How does Nova Scotia measure up?
May 6th 2007, 8:31 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 128
How does Nova Scotia measure up?
We are now reaching the end of our two month stay in Nova Scotia and I am writing in response to those that have mailed me requesting an update on our progress. The first thing I need to state is that this is our experience of NS and the interactions we have had with people since we have been here. I believe strongly that you should come and visit. perhaps more than once, and not just during the holiday season to get more of a sense of the place. We cannot claim that we are experts on the area after holidaying here and living here for only two months but we have certainly gained a breadth of knowledge that could not be acquired from a fleeting visit.
Here then is an attempt to present a balanced view of life here. For those not interested in a ‘warts and all’ picture switch off now!!
In typical Brit fashion many of you have asked about the weather and perhaps unluckily for us particularly in light of spring temperatures in the UK, NS this year has had extremes of weather not normally associated with this time of the year. (see previous post on snow and storm surge) Expecting seasons similar to Britain is a little optimistic and comparisons with other parts of Canada not that useful – I know, -10 is positively balmy in other provinces. We arrived mid March with a few sweaters and fleeces and apart from 1 warm day (20c) have worn and washed our limited winter clothes repeatedly. Even if it warms up during the day temps drop rapidly at night and there have not been many days when we have not had the heating on. People who live here tell that spring is typically ‘nasty’ meaning wet and foggy and that the threat of frost occurs until mid May. It is certainly odd to only now start to see the grass greening up (it is brown throughout the winter) and the spring flowers just begin to push up.
So what is there to do during the period from October through to May in NS? The truth is not much certainly outside Halifax, and even there many places stay closed until the arrival of the cruise ships. Some cafes and restaurants are starting to open but many of the provincial parks, museums and other places of interest remain closed until mid May (June in Cape Breton) For those who are used to popping to your local pub for a drink, going for a bar meal or even getting a takeaway, the seven months from fall to summer is quite a long time to be without access to what many of us take for granted in the UK.
Reporting on the general work situation in NS is not something we are really qualified to do as OH works in a fairly narrow specialism but from our own experience and speaking to other Canadians and expats already living here we concur with what another writer on this site has already said: jobs go to Nova Scotians first, Canadians second and immigrants last. For good or ill Nova Scotian qualifications are given priority and that goes for all professions many of which are unionised.
The exception is if you are in a rare position where your specialism is in demand, in which case all the stops will be pulled to get you here, though I have not heard of this happening often. And all this from a province rooted in complacency and seemingly resistant to change that desperately needs immigrants, if for no better reasons than to replace the haemorrhage of young people seeking work with better pay and conditions in other provinces and abroad, and to support an increasingly ageing population.
What have we gained from our trip to Nova Scotia? After nearly two months spent in each others company 24-7 we now know we can get on with each other and enjoy each others company; a prerequisite if we are going to live somewhere that effectively ‘locks down’ for the winter. We still love Nova Scotia but importantly we now have a less romanticised and more realistic view of what it would be like to live here. As cheap housing is a major motivator for most of us wishing to relocate here, we have seen beautiful houses we could purchase leaving us mortgage free. Great if we can find work which would allow us to have a reasonable standard of living (we are realistic enough to know that in NS you are unlikely to get work which pays anywhere close to what you can earn in the UK.) Many things here are equivalent in cost to the UK with less range and choice and some things are just more expensive (no 3 quid bottles of wine here)
We have had an interesting time and we have met some nice people (hello Val). Seen how the other half live in this country, both rich and poor. We have braved: urban roads, crosswalks, country roads with virtually no coating of asphalt, badly lit potholed highways, snow, biting winds that give your face the equivalent of a chemical peel, storms and storm surges, and spent a month dog sitting a (now) 90lb golden retriever with appalling manners. We are getting used to having to repeat ourselves and being asked where we come from. On one occasion we even got a taste of what it must feel like to have a disability or skin of a different colour we were gawped at so openly. And when the wind has dropped and the sun comes out we walk along deserted trails and empty beaches, breathing in pure fresh air and realise how hard it will be for us to leave.
What next? Watch this space……
Here then is an attempt to present a balanced view of life here. For those not interested in a ‘warts and all’ picture switch off now!!
In typical Brit fashion many of you have asked about the weather and perhaps unluckily for us particularly in light of spring temperatures in the UK, NS this year has had extremes of weather not normally associated with this time of the year. (see previous post on snow and storm surge) Expecting seasons similar to Britain is a little optimistic and comparisons with other parts of Canada not that useful – I know, -10 is positively balmy in other provinces. We arrived mid March with a few sweaters and fleeces and apart from 1 warm day (20c) have worn and washed our limited winter clothes repeatedly. Even if it warms up during the day temps drop rapidly at night and there have not been many days when we have not had the heating on. People who live here tell that spring is typically ‘nasty’ meaning wet and foggy and that the threat of frost occurs until mid May. It is certainly odd to only now start to see the grass greening up (it is brown throughout the winter) and the spring flowers just begin to push up.
So what is there to do during the period from October through to May in NS? The truth is not much certainly outside Halifax, and even there many places stay closed until the arrival of the cruise ships. Some cafes and restaurants are starting to open but many of the provincial parks, museums and other places of interest remain closed until mid May (June in Cape Breton) For those who are used to popping to your local pub for a drink, going for a bar meal or even getting a takeaway, the seven months from fall to summer is quite a long time to be without access to what many of us take for granted in the UK.
Reporting on the general work situation in NS is not something we are really qualified to do as OH works in a fairly narrow specialism but from our own experience and speaking to other Canadians and expats already living here we concur with what another writer on this site has already said: jobs go to Nova Scotians first, Canadians second and immigrants last. For good or ill Nova Scotian qualifications are given priority and that goes for all professions many of which are unionised.
The exception is if you are in a rare position where your specialism is in demand, in which case all the stops will be pulled to get you here, though I have not heard of this happening often. And all this from a province rooted in complacency and seemingly resistant to change that desperately needs immigrants, if for no better reasons than to replace the haemorrhage of young people seeking work with better pay and conditions in other provinces and abroad, and to support an increasingly ageing population.
What have we gained from our trip to Nova Scotia? After nearly two months spent in each others company 24-7 we now know we can get on with each other and enjoy each others company; a prerequisite if we are going to live somewhere that effectively ‘locks down’ for the winter. We still love Nova Scotia but importantly we now have a less romanticised and more realistic view of what it would be like to live here. As cheap housing is a major motivator for most of us wishing to relocate here, we have seen beautiful houses we could purchase leaving us mortgage free. Great if we can find work which would allow us to have a reasonable standard of living (we are realistic enough to know that in NS you are unlikely to get work which pays anywhere close to what you can earn in the UK.) Many things here are equivalent in cost to the UK with less range and choice and some things are just more expensive (no 3 quid bottles of wine here)
We have had an interesting time and we have met some nice people (hello Val). Seen how the other half live in this country, both rich and poor. We have braved: urban roads, crosswalks, country roads with virtually no coating of asphalt, badly lit potholed highways, snow, biting winds that give your face the equivalent of a chemical peel, storms and storm surges, and spent a month dog sitting a (now) 90lb golden retriever with appalling manners. We are getting used to having to repeat ourselves and being asked where we come from. On one occasion we even got a taste of what it must feel like to have a disability or skin of a different colour we were gawped at so openly. And when the wind has dropped and the sun comes out we walk along deserted trails and empty beaches, breathing in pure fresh air and realise how hard it will be for us to leave.
What next? Watch this space……
May 6th 2007, 8:46 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Out of the Dog house and living the good life
Posts: 7,536
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
We are now reaching the end of our two month stay in Nova Scotia and I am writing in response to those that have mailed me requesting an update on our progress. The first thing I need to state is that this is our experience of NS and the interactions we have had with people since we have been here. I believe strongly that you should come and visit. perhaps more than once, and not just during the holiday season to get more of a sense of the place. We cannot claim that we are experts on the area after holidaying here and living here for only two months but we have certainly gained a breadth of knowledge that could not be acquired from a fleeting visit.
Here then is an attempt to present a balanced view of life here. For those not interested in a ‘warts and all’ picture switch off now!!
In typical Brit fashion many of you have asked about the weather and perhaps unluckily for us particularly in light of spring temperatures in the UK, NS this year has had extremes of weather not normally associated with this time of the year. (see previous post on snow and storm surge) Expecting seasons similar to Britain is a little optimistic and comparisons with other parts of Canada not that useful – I know, -10 is positively balmy in other provinces. We arrived mid March with a few sweaters and fleeces and apart from 1 warm day (20c) have worn and washed our limited winter clothes repeatedly. Even if it warms up during the day temps drop rapidly at night and there have not been many days when we have not had the heating on. People who live here tell that spring is typically ‘nasty’ meaning wet and foggy and that the threat of frost occurs until mid May. It is certainly odd to only now start to see the grass greening up (it is brown throughout the winter) and the spring flowers just begin to push up.
So what is there to do during the period from October through to May in NS? The truth is not much certainly outside Halifax, and even there many places stay closed until the arrival of the cruise ships. Some cafes and restaurants are starting to open but many of the provincial parks, museums and other places of interest remain closed until mid May (June in Cape Breton) For those who are used to popping to your local pub for a drink, going for a bar meal or even getting a takeaway, the seven months from fall to summer is quite a long time to be without access to what many of us take for granted in the UK.
Reporting on the general work situation in NS is not something we are really qualified to do as OH works in a fairly narrow specialism but from our own experience and speaking to other Canadians and expats already living here we concur with what another writer on this site has already said: jobs go to Nova Scotians first, Canadians second and immigrants last. For good or ill Nova Scotian qualifications are given priority and that goes for all professions many of which are unionised.
The exception is if you are in a rare position where your specialism is in demand, in which case all the stops will be pulled to get you here, though I have not heard of this happening often. And all this from a province rooted in complacency and seemingly resistant to change that desperately needs immigrants, if for no better reasons than to replace the haemorrhage of young people seeking work with better pay and conditions in other provinces and abroad, and to support an increasingly ageing population.
What have we gained from our trip to Nova Scotia? After nearly two months spent in each others company 24-7 we now know we can get on with each other and enjoy each others company; a prerequisite if we are going to live somewhere that effectively ‘locks down’ for the winter. We still love Nova Scotia but importantly we now have a less romanticised and more realistic view of what it would be like to live here. As cheap housing is a major motivator for most of us wishing to relocate here, we have seen beautiful houses we could purchase leaving us mortgage free. Great if we can find work which would allow us to have a reasonable standard of living (we are realistic enough to know that in NS you are unlikely to get work which pays anywhere close to what you can earn in the UK.) Many things here are equivalent in cost to the UK with less range and choice and some things are just more expensive (no 3 quid bottles of wine here)
We have had an interesting time and we have met some nice people (hello Val). Seen how the other half live in this country, both rich and poor. We have braved: urban roads, crosswalks, country roads with virtually no coating of asphalt, badly lit potholed highways, snow, biting winds that give your face the equivalent of a chemical peel, storms and storm surges, and spent a month dog sitting a (now) 90lb golden retriever with appalling manners. We are getting used to having to repeat ourselves and being asked where we come from. On one occasion we even got a taste of what it must feel like to have a disability or skin of a different colour we were gawped at so openly. And when the wind has dropped and the sun comes out we walk along deserted trails and empty beaches, breathing in pure fresh air and realise how hard it will be for us to leave.
What next? Watch this space……
Here then is an attempt to present a balanced view of life here. For those not interested in a ‘warts and all’ picture switch off now!!
In typical Brit fashion many of you have asked about the weather and perhaps unluckily for us particularly in light of spring temperatures in the UK, NS this year has had extremes of weather not normally associated with this time of the year. (see previous post on snow and storm surge) Expecting seasons similar to Britain is a little optimistic and comparisons with other parts of Canada not that useful – I know, -10 is positively balmy in other provinces. We arrived mid March with a few sweaters and fleeces and apart from 1 warm day (20c) have worn and washed our limited winter clothes repeatedly. Even if it warms up during the day temps drop rapidly at night and there have not been many days when we have not had the heating on. People who live here tell that spring is typically ‘nasty’ meaning wet and foggy and that the threat of frost occurs until mid May. It is certainly odd to only now start to see the grass greening up (it is brown throughout the winter) and the spring flowers just begin to push up.
So what is there to do during the period from October through to May in NS? The truth is not much certainly outside Halifax, and even there many places stay closed until the arrival of the cruise ships. Some cafes and restaurants are starting to open but many of the provincial parks, museums and other places of interest remain closed until mid May (June in Cape Breton) For those who are used to popping to your local pub for a drink, going for a bar meal or even getting a takeaway, the seven months from fall to summer is quite a long time to be without access to what many of us take for granted in the UK.
Reporting on the general work situation in NS is not something we are really qualified to do as OH works in a fairly narrow specialism but from our own experience and speaking to other Canadians and expats already living here we concur with what another writer on this site has already said: jobs go to Nova Scotians first, Canadians second and immigrants last. For good or ill Nova Scotian qualifications are given priority and that goes for all professions many of which are unionised.
The exception is if you are in a rare position where your specialism is in demand, in which case all the stops will be pulled to get you here, though I have not heard of this happening often. And all this from a province rooted in complacency and seemingly resistant to change that desperately needs immigrants, if for no better reasons than to replace the haemorrhage of young people seeking work with better pay and conditions in other provinces and abroad, and to support an increasingly ageing population.
What have we gained from our trip to Nova Scotia? After nearly two months spent in each others company 24-7 we now know we can get on with each other and enjoy each others company; a prerequisite if we are going to live somewhere that effectively ‘locks down’ for the winter. We still love Nova Scotia but importantly we now have a less romanticised and more realistic view of what it would be like to live here. As cheap housing is a major motivator for most of us wishing to relocate here, we have seen beautiful houses we could purchase leaving us mortgage free. Great if we can find work which would allow us to have a reasonable standard of living (we are realistic enough to know that in NS you are unlikely to get work which pays anywhere close to what you can earn in the UK.) Many things here are equivalent in cost to the UK with less range and choice and some things are just more expensive (no 3 quid bottles of wine here)
We have had an interesting time and we have met some nice people (hello Val). Seen how the other half live in this country, both rich and poor. We have braved: urban roads, crosswalks, country roads with virtually no coating of asphalt, badly lit potholed highways, snow, biting winds that give your face the equivalent of a chemical peel, storms and storm surges, and spent a month dog sitting a (now) 90lb golden retriever with appalling manners. We are getting used to having to repeat ourselves and being asked where we come from. On one occasion we even got a taste of what it must feel like to have a disability or skin of a different colour we were gawped at so openly. And when the wind has dropped and the sun comes out we walk along deserted trails and empty beaches, breathing in pure fresh air and realise how hard it will be for us to leave.
What next? Watch this space……
How did you find the cost of living ie your weekly shopping for food as compared with the UK?
Along with other costs fuel, power etc?
May 6th 2007, 9:30 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Bridgewater, NS
Posts: 76
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
We are now reaching the end of our two month stay in Nova Scotia and I am writing in response to those that have mailed me requesting an update on our progress. The first thing I need to state is that this is our experience of NS and the interactions we have had with people since we have been here. I believe strongly that you should come and visit. perhaps more than once, and not just during the holiday season to get more of a sense of the place. We cannot claim that we are experts on the area after holidaying here and living here for only two months but we have certainly gained a breadth of knowledge that could not be acquired from a fleeting visit.
Here then is an attempt to present a balanced view of life here. For those not interested in a ‘warts and all’ picture switch off now!!
In typical Brit fashion many of you have asked about the weather and perhaps unluckily for us particularly in light of spring temperatures in the UK, NS this year has had extremes of weather not normally associated with this time of the year. (see previous post on snow and storm surge) Expecting seasons similar to Britain is a little optimistic and comparisons with other parts of Canada not that useful – I know, -10 is positively balmy in other provinces. We arrived mid March with a few sweaters and fleeces and apart from 1 warm day (20c) have worn and washed our limited winter clothes repeatedly. Even if it warms up during the day temps drop rapidly at night and there have not been many days when we have not had the heating on. People who live here tell that spring is typically ‘nasty’ meaning wet and foggy and that the threat of frost occurs until mid May. It is certainly odd to only now start to see the grass greening up (it is brown throughout the winter) and the spring flowers just begin to push up.
So what is there to do during the period from October through to May in NS? The truth is not much certainly outside Halifax, and even there many places stay closed until the arrival of the cruise ships. Some cafes and restaurants are starting to open but many of the provincial parks, museums and other places of interest remain closed until mid May (June in Cape Breton) For those who are used to popping to your local pub for a drink, going for a bar meal or even getting a takeaway, the seven months from fall to summer is quite a long time to be without access to what many of us take for granted in the UK.
Reporting on the general work situation in NS is not something we are really qualified to do as OH works in a fairly narrow specialism but from our own experience and speaking to other Canadians and expats already living here we concur with what another writer on this site has already said: jobs go to Nova Scotians first, Canadians second and immigrants last. For good or ill Nova Scotian qualifications are given priority and that goes for all professions many of which are unionised.
The exception is if you are in a rare position where your specialism is in demand, in which case all the stops will be pulled to get you here, though I have not heard of this happening often. And all this from a province rooted in complacency and seemingly resistant to change that desperately needs immigrants, if for no better reasons than to replace the haemorrhage of young people seeking work with better pay and conditions in other provinces and abroad, and to support an increasingly ageing population.
What have we gained from our trip to Nova Scotia? After nearly two months spent in each others company 24-7 we now know we can get on with each other and enjoy each others company; a prerequisite if we are going to live somewhere that effectively ‘locks down’ for the winter. We still love Nova Scotia but importantly we now have a less romanticised and more realistic view of what it would be like to live here. As cheap housing is a major motivator for most of us wishing to relocate here, we have seen beautiful houses we could purchase leaving us mortgage free. Great if we can find work which would allow us to have a reasonable standard of living (we are realistic enough to know that in NS you are unlikely to get work which pays anywhere close to what you can earn in the UK.) Many things here are equivalent in cost to the UK with less range and choice and some things are just more expensive (no 3 quid bottles of wine here)
We have had an interesting time and we have met some nice people (hello Val). Seen how the other half live in this country, both rich and poor. We have braved: urban roads, crosswalks, country roads with virtually no coating of asphalt, badly lit potholed highways, snow, biting winds that give your face the equivalent of a chemical peel, storms and storm surges, and spent a month dog sitting a (now) 90lb golden retriever with appalling manners. We are getting used to having to repeat ourselves and being asked where we come from. On one occasion we even got a taste of what it must feel like to have a disability or skin of a different colour we were gawped at so openly. And when the wind has dropped and the sun comes out we walk along deserted trails and empty beaches, breathing in pure fresh air and realise how hard it will be for us to leave.
What next? Watch this space……
Here then is an attempt to present a balanced view of life here. For those not interested in a ‘warts and all’ picture switch off now!!
In typical Brit fashion many of you have asked about the weather and perhaps unluckily for us particularly in light of spring temperatures in the UK, NS this year has had extremes of weather not normally associated with this time of the year. (see previous post on snow and storm surge) Expecting seasons similar to Britain is a little optimistic and comparisons with other parts of Canada not that useful – I know, -10 is positively balmy in other provinces. We arrived mid March with a few sweaters and fleeces and apart from 1 warm day (20c) have worn and washed our limited winter clothes repeatedly. Even if it warms up during the day temps drop rapidly at night and there have not been many days when we have not had the heating on. People who live here tell that spring is typically ‘nasty’ meaning wet and foggy and that the threat of frost occurs until mid May. It is certainly odd to only now start to see the grass greening up (it is brown throughout the winter) and the spring flowers just begin to push up.
So what is there to do during the period from October through to May in NS? The truth is not much certainly outside Halifax, and even there many places stay closed until the arrival of the cruise ships. Some cafes and restaurants are starting to open but many of the provincial parks, museums and other places of interest remain closed until mid May (June in Cape Breton) For those who are used to popping to your local pub for a drink, going for a bar meal or even getting a takeaway, the seven months from fall to summer is quite a long time to be without access to what many of us take for granted in the UK.
Reporting on the general work situation in NS is not something we are really qualified to do as OH works in a fairly narrow specialism but from our own experience and speaking to other Canadians and expats already living here we concur with what another writer on this site has already said: jobs go to Nova Scotians first, Canadians second and immigrants last. For good or ill Nova Scotian qualifications are given priority and that goes for all professions many of which are unionised.
The exception is if you are in a rare position where your specialism is in demand, in which case all the stops will be pulled to get you here, though I have not heard of this happening often. And all this from a province rooted in complacency and seemingly resistant to change that desperately needs immigrants, if for no better reasons than to replace the haemorrhage of young people seeking work with better pay and conditions in other provinces and abroad, and to support an increasingly ageing population.
What have we gained from our trip to Nova Scotia? After nearly two months spent in each others company 24-7 we now know we can get on with each other and enjoy each others company; a prerequisite if we are going to live somewhere that effectively ‘locks down’ for the winter. We still love Nova Scotia but importantly we now have a less romanticised and more realistic view of what it would be like to live here. As cheap housing is a major motivator for most of us wishing to relocate here, we have seen beautiful houses we could purchase leaving us mortgage free. Great if we can find work which would allow us to have a reasonable standard of living (we are realistic enough to know that in NS you are unlikely to get work which pays anywhere close to what you can earn in the UK.) Many things here are equivalent in cost to the UK with less range and choice and some things are just more expensive (no 3 quid bottles of wine here)
We have had an interesting time and we have met some nice people (hello Val). Seen how the other half live in this country, both rich and poor. We have braved: urban roads, crosswalks, country roads with virtually no coating of asphalt, badly lit potholed highways, snow, biting winds that give your face the equivalent of a chemical peel, storms and storm surges, and spent a month dog sitting a (now) 90lb golden retriever with appalling manners. We are getting used to having to repeat ourselves and being asked where we come from. On one occasion we even got a taste of what it must feel like to have a disability or skin of a different colour we were gawped at so openly. And when the wind has dropped and the sun comes out we walk along deserted trails and empty beaches, breathing in pure fresh air and realise how hard it will be for us to leave.
What next? Watch this space……
Where abouts did you stay, Maybe a tourist area? We have been over a couple of times in October and can see that some places are shut down for winter (they do in the UK as well) But to state that everywhere shuts down I think is a bit of an over statement as what do the Nova Scotians do for a drink/takeaway etc in winter?
Also I think that it is good that they employ Nova Scotian's first after all we are immigrants coming to their country.
I think it depends on your job whether you get paid less in NS than in the UK, and even if you do with house and car prices being lower than the UK your payments will be a lot lower anyway (they are normally your biggest payments per month).
May 6th 2007, 9:48 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 128
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
May 6th 2007, 9:58 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Out of the Dog house and living the good life
Posts: 7,536
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
My OH is vegetarian so I tend to not to cook meat so can't really comment on a normal family food bill. Some fresh veggies are more expensive and some cheaper depending on where they have come from. Gas is cheaper (there is an online comparison for prices for NS ) but car hire was relatively expensive particularly as we are here out of season. Our heating costs are included in our rental but they can be expensive if you have an older, less well insulated property. It may be worth doing a search on previous posts to get more definitive answers. Sorry can't be of much help
Do you think you will move to NS now?
May 6th 2007, 10:13 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 128
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Back to Britland on the 15th and then a reappraisal based on our experiences of living here. We are both cautious by nature (not always a good thing) and need to weigh up all the pros and cons before we make what would be a life changing move.
May 6th 2007, 10:54 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 128
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Reply to Lawson44 questions
Where abouts did you stay, Maybe a tourist area?
We are staying in Hubbards about 40 mins drive from Halifax
We have been over a couple of times in October and can see that some places are shut down for winter (they do in the UK as well) But to state that everywhere shuts down I think is a bit of an over statement as what do the Nova Scotians do for a drink/takeaway etc in winter?
The season finishes here by the end of October once the fall is over. We have also been over here at that time. i don't believe I said everywhere shuts down just that not much is open outside of Halifax. we have travelled all over NS since coming here in March and have been surprised at how many places are closed. As I stated, many parks, trails, places of historic interest remain closed until mid May.There are bars, some takeways, restaurants open in Halifax and in some of the larger towns but outside of that not much open.
Also I think that it is good that they employ Nova Scotian's first after all we are immigrants coming to their country.
Yes-but this is not helping the employment situation when there is a shortage of educated skilled workers
.
I think it depends on your job whether you get paid less in NS than in the UK,
I think that's stating the obvious
and even if you do with house and car prices being lower than the UK your payments will be a lot lower anyway (they are normally your biggest payments per month).
True but you still have to run and maintain a house, pay taxes on it (high in HRM) heat it,(can be expensive) and pay for other utilities, factor in wear and tear on a car, pay to insure it, buy groceries etc
I stated at the start of my post that this was our experience - perhaps yours was or would be very different. We are having a taste of the life here and are speaking to Nova Scotians and expats to get their slant on things. I have posted before and people were interested and requested an update. As we said we do not claim to be experts.
Where abouts did you stay, Maybe a tourist area?
We are staying in Hubbards about 40 mins drive from Halifax
We have been over a couple of times in October and can see that some places are shut down for winter (they do in the UK as well) But to state that everywhere shuts down I think is a bit of an over statement as what do the Nova Scotians do for a drink/takeaway etc in winter?
The season finishes here by the end of October once the fall is over. We have also been over here at that time. i don't believe I said everywhere shuts down just that not much is open outside of Halifax. we have travelled all over NS since coming here in March and have been surprised at how many places are closed. As I stated, many parks, trails, places of historic interest remain closed until mid May.There are bars, some takeways, restaurants open in Halifax and in some of the larger towns but outside of that not much open.
Also I think that it is good that they employ Nova Scotian's first after all we are immigrants coming to their country.
Yes-but this is not helping the employment situation when there is a shortage of educated skilled workers
.
I think it depends on your job whether you get paid less in NS than in the UK,
I think that's stating the obvious
and even if you do with house and car prices being lower than the UK your payments will be a lot lower anyway (they are normally your biggest payments per month).
True but you still have to run and maintain a house, pay taxes on it (high in HRM) heat it,(can be expensive) and pay for other utilities, factor in wear and tear on a car, pay to insure it, buy groceries etc
I stated at the start of my post that this was our experience - perhaps yours was or would be very different. We are having a taste of the life here and are speaking to Nova Scotians and expats to get their slant on things. I have posted before and people were interested and requested an update. As we said we do not claim to be experts.
Last edited by moonraker; May 6th 2007 at 10:57 pm.
May 6th 2007, 11:28 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 152
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Reply to Lawson44 questions
Where abouts did you stay, Maybe a tourist area?
We are staying in Hubbards about 40 mins drive from Halifax
We have been over a couple of times in October and can see that some places are shut down for winter (they do in the UK as well) But to state that everywhere shuts down I think is a bit of an over statement as what do the Nova Scotians do for a drink/takeaway etc in winter?
The season finishes here by the end of October once the fall is over. We have also been over here at that time. i don't believe I said everywhere shuts down just that not much is open outside of Halifax. we have travelled all over NS since coming here in March and have been surprised at how many places are closed. As I stated, many parks, trails, places of historic interest remain closed until mid May.There are bars, some takeways, restaurants open in Halifax and in some of the larger towns but outside of that not much open.
Also I think that it is good that they employ Nova Scotian's first after all we are immigrants coming to their country.
Yes-but this is not helping the employment situation when there is a shortage of educated skilled workers
.
I think it depends on your job whether you get paid less in NS than in the UK,
I think that's stating the obvious
and even if you do with house and car prices being lower than the UK your payments will be a lot lower anyway (they are normally your biggest payments per month).
True but you still have to run and maintain a house, pay taxes on it (high in HRM) heat it,(can be expensive) and pay for other utilities, factor in wear and tear on a car, pay to insure it, buy groceries etc
I stated at the start of my post that this was our experience - perhaps yours was or would be very different. We are having a taste of the life here and are speaking to Nova Scotians and expats to get their slant on things. I have posted before and people were interested and requested an update. As we said we do not claim to be experts.
Where abouts did you stay, Maybe a tourist area?
We are staying in Hubbards about 40 mins drive from Halifax
We have been over a couple of times in October and can see that some places are shut down for winter (they do in the UK as well) But to state that everywhere shuts down I think is a bit of an over statement as what do the Nova Scotians do for a drink/takeaway etc in winter?
The season finishes here by the end of October once the fall is over. We have also been over here at that time. i don't believe I said everywhere shuts down just that not much is open outside of Halifax. we have travelled all over NS since coming here in March and have been surprised at how many places are closed. As I stated, many parks, trails, places of historic interest remain closed until mid May.There are bars, some takeways, restaurants open in Halifax and in some of the larger towns but outside of that not much open.
Also I think that it is good that they employ Nova Scotian's first after all we are immigrants coming to their country.
Yes-but this is not helping the employment situation when there is a shortage of educated skilled workers
.
I think it depends on your job whether you get paid less in NS than in the UK,
I think that's stating the obvious
and even if you do with house and car prices being lower than the UK your payments will be a lot lower anyway (they are normally your biggest payments per month).
True but you still have to run and maintain a house, pay taxes on it (high in HRM) heat it,(can be expensive) and pay for other utilities, factor in wear and tear on a car, pay to insure it, buy groceries etc
I stated at the start of my post that this was our experience - perhaps yours was or would be very different. We are having a taste of the life here and are speaking to Nova Scotians and expats to get their slant on things. I have posted before and people were interested and requested an update. As we said we do not claim to be experts.
Really enjoyed reading your experience of Nova Scotia. We are hoping to have our PR within the next 6 months and have considered Nova Scotia as a possible area to settle. We have also considered other areas including Calgary, Vancouver and Kelowna.
Having read your update I feel that perhaps NS is possibly not right for us. You provide a balanced view based on your personal experience. Glossy pictures on a website are wonderful but the practicalities of living there are far different. You have provided realism - what immigrants need when making probably the biggest move of their lives.
We want country living and open space, but prefer to settle in an area that offers all of this plus better weather than the usually dreary Britain.
Good luck for the future wherever you decide to settle.
Please continue to provide updates so that others like us can benefit from your insight.
Enjoy the remainder of your time in Canada you'll soon be back there for good.
Take care
Karen1
May 7th 2007, 12:16 am
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 128
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Hi Moonraker
Really enjoyed reading your experience of Nova Scotia. We are hoping to have our PR within the next 6 months and have considered Nova Scotia as a possible area to settle. We have also considered other areas including Calgary, Vancouver and Kelowna.
Having read your update I feel that perhaps NS is possibly not right for us. You provide a balanced view based on your personal experience. Glossy pictures on a website are wonderful but the practicalities of living there are far different. You have provided realism - what immigrants need when making probably the biggest move of their lives.
We want country living and open space, but prefer to settle in an area that offers all of this plus better weather than the usually dreary Britain.
Good luck for the future wherever you decide to settle.
Please continue to provide updates so that others like us can benefit from your insight.
Enjoy the remainder of your time in Canada you'll soon be back there for good.
Take care
Karen1
Really enjoyed reading your experience of Nova Scotia. We are hoping to have our PR within the next 6 months and have considered Nova Scotia as a possible area to settle. We have also considered other areas including Calgary, Vancouver and Kelowna.
Having read your update I feel that perhaps NS is possibly not right for us. You provide a balanced view based on your personal experience. Glossy pictures on a website are wonderful but the practicalities of living there are far different. You have provided realism - what immigrants need when making probably the biggest move of their lives.
We want country living and open space, but prefer to settle in an area that offers all of this plus better weather than the usually dreary Britain.
Good luck for the future wherever you decide to settle.
Please continue to provide updates so that others like us can benefit from your insight.
Enjoy the remainder of your time in Canada you'll soon be back there for good.
Take care
Karen1
Hi Karen1
Many thanks for your feedback. It would never be our intention to put people off coming to NS - just to attempt to provide a realistic viewpoint. Nova Scotia is beautiful and has many of the elements you require but if weather is an issue for you then Vancouver is probably a better bet.
Our very best wishes to you on wherever you decide to settle. Keep us posted
May 7th 2007, 1:03 am
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Bedford
Posts: 69
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
As always, a good level headed posting. Not many people can state the facts so clearly, warts and all.
Enjoy the rest of your stay here and have a good trip back to UK. Hopefully see you back in NS again soon
Enjoy the rest of your stay here and have a good trip back to UK. Hopefully see you back in NS again soon
May 7th 2007, 1:44 am
#11
sticky beaking
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Sherwood Park,Alberta
Posts: 1,156
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Hi Karen1
Many thanks for your feedback. It would never be our intention to put people off coming to NS - just to attempt to provide a realistic viewpoint. Nova Scotia is beautiful and has many of the elements you require but if weather is an issue for you then Vancouver is probably a better bet.
Our very best wishes to you on wherever you decide to settle. Keep us posted
Many thanks for your feedback. It would never be our intention to put people off coming to NS - just to attempt to provide a realistic viewpoint. Nova Scotia is beautiful and has many of the elements you require but if weather is an issue for you then Vancouver is probably a better bet.
Our very best wishes to you on wherever you decide to settle. Keep us posted
We are considering NS at the mo..(not for the weather) but looking for a more scenic, countryfied feel to the landscape. How did you find the whole area around Halifax? Is it rolling fields and pretty lakes everywhere as told by the glossy tourist mags ?
Here in AB, rather than everyone closing the door to winter, people are still active in winter activities. Does this not seem to happen in NS ?
Here you will see people iceskating outdoors, X-country skiing, packing out the indoor leaisure facilities. Granted, you don't see folks out walking much when its minus 20, but people do keep themselves busy.
May 7th 2007, 2:07 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Normandy, France and occassionally Nova Scotia!
Posts: 3,373
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Vancouver has sunny summers, but it can rain for weeks at a time in the winter months. Yes ,its got milder temps than other parts of Canda in the winter, but if rain gets you down, then I would think carefully about Vancouver .
We are considering NS at the mo..(not for the weather) but looking for a more scenic, countryfied feel to the landscape. How did you find the whole area around Halifax? Is it rolling fields and pretty lakes everywhere as told by the glossy tourist mags ?
Here in AB, rather than everyone closing the door to winter, people are still active in winter activities. Does this not seem to happen in NS ?
Here you will see people iceskating outdoors, X-country skiing, packing out the indoor leaisure facilities. Granted, you don't see folks out walking much when its minus 20, but people do keep themselves busy.
We are considering NS at the mo..(not for the weather) but looking for a more scenic, countryfied feel to the landscape. How did you find the whole area around Halifax? Is it rolling fields and pretty lakes everywhere as told by the glossy tourist mags ?
Here in AB, rather than everyone closing the door to winter, people are still active in winter activities. Does this not seem to happen in NS ?
Here you will see people iceskating outdoors, X-country skiing, packing out the indoor leaisure facilities. Granted, you don't see folks out walking much when its minus 20, but people do keep themselves busy.
Don't forget, the Maritimes don't get that much snow, in fact we had more at Easter this year than we did during winter. You don't have the slopes to go skiing, although there are a few places a couple of hours drive from Halifax. Dartmouth and Sackville have sports centres but the courses get full pretty quickly. I think what Moonraker is pointing out is that the area does become a bit like a ghost town in winter, many facilities closing down until May or June. One problem families with young children have when they move here is that there is not much for them to do. I think places like Moncton have more to offer if you have children.
As for the rolling fields and lakes, yes we do have them, but most of the scenery around Halifax is miles and miles of pine trees. The lakes don't always freeze either so skating is not something you can rely on in winter. We bought our son skates the first Christmas we were here and he had to wait until the end of February for our local lake to freeze, and then was only able to skate on it for a week or so. Also, a lot of lakes and ocean frontage are deeded access, so you are limited in where you can go. We only had 1 snow day this year, with so little snow on the ground we had weeks and weeks of nothing but dead, brown grass to stare at. Thankfully it is now starting to warm up and the spring bulbs are just about to flower, the cruise ships will be back and things will start to liven up a bit more.
May 7th 2007, 1:33 pm
#13
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: south east Cornwall
Posts: 7
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
I haven't been to NS but hope to get there for a couple of weeks later this year. I was in Vancouver last week and it rained rained rained. I live in Cornwall - I'm used to rain but it doesn't mean I like it. It's not so much the rain but the colour of the sky. Hence the interest in NS. I think I'd prefer cold and bright although I've never experienced -10, it sounds painful.
Moonraker, thanks for report, interesting reading.
Moonraker, thanks for report, interesting reading.
Last edited by cornish pasty; May 7th 2007 at 1:35 pm. Reason: removed the quote
May 7th 2007, 1:55 pm
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 344
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Having lived in three different places in Canada and having children that did not go to university in Nova Scotia either, we have a lot of experience of all parts of Canada in all seasons. Nova Scotia is no worse climate wise than anywhere else other than certain parts of British Columbia and that also can be problematic with the copious amount of rain.
Spring in Nova Scotia is later than elsewhere in Canada but the fall is later than elsewhere too. The winter arrives in September/October in many places in Canada for example one can't walk around Montreal at Thanksgiving without winter jackets. Even in September in Alberta, children may have to wear their winter snowsuits. Here the summer flowers are still blooming.
This was the worst March and April I have experienced in 20 years here; reminded me of being in Alberta/ Quebec/Ontario. But my snowdrops and crocuses were still out in late March. And even Vancouver had record breaking storms back in November and December which had a huge impact on their drinking water.
And the rest of Canada is exactly the same after the winters- the grass is browned with the cold weather. Oops it is also browned in Alberta in the summer. Only about 4/6 weeks of green grass there unless you are not an environmental concerned person and water the grass 2 or 3 times a week.
Hubbards is a place where people have properties but use them as summer residences- same as East Chester and Chester. Many of the residents leave the area after Thanksgiving and return permanently to their homes elsewhere for the winter- Halifax to the US. I would not recommend living there either if work was in Halifax.
Climate is different everywhere in Canada but unless you have experienced other area too please don't think that miserable winters are unique to Nova Scotia. It can be problematic for some, especially as we get older, everywhere.
Spring in Nova Scotia is later than elsewhere in Canada but the fall is later than elsewhere too. The winter arrives in September/October in many places in Canada for example one can't walk around Montreal at Thanksgiving without winter jackets. Even in September in Alberta, children may have to wear their winter snowsuits. Here the summer flowers are still blooming.
This was the worst March and April I have experienced in 20 years here; reminded me of being in Alberta/ Quebec/Ontario. But my snowdrops and crocuses were still out in late March. And even Vancouver had record breaking storms back in November and December which had a huge impact on their drinking water.
And the rest of Canada is exactly the same after the winters- the grass is browned with the cold weather. Oops it is also browned in Alberta in the summer. Only about 4/6 weeks of green grass there unless you are not an environmental concerned person and water the grass 2 or 3 times a week.
Hubbards is a place where people have properties but use them as summer residences- same as East Chester and Chester. Many of the residents leave the area after Thanksgiving and return permanently to their homes elsewhere for the winter- Halifax to the US. I would not recommend living there either if work was in Halifax.
Climate is different everywhere in Canada but unless you have experienced other area too please don't think that miserable winters are unique to Nova Scotia. It can be problematic for some, especially as we get older, everywhere.
May 7th 2007, 2:25 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 128
Re: How does Nova Scotia measure up?
Hubbards is a place where people have properties but use them as summer residences- same as East Chester and Chester. Many of the residents leave the area after Thanksgiving and return permanently to their homes elsewhere for the winter- Halifax to the US. I would not recommend living there either if work was in Halifax.
Climate is different everywhere in Canada but unless you have experienced other area too please don't think that miserable winters are unique to Nova Scotia. It can be problematic for some, especially as we get older, everywhere.
Climate is different everywhere in Canada but unless you have experienced other area too please don't think that miserable winters are unique to Nova Scotia. It can be problematic for some, especially as we get older, everywhere.
We are in Mill Cove just a few miles down the road from Hubbards to be specific. There are some boarded up holiday properties but it is a working, fishing community and we are surrounded by people trying to make a living out of the ocean, so not easy times for them. Personally, I would not live in or around Halifax, but would want to be a reasonable distance from the city and the airport.
As you say, weather this year in NS has been exceptional, though it looks like our last week here is set to have some warm, sunny weather