has crime/beggars/traffic....but in no way as widespread and deep rooted as the Uk...and anyone who thinks otherwise should pop back and get a reality check...after removing their rose tinited glasses of course..

I observed a group of 20+ high school children in a fast food joint one lunch time gather all the available chairs and tables and form a group seating arrangement, whilst they dined.

Then (and this would never happen in the UK) they placed all their trash in the bins and returned all the chairs and tables to the original positions that they were taken from earlier.

Never, never ever had I seen this done in the UK.

I state this for the benefit of those considering bringing their family to Canada.

Civility still lives here!