We are planning our move to Halifax area next spring, and wanted to hear from others that have moved to Nova Scotia from other provinces ( or territories).

Where did you move from?
How do you find NS compared to where you moved from? What are the main differences in day to day living?
Any tips on the actual moving process?
Has it been a good move for you? Any regrets?

Any insights would be appreciated, the good, the bad, the ugly!

why are you moving?

After 5 years in Calgary, we need a change of scenery. We miss being near the sea, and, mainly, we want to buy a property.

Unfortunately, here in Calgary, the house we want and the house we can afford, are two very different things.

Will you need a job? They are harder to come by than in Calgary...

Saying that, the Maritimers are nice people. Property is cheap and there are all the amenities you need in Halifax...

Just make sure you don't swap one frustration for another

I am a carpenter to trade, and run my own business installing Sunrooms, screen rooms, patio covers, pergolas and decks. I plan to continue the business once we move, but I'm aware I may have to find work until we are settled. I have a few plans for the business once we move.

I have tried a few post on here recently asking about the construction trades in NS, one thread did not get a single reply, I got a few replies the second thread, but not from anyone who was actually working in the trades at present!

My research shows that there are quite a few major construction projects in Halifax, that are either at the planning stage, or been approved planning and are scheduled to start, ( or just started) over the next 4-5 years, ( about 12 in total). So the construction industry appears to be healthy in the Halifax area. While I don't plan to return to heavy construction long term, it is a good sign for the economy ( around Halifax anyway)
While the rates for construction are less than AB, I have seen a few jobs advertized that are either on par, or only a couple of dollars less than companies here are offering.

Has anyone done reno projects to their property recently? Was it difficult to find tradesmen to do the work, and was the quality and reliability an issue?

I can't provide you with direct personal knowledge, but I act for a carpenter that was from that neck of the woods and relocated to Calgary. He met a girl here and had a couple of kids. They split and he moved back thinking it would be easy to find work.

It took him from October of 2010 to November of 2012 to find a job that paid a decent salary (he earned $9,000 and $5,000 each year while he was looking). He is now on $100,000 +.

Quite clearly, each person is different but I wouldn't underestimate how different the economy is in various regions of Canada.

I live down in Yarmouth so couldn't comment on construction in Halifax other than to say that when we go up there for visits it looks as though there is a lot going on (then again compared to Yarmouth one small house being built would give the impression a lot is going on!)

Don't forget our levels of income tax and GST/HST are much higher than other provinces too

We have had quite a lot of work done on our house in the Valley. It can be hard to find someone to do it, we tend to use the same guy that was recommended to us a few years back, he is really good & does excellent quality work my only complaint is I find his prices a bit steep but maybe that's the going rate over there. He always seems to have a lot of work on, it's sometimes hard for him to squeeze us in. Don't know if that helps at all.

Thanks for the info.
I am thinking that as most of the NS tradesmen are here in Alberta, that a good tradesman should have no trouble getting work. Even here in Calgary I have friends that have trouble finding someone to do work in their homes. When people move house, they usually require some work to make it to their tastes, or even general maintenance on older properties.

There are a lot of horror stories here of tradesmen getting hired to do a job, starting it,( and usually getting some money off the job) and disappearing for weeks on end.
I recently completed a deck and screen room in 3 days, the next door neighbours almost identical screen room, (no deck) took almost 5 weeks start to finish.

$5000 earnings for 1 year? I don't know anywhere that you can live for that amount in Canada ( or any 1st world country). Does he live in a tent?
Even rent or a mortgage at $100 per week would be $5,200 a year. Not counting food, heat, clothing, basic toiletries etc.

Unless he lived in a homeless shelter, I think you need to check your figures. $5000 for 1 year works out at $96.15 per week. Even unemployment benefit would be more than that.

We had a painter in to paint the outside & finish a bedroom, he wanted half up front ($5000) as a deposit, done about a third of the job & skipped town. My property manager (who recommended the guy in the first place) then asked if I could pay the young guys that had been doing the work for him, because he hadn't paid them for it. Errr no. I felt bad for them but I'd already lost a lot of money I wasn't about to lose more, & it's not my fault their boss was dodgy. There are definitely quite a few shady characters about.

For sure. Everyone I know has a story like that. I only take a deposit for the materials once they have been delivered to the customer, that way, they at least have what they have paid for, and I am not out of pocket for the materials supplied.
Only when the work is complete, do I invoice for the balance of the quote. ( or, on larger jobs, for what work is done to date).
That way, both parties are covered should there be any issues regarding the work or money due.
I find customers are more at ease, and more trusting of me, than someone demanding a large sum of money with nothing to show for it.

A sad state of affairs, but it is the dodgy tradesmen that have given the industry a bad name.

That's the best way to do it. I've definitely learned my lesson, that's why I stick to the people I trust.

Isn't that the point? If there wasn't a lot of work then there'd be no way to make a living wage.

Fortunately for him, his partner earned enough to enable them to live.

I have seen his tax returns and I represent him in an Application for child support.

The point that I was attempting to make was that this was someone that lived and worked there prior to coming to Calgary. He had all the contacts, but was still unable to find work. You asked for examples; I provided one.

I wish you every success.