Saint John, NB?
Mar 19th 2013 | 1:03 pm
#16
Seasoned Maritimer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,309
From: Fredericton, New Brunswick CA
Re: Saint John, NB?
We live in Grand Bay-Westfield, which is about 20 mins out of Saint John. My husband was offered a job in Saint John and we came to do a recce trip and fell in love with the area. Saint John is a blue collar city, and has some rough parts, but it has a certain charm and there are some beautiful old buildings and parks. Possibly a better choice job-wise for you in that there may be more job opportunities than Fredericton, which is more white collar.
There are some lovely towns surrounding Saint John and all within commuting distance. We chose our town because it's small (under 5000) people, so semi-rural, and in a fabulous location on the St John River. People are friendly and the sense of community is strong.
We've been here almost 3 years now and don't regret our choice at all. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places on our doorstep, including the Bay of Fundy, the St John River and endless trails and lakes. We love it!
There are some lovely towns surrounding Saint John and all within commuting distance. We chose our town because it's small (under 5000) people, so semi-rural, and in a fabulous location on the St John River. People are friendly and the sense of community is strong.
We've been here almost 3 years now and don't regret our choice at all. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places on our doorstep, including the Bay of Fundy, the St John River and endless trails and lakes. We love it!
Mar 19th 2013 | 8:57 pm
#17
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
Re: Saint John, NB?
We live in Grand Bay-Westfield, which is about 20 mins out of Saint John. My husband was offered a job in Saint John and we came to do a recce trip and fell in love with the area. Saint John is a blue collar city, and has some rough parts, but it has a certain charm and there are some beautiful old buildings and parks. Possibly a better choice job-wise for you in that there may be more job opportunities than Fredericton, which is more white collar.
There are some lovely towns surrounding Saint John and all within commuting distance. We chose our town because it's small (under 5000) people, so semi-rural, and in a fabulous location on the St John River. People are friendly and the sense of community is strong.
We've been here almost 3 years now and don't regret our choice at all. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places on our doorstep, including the Bay of Fundy, the St John River and endless trails and lakes. We love it!
There are some lovely towns surrounding Saint John and all within commuting distance. We chose our town because it's small (under 5000) people, so semi-rural, and in a fabulous location on the St John River. People are friendly and the sense of community is strong.
We've been here almost 3 years now and don't regret our choice at all. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places on our doorstep, including the Bay of Fundy, the St John River and endless trails and lakes. We love it!
Grand Bay-Westfield is one of the areas we have looked at and seems to fit the commute and the semi rural idyl. I think all City's have their issues, I'd never chose to live any where near to Leicester city centre, its a tip and has some seriously scary pockets of crime (and pockets of very hostile areas). But the County itself is pretty affluent and has some fantastic countryside. I'm guessing that the same sort of things apply in Citys in Canada.
Mar 19th 2013 | 10:23 pm
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 170
From: Grand Bay-Westfield, NB
Re: Saint John, NB?
Thank you, this is really positive information Grand Bay-Westfield is one of the areas we have looked at and seems to fit the commute and the semi rural idyl.
I think all City's have their issues, I'd never chose to live any where near to Leicester city centre, its a tip and has some seriously scary pockets of crime (and pockets of very hostile areas). But the County itself is pretty affluent and has some fantastic countryside. I'm guessing that the same sort of things apply in Citys in Canada.
Grand Bay-Westfield is one of the areas we have looked at and seems to fit the commute and the semi rural idyl. I think all City's have their issues, I'd never chose to live any where near to Leicester city centre, its a tip and has some seriously scary pockets of crime (and pockets of very hostile areas). But the County itself is pretty affluent and has some fantastic countryside. I'm guessing that the same sort of things apply in Citys in Canada.
If you need to know any more just ask! Good luck
Mar 21st 2013 | 2:02 am
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 0
Re: Saint John, NB?
Thank you, this is really positive information Grand Bay-Westfield is one of the areas we have looked at and seems to fit the commute and the semi rural idyl.
I think all City's have their issues, I'd never chose to live any where near to Leicester city centre, its a tip and has some seriously scary pockets of crime (and pockets of very hostile areas). But the County itself is pretty affluent and has some fantastic countryside. I'm guessing that the same sort of things apply in Citys in Canada.
Grand Bay-Westfield is one of the areas we have looked at and seems to fit the commute and the semi rural idyl. I think all City's have their issues, I'd never chose to live any where near to Leicester city centre, its a tip and has some seriously scary pockets of crime (and pockets of very hostile areas). But the County itself is pretty affluent and has some fantastic countryside. I'm guessing that the same sort of things apply in Citys in Canada.
The city centre has some nice old buildings are there are pubs and restaurants on the quay side which is really nice in the summer usually live music as well.
Saint John could have a boom as the shipbuilding contracts start and if the pipeline from Alberta gets approved so might not be a bad time to get in down there??
Mar 21st 2013 | 3:10 am
#21
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
Re: Saint John, NB?
Saint John is not that bad as already said its quite industrial and a working Port. I lived in Southampton and it reminds me of there in some ways. SJ is not a dangerous place its just a bit unloved in places. Like the other posts have said look outside of the city core and the areas are beautiful. I have friends that also live in Grand Bay and they love it as well. They are currently looking to move to Quispamsis - nothing wrong with GB they have outgrown their current house and both work over that way.
The city centre has some nice old buildings are there are pubs and restaurants on the quay side which is really nice in the summer usually live music as well.
Saint John could have a boom as the shipbuilding contracts start and if the pipeline from Alberta gets approved so might not be a bad time to get in down there??
The city centre has some nice old buildings are there are pubs and restaurants on the quay side which is really nice in the summer usually live music as well.
Saint John could have a boom as the shipbuilding contracts start and if the pipeline from Alberta gets approved so might not be a bad time to get in down there??
That seems to be the general impression we'd gotten for the City over the last few months so it's nice to hear we're not too far off the mark. It seems to give us the ideal balance of work for the OH and the quieter life 
Mar 22nd 2013 | 7:04 am
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 250
Re: Saint John, NB?
I visited SJ once. Before I went, I mentioned to a friend who grew up there, said the city was rather polluted.
I just had a quick search and got a couple news:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-br...ationroof.html
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living...t-John,-N.B./1
I just had a quick search and got a couple news:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-br...ationroof.html
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living...t-John,-N.B./1
Mar 26th 2013 | 6:49 am
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,001
From: Tillsonburg ON
Re: Saint John, NB?
We have been in the Moncton area of NB for the last six years now.
We came on a reccie and looked at St John, Fredericton and Moncton.
For us the city of St John just didn't appeal, due to the pulp mill smell, general feel of the place. But we did like the semi rural areas.
Fredericton felt too cut off from anything else, although the city was attractive.
We like the Moncton area because of its proximity to other places apart from anything else. Its easy to pop to the airport to pick up family when they come in on Canadian affair flights. Easy to go over the PEI for the day.
The bay of Fundy is right on the door step.
I don't overly like Moncton itself but we live across the river just outside Riverview. We are 15 mins from downtown Moncton but still have a semi rural location with a few acres.
Riverview is a really nice town. Its growing in a nice well thought out way.
Once we get our own Wallmart we will have arrived. The schools here are all very well spoken of.
People often talk of the lack of jobs in NB but we have never had too much of a problem finding work. We have our own contract cleaning business and there seems to be no shortage of businesses requiring their offices and windows cleaned.
We also havn't had the unrealistic price rises in property so the housing market seems steady and affordable.
We came on a reccie and looked at St John, Fredericton and Moncton.
For us the city of St John just didn't appeal, due to the pulp mill smell, general feel of the place. But we did like the semi rural areas.
Fredericton felt too cut off from anything else, although the city was attractive.
We like the Moncton area because of its proximity to other places apart from anything else. Its easy to pop to the airport to pick up family when they come in on Canadian affair flights. Easy to go over the PEI for the day.
The bay of Fundy is right on the door step.
I don't overly like Moncton itself but we live across the river just outside Riverview. We are 15 mins from downtown Moncton but still have a semi rural location with a few acres.
Riverview is a really nice town. Its growing in a nice well thought out way.
Once we get our own Wallmart we will have arrived. The schools here are all very well spoken of.
People often talk of the lack of jobs in NB but we have never had too much of a problem finding work. We have our own contract cleaning business and there seems to be no shortage of businesses requiring their offices and windows cleaned.
We also havn't had the unrealistic price rises in property so the housing market seems steady and affordable.
Mar 26th 2013 | 9:32 pm
#24
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
Re: Saint John, NB?
We have been in the Moncton area of NB for the last six years now.
We came on a reccie and looked at St John, Fredericton and Moncton.
For us the city of St John just didn't appeal, due to the pulp mill smell, general feel of the place. But we did like the semi rural areas.
Fredericton felt too cut off from anything else, although the city was attractive.
We like the Moncton area because of its proximity to other places apart from anything else. Its easy to pop to the airport to pick up family when they come in on Canadian affair flights. Easy to go over the PEI for the day.
The bay of Fundy is right on the door step.
I don't overly like Moncton itself but we live across the river just outside Riverview. We are 15 mins from downtown Moncton but still have a semi rural location with a few acres.
Riverview is a really nice town. Its growing in a nice well thought out way.
Once we get our own Wallmart we will have arrived. The schools here are all very well spoken of.
People often talk of the lack of jobs in NB but we have never had too much of a problem finding work. We have our own contract cleaning business and there seems to be no shortage of businesses requiring their offices and windows cleaned.
We also havn't had the unrealistic price rises in property so the housing market seems steady and affordable.
We came on a reccie and looked at St John, Fredericton and Moncton.
For us the city of St John just didn't appeal, due to the pulp mill smell, general feel of the place. But we did like the semi rural areas.
Fredericton felt too cut off from anything else, although the city was attractive.
We like the Moncton area because of its proximity to other places apart from anything else. Its easy to pop to the airport to pick up family when they come in on Canadian affair flights. Easy to go over the PEI for the day.
The bay of Fundy is right on the door step.
I don't overly like Moncton itself but we live across the river just outside Riverview. We are 15 mins from downtown Moncton but still have a semi rural location with a few acres.
Riverview is a really nice town. Its growing in a nice well thought out way.
Once we get our own Wallmart we will have arrived. The schools here are all very well spoken of.
People often talk of the lack of jobs in NB but we have never had too much of a problem finding work. We have our own contract cleaning business and there seems to be no shortage of businesses requiring their offices and windows cleaned.
We also havn't had the unrealistic price rises in property so the housing market seems steady and affordable.
Certainly the location of Moncton would be ideal - are there many semi rural areas within half an hours commute?
Apr 3rd 2013 | 6:27 am
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 516
Re: Saint John, NB?
Haven't lived in Saint John but have visited quite a few times and found the people to be friendlier than those in Moncton. Most have told me they really like living in the Saint John area and some implied that the pulp mill smell was no longer a problem - not sure how true this is but have never noticed it.
