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Okay, we're planning to move out of Montreal and have narrowed down to these locations.
We need-
1. Low cost of living (we're simple people and don't want to spend much on a mortgage, had enough of that in Vancouver thanks), $250k MAX for a 3+ bedroom house (no condo, no townhouse)
2. Short commute time into the city (Fredericton or Halifax), 30 minutes or less each way, the lesser the better.
3. Good quality school districts, prefer Anglophone but option for French immersion for one of our kids is really important. One child will not be doing immersion.
4. Decent proximity to some sort of recreation (ocean, mountains, lakes, trails, whatever)
Halifax looks more expensive than Fredericton, is housing reasonable? Which neighbourhoods of each city would you recommend? I really need a lot of research as my husband is buying without me being present (I have to stay back with the kids).
1. Low cost of living (we're simple people and don't want to spend much on a mortgage, had enough of that in Vancouver thanks), $250k MAX for a 3+ bedroom house (no condo, no townhouse)
I'm biased towards Halifax as that's where I was born and raised. But NB definitely has more of a French presence, if that is something that interests you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aliss2
2. Short commute time into the city (Fredericton or Halifax), 30 minutes or less each way, the lesser the better.
There are some nice quiet bedroom communities outside Halifax, such as Sackville, Bedford, Waverly, Fall River, and even some parts of (gasp!) Dartmouth. Most commutes into the city are 30 mins or less by car, but transit options might be limited in certain areas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aliss2
3. Good quality school districts, prefer Anglophone but option for French immersion for one of our kids is really important. One child will not be doing immersion.
Can't help much with school stuff, but there are several immersion schools in and around Halifax.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aliss2
4. Decent proximity to some sort of recreation (ocean, mountains, lakes, trails, whatever)
Halifax has all of these. In abundance. I'm sure Fredericton does, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aliss2
Halifax looks more expensive than Fredericton, is housing reasonable? Which neighbourhoods of each city would you recommend? I really need a lot of research as my husband is buying without me being present (I have to stay back with the kids).
Housing in Halifax is currently overpriced but the market has stalled. If you can wait a bit, prices will come down, but you also might be able to snipe a few sellers who have been sitting on the market for a long time.
Sign up at Nova Scotia Real Estate and MLS Listings - ViewPoint.ca and you can view the listing details for all NS properties. You can see how long it has been on the market, tax estimates, how many times it has been re-listed/expired, and other useful bits of info. AFAIK, no other province allows the consumer to access this data without an agent.
NB real estate is cheaper, but then you would have to live in NB.
nice quiet bedroom communities outside Halifax, such as Sackville, Bedford, Waverly, Fall River, and even some parts of (gasp!) Dartmouth.
Also Upper Tantallon, Hammonds Plains, communities along the road to the airport (Enfield)...
At first sight, the real estate listings will seem out of your range, as the aggressive marketing will make it seem, but in reality $250K is plenty enough to buy a decent house. NS has a bit of the "edge of the world" feeling, a country away from thoroughfares, and the deals can always be made - just because of the limited number of buyers. So it would be worthwhile to rent an apartment for a few months while you are looking. Also working with an agent (I met only decent folks) who would dig any info.
There are "early immersion" and "late immersion" (starting in 7th grade) schools so be careful which one you are choosing. Here are the early French immersion elementary schools:
I was a bit disappointed though with the dearth of resources for kids with special needs. But then I don't know about NB. Above all, access to doctors will be MUCH easier than in Montreal (it's crazy here).
I suggest, for no other reason than I can, the Lunenburg are of Nova Scotia. Judging by the scenery in the background of the SiFi show "Haven" filmed in Lunenburg vicinity it seems to be a very attractive area on the south coast of the island. I plan to visit the region in the next couple of years.
I suggest, for no other reason than I can, the Lunenburg are of Nova Scotia. Judging by the scenery in the background of the SiFi show "Haven" filmed in Lunenburg vicinity it seems to be a very attractive area on the south coast of the island. I plan to visit the region in the next couple of years.
Probably a wise choice. The Maritimes are beautiful, but they have significant challenges.
Best of luck with the move!
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