Setayharas

Hi!
looking for any experience really on the Truro area.
My husband has received a job offer, which would be based in Truro.
We have a 2 year old daughter.
Now the excitement has died down we are looking at the realities of relocating with a child. Although she is the main push for this, as we want to move away from the London culture and give her more a outdoor lifestyle.
My question is, has anyone lived in this area with a small child? Iv been researching childcare and things and although I can find day care centres, I can’t find any toddler groups, classes or soft play centres around the Truro area, everything appears to be very centred around Halifax and although this isn’t a million miles away, I’m worried we may feel isolated without any socialising or groups we attend in the UK.
How do mums of younger children meet?

Does anyone have an experience with living closer to Halifax (Dartmouth area was our first choice) and commuting to Truro? Would this be a silly idea during the winter?
Thank you in advance!

Tumbling_Dice

I can't comment on childcare.

However, regarding driving: I have known a few people who live in Truro and commute to Halifax / Dartmouth. What they say is that the drive tends to be fine except on the HRM end. If you live in Dartmouth, and going against traffic, you can do Truro in about an hour, and it is highway the entire way. However, during winter the weather would make that treacherous on occasion, and there is also the fact that road maintenance here is appalling... large potholes and canyons between lanes are frequent and bend people's hubs / pop their tyres. I guess if the work can be doen remotely then the bad weather days aren't an issue, but if it is on site work, if it were me, I would investigate very carefully.

BristolUK

I was just about to 'page' Tumbling-Dice.

Try silverdragon102 too

Silverdragon102

There are a few families over the years live in the Truro area, I live about an hour away so don’t really know much about the area.

Setayharas

Thanks Tumbling_Dice that does clarify what we suspected about commuting. Husband wouldn’t be able to work remotely.
So realistically we are looking closer to Truro than the Halifax area. Although, I’m assuming that would make finding employment for me with a bank background harder.
hoping to get a trip in, asap to get a better idea of plases outside of the Halifax/Dartmouth area.

Lamin415

Look at Enfield or Elmsdale, growing outdoor communities with a quick drive to Truro for work and Halifax for life.

Flogger

I live about 15 to 2o mins South of truro and comute to the city every day . Takes around 4p minutes to get into halifax for me .
it's a long straight road with relatively little traffic on it .
Swerving potholes helps pass the miles this time of year .
Truro itself is probably not the most picturesque town in the maritimes. It does however, finally have a curry house(sort of) I would say though that there are plenty of towns along the the 102 that would be easy to commute in both directions if you did get a job in HRM .

Setayharas

Thanks! Definitely feeling that a town further towards Halifax would fit us better as a family.
the search for a home continues, hopefully with another trip it will all become clearer!

This feeling of anxiety at leaving the UK behind is normal right!? Been pushing for this for years and years and now we are just questioning whether taking. Our daughter to a new life without grandparents in the correct move.

Moses2013

This is not Canada related and nobody knows your motivation. People move for various reasons and it's been said before that those who have a strong family connection are usually the ones who struggle the most. Those who make it abroad are in one way a bit selfish and might be motivated by other things, a job they couldn't do back home, money/success, partner from that country and so on. A person who wants to become the best surfer in the world and lives in Edmonton will probably find it easier to leave family behind. You say it is about outdoor lifestyle, what will happen when you realise that work is not better, money is less and life is basically the exact same with the downside that you have no parents close by? If it's just about hiking, kayaking and going o the beach, maybe the same would be possible in Truro UK or somewhere a few hours drive away from family?

Tumbling_Dice

I am a financial planner, and have some contacts in the local banking sector. I can tell you there are a lot of vacancies about just now for financial advisors, mortgage advisors, that sort of thing, and Truro does feature. If I can help in any way in pointing you in the right direction with this, feel free to ask.

abner

Methinks that if your relocation is driven by a primary income linked to a small regional city (and your family may well have decent second income prospects in the same city, as per "Tumbling_Dice's" post above), you'd be crazy to tack on 90 extra daily minutes of commuting time, to live in a distant 'in-between' suburb of a somewhat larger city.

Let go of the bigger city. Eliminating major commutes is a big part of what makes regional life attractive (and cheap). And trying to assimilate into three locales at once (Truro, Halifax, and the in-between residence location) will only complicate an expatriate family move.

Grimnorth

Hi

We live about 30 mins outside Truro in rural NS. Noel near Maitland on the map. It is an even split between shopping in Truro of Elmsdale (previously mentioned). We shop in Truro most of the time and find it has most things you would need. In winter the 102 (Highway to Truro from Elmsdale, Dartmouth, Halifax etc) can be a nightmare, my wife uses it going the other way to Dartmouth Crossing and is not a fan. In addition the mileage, cost of ware and tear on our vehicles let alone fuel leads me to suggest you do not want to be commuting too far.

Our friends live in Truro and Stephanie works for Truro Town Council. She moved there with young kids (possibly a bit older than yours) and is happy to answer your questions. I will PM you with her Email.

Good luck and welcome to NS.