Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Hello All

We are at the stage now where we have researched and researched NS and now feel that we must visit to make sure it's right for us. The impression we have of NS is that it is fairly rural but a few comments on recent posts have been making me a bit nervous. :unsure:

The impression that I have been given from a few posts is that there is nothing to do in NS!! I can't believe it given the research I have done. We have kids aged 16 and 12 and we are looking to move to give them a better quality of life. Given that there is 'nothing to do' I am scared that they are going to hate me for taking them there. Please, if you live in NS can you give me any other views on this, especially if you have kids. I am sure I will see for myself when we visit but any other viewpoints would be great.

Rubie x

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Hi Rubie,

We don't live there yet, but from having seen NS I did not come away concerned whether there was enough for the kids to do there.

It is rural in comparison to a lot of Canada and offers a very different lifestyle and way of life to a lot of area's of the UK, but this is what we loved.

Having said the above, as far as things for the kids it does have all amenities you could need.

Hopefully some locals will come along to give some more info, hope you have a great trip over:thumbup:

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Hi Rubie
where about in NS are you looking at moving to? This will make a difference. Are you looking at HRM (Halifax, Bedford, Dartmouth areas) or more out towards Truro/Colchester?
We moved to NS 3 years ago, our son was 16 at the time. Out of all of us, he's the one who probably handled the move best of all. The fact he now has an Acadian girlfriend from Yarmouth also helps:lol:

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

I must admit I am amazed to read a question such as this. What do your kids DO in Devon which, the last time I looked, was quite RURAL? Where do you plan to live? If in a larger centre such as Halifax or Dartmouth all facilities are available. I assume you researched what are normal teenage activities in Canada. Sports for the most part here are Ice Hockey, American style Football and Basketball. Rugby is played but not played at the same level as in UK. We have no professional soccer anything close to what's in the UK. Kids listen to music, go to the movies, hang out at Malls and generally annoy adults, quite like as in the UK. If it's done in the States then it's done here and, for the most part, the USA still leads in finding things for kids to do.
It's always difficult to move kids away from familiar surroundings and friends. Often their social skills are underdeveloped so making new friends proves difficult. Taking them on a visit to NS will really prove nothing. Your agenda is so much different than for them unless you do research into an activity they presently do in Devon (sailing, horsebacking etc).

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

there is loads of things for kids to do here. It just depends what they are in to. :thumbsup:

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

We live in a rural town on the North shore with no more than 800 people yet the kids have all the school activities mentioned by the other post. They play all sports including football however not really to the UK standard (loads of leagues). We have an ice rink, bowling alley, trails for 4 wheelers and snowmobiles, Some wonderful beaches and the kids are so very polite for the most part and seem very easy to get on with. Truro and area which is 40 minutes away has some wonderful schools with fantastic facilities for the kids and the town has everything you would get in the UK.

Also i think it's what you make of it. Everyone has his/her own ideas about a place but one should make ones own mind up so a reccie may serve you better concentrating on the things you want most out of the move you may make.

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Thank you for all your replies to my question - they have all helped put my mind at rest that I am not looking at moving to some remote place where other kids are hard to find.;)

Brainscottie - although we live in Devon, which can be as you say RURAL, we live in the city, which although is still in Devon, has all amenities teenagers require; movies, shopping, beaches etc and is nothing like living in the rural towns and villages of Devon. I asked the question because I have seen a couple of posts saying there is nothing to do in NS, which although I knew was just one or two people's opinions, they set me thinking and all the research in the world is not as good as seeing it for yourself. We are initially looking at the Halifax and surrounding area mainly for employment reasons, and from the research I have done it doesn't seem a world away from the place we live now.

Val50 - your post is very reassuring. I feel that 16 is such a tender age to uproot them and it's good to now they can survive.

Thank again for all your help - I really just can't wait to visit now. I'm fed up of trawling the net for info.

Rubie x

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Hi Rubie

Don't worry about what there is to do - it does depend on where you end up - just enjoy your trip here and see for yourself.

We chose to stay nearer to hubby's job, we are close to amenities, the beach is a short drive away from us, Halifax is 20 mins away. There are shops, shopping malls, cinemas and a very good pool/rink near to us too. We have found that it's very family orientated out here and with 3 children, it's a blessing!

It really does depend on what you are looking for and what you have already experienced. We moved from Norfolk - but we didn't live in the middile of a field surrounded by cows!

Feel free to pm or email me if you want any other info.

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Thank you Nicola that's very kind. If you don't mind me asking, where abouts are you in NS? It sounds like the kind of place that would suit us - near enough to Halifax for work but somewhere that' s got everything for the kids.

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Here is a pdf of clubs around Colchester County (Truro area) that I have posted for others in the past.

Although I live in Pictou County, the Colchester County document is fairly typical of what is available up here too. Soccer is huge in NS with abundant teams for both boys and, surprisingly enough, girls too. During the winter months you will also find plenty free, outdoor ice rinks opening up too.

Plenty for kids and adults to do even in rural Nova Scotia :thumbsup:

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Hi YCD,

Thanks for that info, its really helpful, would you mind letting me know if there is a weblink to where you found the document?

Thanks:thumbup:

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Nikki, I can't remember where I got the pdf from. I have checked out some websites and have found this one. It seems to contain much the same information but is split into different categories.

http://www.colchester.ca/recreationa.../view-category :)

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Thanks Joyce, that's one I haven't found!!

best wishes

ND
x

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Broadly speaking, if you are anywhere in a 30 minute radius of Halifax you will get plenty of amenities for kids. All but the most rural areas are generally quite child focussed and most parents get involved in some way too.

Re: Is there anything to do in NS?
 

Frankly, no, it's shut. :thumbdown:

R.