Hey,

We are starting our 2 year IEC at the beginning of October and we had originally planned to stay in Toronto for the first 6 months or so before moving on and seeing as much as we can of Canada. One of the lads was chatting to a friend from home who had lived in Halifax for a year before and had nothing but good things to say so he has suggested that we head there instead.

Just wondering as to what everyone's opinions are on where we would be most successful as to getting set up, jobs/accomodation/enjoying a Canadian lifestyle etc. 99% of people seem to head to the bigger cities such as Toronto or Vancouver so trying something different is starting to appeal to us. There are 3 of us around 25 and to be honest although we have experience as young professionals we wouldn't mind to be doing any kind of jobs be it bar work/retail/general warehouse etc to get set up and have a few dollars in our pockets at the end of the week to be able to go enjoy our weekends and go skiing or treking and enjoy the outdoors!

Would really appreciate your comments on whether it would be a good idea,

Thanks!

I work with a group of young (late 20's) men who all went to UNB here in the Maritimes, but every one of them says that if they were to move somewhere else it would be to Halifax. I haven't heard one negative comment on the City, and am really looking forward to going to visit the place myself.

It's nowhere near as large or as busy as Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal... It might be a great idea to start there and find your feet...

Also Maritimers are very warm and welcoming people so I have been told.

My son who is nearly 22 came with me to Toronto last month. He had it in his head that he wanted to move there as it was more of a "happening" city. However after a few days of being shoved on the subway, shoved on the streets and generally people being less courteous he decided he was quite happy in Halifax...this from a big 6'4" man btw..

Being the Provincial capital it has most amenities that you would need. The bottom line is the work situation. If you can find something to support yourselves it's fine. If you can't get decent employment it would be miserable, just like anywhere else.
Good luck.

I liked Halifax the couple of times I went there and we're planning to visit next year. There are a good number of bars and lots of live, though fiddly-diddly, music.

Knocks I have heard against it (mostly from the daughter who went to university there):

- several universities so everyone has two degrees, you need three to be a shop manager

- lack of diversity, "send curry powder" "send sushi"

Not a long list but she was happier in Montreal, it's bigger.

There are quite a few good sushi bars here now, along with some decent nightclubs and bars and pubs.
I find it pretty busy in the evening and of course its got the waterfront so has options like "The Bounce Party Boat"

Maybe start here, get a job, see if you settle in and go from there

you want negative comments ?

Go on...tempt me

Thanks for the replies! wouldn't be a big fan of curry powder now but aside from that seems generally positive! with regards housing etc in halifax and public transport, is it generally easy enough to get around and to rent? just thinking about where to live and transport to work and that.

I hear the people are lovely people, in general like are there many immigrants in the area? just thinking how much an irish accent might stand out with the ladies!!

If you come further east...(St John's) then it won't at all. People will think you are a local.

They'd just think "OMG another Guinness swilling Brendan Behan wanna be ! They are very sophisticated women don't you know, eh