Housing options
Mar 5th 2014, 1:18 pm
#31
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Re: Housing options
The other thing to consider is that houses can sell really slowly in NS so if you decide you do want to move & all your money is tied up in the house you may end up stuck for a while
Mar 5th 2014, 2:27 pm
#32
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Re: Housing options
High cost of living, high taxes, comparatively very little to do (limited choice of restaurants, places to go etc). The malls, if you/your wife likes to buy clothes, are shocking. It's very isolated- it's a good 7-8 hour drive to the US border. The nearest big city is Montreal (10+ hours away). In many ways, it's stuck in a timewarp- example, Ikea opened there around 10 years ago and had to close it's doors due to poor business (some might say a lack of Ikea is a positive 
, but i think it demonstrates the reaction to "new" things)
, but i think it demonstrates the reaction to "new" things)Personally I couldn't stand to live in Fall River, just seems like a load of boring box stores & full of British people, & I can imagine there isn't much to do unless you go into Halifax.
I'm sure if people ventured a bit further & got a real taste of NS they would like it more. In my town there's always lots of events going on, there's hiking trails, quaint little shops/galleries & about 20 restaurants/cafes (which for a town of only 480, that's not bad). My only issue is the nearest cinemas are an hour away but the theatre does play a new release every week, so it could be worse.
Yeah it may take a while to drive to the US but if you do you are on the East coast which has got to be better than driving south from Manitoba & ending up in North Dakota. Plus New York is only a 2 hour plane journey.
I think for people who want the same life they've had in the UK, Nova Scotia is not for you. For those that want a laid back lifestyle, who are a bit outdoorsy, like to be part of a community, & aren't too bothered by having 'stuff' then it's perfect (of course depending on your work/financial situation)
Mar 5th 2014, 3:52 pm
#33
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Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Housing options
It's a lot different to the UK where we've been spoilt for choice, that's for sure, but is that really a bad thing? After all there's a reason we all wanted to leave in the first place.
Personally I couldn't stand to live in Fall River, just seems like a load of boring box stores & full of British people, & I can imagine there isn't much to do unless you go into Halifax.
I'm sure if people ventured a bit further & got a real taste of NS they would like it more. In my town there's always lots of events going on, there's hiking trails, quaint little shops/galleries & about 20 restaurants/cafes (which for a town of only 480, that's not bad). My only issue is the nearest cinemas are an hour away but the theatre does play a new release every week, so it could be worse.
Yeah it may take a while to drive to the US but if you do you are on the East coast which has got to be better than driving south from Manitoba & ending up in North Dakota. Plus New York is only a 2 hour plane journey.
I think for people who want the same life they've had in the UK, Nova Scotia is not for you. For those that want a laid back lifestyle, who are a bit outdoorsy, like to be part of a community, & aren't too bothered by having 'stuff' then it's perfect (of course depending on your work/financial situation)
Personally I couldn't stand to live in Fall River, just seems like a load of boring box stores & full of British people, & I can imagine there isn't much to do unless you go into Halifax.
I'm sure if people ventured a bit further & got a real taste of NS they would like it more. In my town there's always lots of events going on, there's hiking trails, quaint little shops/galleries & about 20 restaurants/cafes (which for a town of only 480, that's not bad). My only issue is the nearest cinemas are an hour away but the theatre does play a new release every week, so it could be worse.
Yeah it may take a while to drive to the US but if you do you are on the East coast which has got to be better than driving south from Manitoba & ending up in North Dakota. Plus New York is only a 2 hour plane journey.
I think for people who want the same life they've had in the UK, Nova Scotia is not for you. For those that want a laid back lifestyle, who are a bit outdoorsy, like to be part of a community, & aren't too bothered by having 'stuff' then it's perfect (of course depending on your work/financial situation)
I think this is very well put. Different people want different things from life. One size doesn't fit all. To some degree being on an Island myself, it could be argued we're a bit "isolated" from the rest of Canada, but for me - at the moment anyway - that's fine.Horses for courses!
Mar 5th 2014, 4:05 pm
#34
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Mar 5th 2014, 5:35 pm
#35
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Re: Housing options
Ultimately, city or rural is dependant on what you are looking for.
Just remember that small town NS (Canada probably) can be cleeky... In NS certainly for the next 100 years you will be a "come from aways"...
Just remember that small town NS (Canada probably) can be cleeky... In NS certainly for the next 100 years you will be a "come from aways"...
Mar 5th 2014, 7:00 pm
#36
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,609
Re: Housing options
High cost of living, high taxes, comparatively very little to do (limited choice of restaurants, places to go etc). The malls, if you/your wife likes to buy clothes, are shocking. It's very isolated- it's a good 7-8 hour drive to the US border. The nearest big city is Montreal (10+ hours away). In many ways, it's stuck in a timewarp- example, Ikea opened there around 10 years ago and had to close it's doors due to poor business (some might say a lack of Ikea is a positive , but i think it demonstrates the reaction to "new" things).
, but i think it demonstrates the reaction to "new" things).
Mar 5th 2014, 8:34 pm
#38
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Re: Housing options
People can be cliquey anywhere though even the UK, whether it's at the school gates or in a new job, some people just decide your face doesn't fit & that's it
Mar 5th 2014, 9:12 pm
#39
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Location: Lancashire but hopefully Nova Scotia
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Re: Housing options
Mar 5th 2014, 10:04 pm
#41
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,609
Re: Housing options
I wouldn't say we're exactly 'party people' anymore (although I'll dance off against any young whipper snappers!!). The Bayers Lake Mall seems to be fairly good, but we have a seven year old and the education system needs to be a consideration (got talking to a lady in Dartmouth last year and she said it wasn't as good as other provinces)...guess thats a topic for a different thread though
Mar 5th 2014, 11:36 pm
#42
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Location: St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
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Re: Housing options
NS is a nice relaxed place.. If you live near Halifax it's ok but you would have a serious culture shock if living a long way from Halifax.
We've just moved closer to Halifax and we are already finding it a much better fit.
If you have a decent job in NS then you can have a very decent life but if you're struggling it's not so much fun and you can't eat the scenery...
I would definitely recommend renting to start with...
We've just moved closer to Halifax and we are already finding it a much better fit.
If you have a decent job in NS then you can have a very decent life but if you're struggling it's not so much fun and you can't eat the scenery...
I would definitely recommend renting to start with...
Mar 6th 2014, 12:11 am
#43
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Re: Housing options
Nope. I, and the other families I mentioned, and others who have contributed to this thread, all live(d) in HRM.
Mar 6th 2014, 12:37 am
#45
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Re: Housing options
In many ways we were very happy and settled in our small Nova Scotian town. Unfortunately when the work ended so did our time there as there wasn't another opportunity for OH to apply for...
Hoping we'll find what we're looking for in HRM or it's back to the drawing board and dragging the kids away from their new friends again...