dwight-van-man

So I was more or less decided that Ontario was the province for me, but a few recent threads about Halifax have got me thinking.... Since theres so many people here who live in or around Halifax, I wondered if I post my location spec could you give me an idea whether or not I should seriously look at Halifax as an option?

My family are basically city people. We live in Edinburgh city centre at the moment and love having everything we need immediately available - that is, things for young kids to do, plenty shops, choice of schools, pubs, restaurants, sports, music venues etc Rural/small town life is a total no no - I can appreciate the country, but only if I can leave pretty quick!

Most of the posts I've read about Halifax are totally positive, but I'm just looking for opinions on what the lifestyles like.

Thanks!!

Beaverquest

you mean you want to hear some negative things about Halifax?........

dwight-van-man

balanced opinions!

val50

People wouldn't dare

Poppy2

I think you would just have to visit to be honest, hard to make a comparison for me. I would say that your aversion to rural is concerning as it is a large town, small city by UK standards, but never far from rural. Enough for us, most definately, but couldnt steer you on this one, sorry!

Paradisefound

I love Edinburgh, because I'm into cities with history and architecture and I also love Halifax. Halifax UK is not that bad either.
You should experience it for yourself, but then again don't you might be smitten.

dwight-van-man

Thanks! Have to say I'm not completely averse to rural (since theres a fair bit of it in Canada...) its just I grew up in a town of around 20,000 people and wouldn't subject my kids to that for the small town mentality and sheer lack of opportunities... From what I've read of Halifax it seems to have a similar vibe to Edinburgh... I'd love to do a recce visit, but I'm low on holiday time this year, so got to be sure where we want to check out before we come over again...

Do appreciate the comments

Poppy2

I see where you are coming from - yes Halifax is certainly not that small, and has a vibe, particularly as it has so many Universities and when the students have left in the summer, the tourists arrive and the place is busy and vibrant (by all accounts, I have only just arrived). Definately worth a visit. We love it.

dwight-van-man

Thanks - I was kinda struggling to explain what I wanted to know but Halifax is sounding more and more like a good option....

Paul Wildy

It has the heritage that you say is important - really beautiful period architecture. But if you are a self-confessed "city person" you might find it a bit small. It is really a large town - more the size of Carlisle than Edinburgh.

The one possible advantage is that, depending on your budget, you might be able to afford to live right downtown in Halifax whereas to buy somewhere next to the downtown core in a city like Toronto or Vancouver would be way beyond the budget of most.

dwight-van-man

Good point - the size of the town is probably secondary to facilities etc and having spent a good part of today on the province websites, rough guide, lonely planet etc etc etc (as well as the Halifax Mooseheads site!) it does seem to tick more boxes than I initially assumed... I'm trying not to get totally obsessed by house prices, but - wow!

Cheers for all the advice

LiffyB

Having lived near to Glasgow for most of my adult life (and 3 years in Halifax NS) we socialised in the Great Western Road Area of Glasgow which is very similar to the kind of life that you seem to have in Edinburgh and require in Canada. We loved living in Canada and likened the atmosphere in the Spring Garden Road area of Halifax to that of the GWR. Halifax has some great bars and resturants/cafe's and because of the 21 age restriction for drinking it has a grown up atmosphere rather than the silly teenage binge drinking culture in the UK at present. I remember Sunday Brunches in Halifax as having a great family atmospere particularly in the winter when everyone used the downtown venues as family meet up points.

Summer in NS and Halifax is wonderful and most of the socialising revolves around the waterfront, the Buskers Festival as I am sure many out there will agree is a particular favourite with locals and tourists alike. There's nothing better than sitting down at the Historic Properties with a glass of Keiths watching people promenading along the waterfront or watching the yachts going in and out of the harbour.

Winter in Halifax is another issue altogther - from personal experience I would say that entertainment is usually homegrown in the winter or trips to the movies. The bars downtown offer entertainment in the winter but attendance is usually weather driven (as are most events). You mentioned my beloved Mooseheads - well I certainly couldn't haven't survived winter if it hadn't have been for going to watch the Hockey (never call it Ice Hockey!).

The thing to remember about Halifax is that although Canada is a big country Halifax is certainly not a big city and dosn't have a big city atmosphere. You mention not liking rural life - well I give you a year in NS before you discover the art of rural living and a love for the 'great outdoors' - if you are positively against anything of the sort then NS isn't the place for you.

I'm fortunate to be going back to live there next year - life isn't always a bunch of roses in NS and the winters can be hellish to cope with - but having weighed up the odds I'd rather return to Halifax than continue to live in the UK. I would absolutley advise on doing a recce, the East Coast of Canada is very different to the West Coast which is the vision of Canada that most people have. It's rural - flat(ish) - small pine trees - and full of lakes - life isn't always better - just different!

I hope this helps

Liffy