Any good? Anybody actually there? Any experience of the local school(s)?


Hubby has a job offer and we have a fantastic option on a house there- (which OH has seen- I just have footage of for now.....)

So if you have opened this thread I am assuming you either have some pearls of wisdom on the place, or are as curious as me....

Our kids are aged 4 and 7.

Cheers

Hi

Whilst you're waiting for a response (which I'm sure will be along shortly) you may find some useful information by using the search function. Have just typed in Truro and pulled up quite a few posts - means trawling through them but its a start.

Thanks Beastie- I did do some trawling today at work under Truro but didn't get anything more out of the posts than we already have ie. we've met the relevant RDA contact, OH seemed happy with the reccie he recently did- but I haven't yet found anything written from someone who is actually living there. And as I have yet to visit myself, I was curious to know how anyone was finding it. Not that I don't trust my husband's opinion or anything, but I reckon I need to get out there to see it for myself pretty sharp!

Well in my opinion Truro isn't the best place in Nova Scotia but if you have a great job and a wonderful house then I think it would be great. So think postive and all will be fine.
It is called the hub of Nova Scotia so you can go all over from there.

sorry not exactly sure where in NS it is but i can tell you that NS compared to britain has every club sport or activity that you can think of that the children can get involved in, i am moving to fall river in may and when i visited i was blown away by the sheer oppertunity my children will have. my guys are 3 and 7. schools i visited were great for that reasons alone i was delighted.

Sounds great to me a job offer and a house lined up. Truro is the hub of Nova Scotia and does have a thriving community. It is 30mins from airport and 1hr from downtown Halifax. There is a lot of development going on at the moment and many plans into the future. There is a new Hospital being built this year and many new business opening all the time. Every time we go into Truro there is something new. There are lots of sports, clubs, swimming pools (3) and many other activities there.
Ski Wentworth http://www.skiwentworth.ca/ is around 40mins away.
There are two of my favorite coffee shops in town http://www.fairtradecountrycafe.com/
Truro Raceway http://www.truroraceway.ca/
Great all year round venue 20mins out of town http://www.sugarmoon.ca/

Which area of Truro is the house located in? What things would you like to know?

Hi Paradisefound.......thanks for the links. The area we are looking at is Beaver Brook and I understand the nearest school would be Cobequid Consolidated Elemetary School, which apparently will be moving to a brand new site in September 08. Supports your comments about a lot of development going on! However, although I can access the Junior High website there doesn't appear to be an active site for the Elementary school.
So really my main question is around the standard of the schooling there and what opportunities will exist for my kids. If anyone knew this in advance of me getting a trip out there for myself.

It does appeal to me that this location would be within reasonable distance of all NS has to offer.

Like I say I do need to visit there myself to have a proper look- but I just wanted anyone else's experience of the place. Still don't seem to have found any British Expats actually living there! Not to say we can't be the first!

Husband was particularly impressed with the friendliness of the people there.
One tip for those doing reccies I imagine that driving through strange towns it would be easy to make the assumption that 'theres not a lot here'- however, if you have the opportunity for a 'local' to show you around as my husband did he was amazed by how much more there was to see and learn about the place.

Hi MjM1

I'm going to Truro myself in a couple of weeks for a reccie so I'll also be interested to hear what anyone else has to say.

I'll be looking at schools, areas to live, what's going on in the community etc so will post my findings when I return!
Lynpy

Hi MJM1

I live 'up the road' in New Glasgow and have been to Truro a few times for shopping and soccer.

Here is a pdf of local activities/clubs in Truro that I posted on the boards a few months back.

Have a listen to their local radio stations 'Big Dog' and 'Cat Country'

You're totally right - you do have to see it for yourself. This is all I can offer...

It depends so much on what you're used to. I dont know where you live now but if you currently live in an upmarket town in the UK that sees itself as a bit "cosmopolitan" and you like that then Truro might not be what you're after. Halifax would certainly be the closest thing to a vibrant cosmopolitan city that NS has to offer. Although someone earlier described it as the "hub" of NS this is more from a perspective of transport links (most of the main highways leaving NS go past Truro) - it definitely isnt the economic centre or social network centre of NS. What I mean is a slightly older population, less wealth, slightly more old-fashioned attitudes etc. Think pick-up trucks and Country & Western music

But none of those are necessarily bad things - you would probably find it has a much closer community feel than Halifax, probably less crime and, as you say, very friendly. Salaries would probably be lower than in Halifax but I'm sure it would be a good place to raise a family and I would imagine wouldn't suffer from some of the competitive pressures that some neighborhoods near Halifax are certainly guilty of. The historic architecture is lovely and there are also fairly industrial areas - quite a few retail parks etc. House prices are definitely significantly cheaper than areas near Halifax so you would get more for your money but might not have the same earning power either.

In terms of property price appreciation (if that matters to you) I would say it would probably be a reasonable bet. The Colchester Rural Development agency are agressively courting both people (especially immigrants) and new businesses to move to the area in a way I havent seen before. Halifax could learn a lot from what they're doing. So whereas most areas outside Halifax are suffering from declining populations, Truro seems to be doing okay and they certainly seem extremely determined to grow the economy there. Its probably well positioned to become Nova Scotia's second city in the future.

Its easy to assume that the decision about where to live is the most important but actually how you live will have a bigger impact on whether you're happy or not. So, as someone else said, if your OH has a great job and is happy in work, you have a nice house, can afford a few luxuries, make some decent friends and your kids are happy in the local school then it probably wouldnt really matter where you live.

Not to mention Lobster sushi!

Enjoyed the food in NS is was proper quality, as they say round my way.

{edit} oops apart from that chinese in Annapolis Royal... man that was rank.

I have to agree with all of the above, except maybe a few things in the first paragraph. Truro is on the move and this is being driven and wanted by many in the community. It is getting a younger and more vibrant feel to the area all the time. So I am sure it will be NS second city in the not too distant future.
I will find out what I can about the school you are looking at and let you know. I know quite a few teachers that cover the area.
If you get in touch when you are over I will be happy to show you around.

Sounds like a few I have experience all around the Province.

Hi All

I am planning a reccie in September and am mainly going to be looking at Truro and Halifax, these being the areas for jobs etc in my field.

Can anyone advise with regards hiring a car for these areas. Do i need to hire a car or or is there public transport available. Due to vacations in NS and from websites etc, I know Acadian buses go to Truro and Metro are in Halifax, but would this suffice (i am thinking of the cost of hiring a car) and if i am honest i am quite nervous about driving on the right hand side of the road, as i have never done this before and I am on my own so will not have anyone to help with the driving!!

I plan on arranging meetings with the RDAs in Truro and Halifax over my two week reccie and will be staying, hopefully, in bed and breakfasts in both places. I was thinking one week in Truro and one week in Halifax/Dartmouth areas.

I am sure some of you will be able to provide good advice.

Emmjay

Driving is fine, all you have to do is think of where you would be in the vehicle on the road in the UK - sat in the middle of the road and just always make sure you stay in the middle of the road, if you see what I mean. If you see the ditch close by on your LHS, you need to readjust! I actually find it much easier to drive in Canada than the UK!

I've used www.wheelsabroad.ca with no probs and others have recently recommended others....