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Hiya. I'm from BC, born and raised... My boyfriend and I are looking to relocate for a change of view, school and a jumpstart to our lives in September-ish... We've narrowed it down to Windsor, Pembroke or Cornwall Ontario... Moncton, New Brunswick or Dartmouth, Nova Scotia... Does anyone have any personal experience in any of these places and can give some insight? I'd love ANY help you have to give, thanks so much.
I lived in Halifax for three years and went to university there, but just google "swarming" and "Halifax" and you'll know why to avoid that area. It is beautiful, but expensive (cost of living versus average income). It's a scary place. Or maybe I am just a wimp.
Moncton is a wonderful small city. Low crime, affordable housing, bi-cultural atmosphere (French and English speaking), friendly (FRIENDLY) people, lots of green space and parks, family oriented, fabulous beaches with warm water and soft sand just a 17 minute drive away, lots of work, low cost of living. Drawbacks? Mosquitos and the water has too much chlorine.
I have lived in Alberta, Halifax, Quebec City, and a few other places which shall go unnamed in the effort to remain relatively anonymous (!) but suffice it to say, if I ever moved back to Canada, Moncton would be at the top of my list with Quebec City a close second (but now eliminated as my husband speaks only the Queen's English).
No experience of Cornwall or Pembroke - hopefully others will be able to advise on them.
Pembroke is about half the size and even quieter than Cornwall, which isn't particularly rollicking to begin with. Pembroke is a lumber town with a military scene going on as well due to the proximity of the Petawawa base. Pembroke is a good two hours from Ottawa.
Dartmouth (Halifax) and Moncton would both be good choices. I don't find Halifax to be dangerous, but it probably is more than Moncton since it is three times the size. Halifax is more exciting than Moncton - in a positive way - but Moncton is pretty good as well for a city of its size.
Windsor is somewhat in the doldrums right now, with one of the highest jobless rates in the country. It is though a good place to be close to big city excitement while at the same time being truly physically separated from the big city in the confines of a small city.
Dartmouth would be the only option as its next to Halifax,Unless there is family connections the other options are somewhat strange .Cornwall??Pembroke?? Windsor??Moncton??
What made you pick those options?
Pembroke is about half the size and even quieter than Cornwall, which isn't particularly rollicking to begin with. Pembroke is a lumber town with a military scene going on as well due to the proximity of the Petawawa base. Pembroke is a good two hours from Ottawa.
Dartmouth (Halifax) and Moncton would both be good choices. I don't find Halifax to be dangerous, but it probably is more than Moncton since it is three times the size. Halifax is more exciting than Moncton - in a positive way - but Moncton is pretty good as well for a city of its size.
Windsor is somewhat in the doldrums right now, with one of the highest jobless rates in the country. It is though a good place to be close to big city excitement while at the same time being truly physically separated from the big city in the confines of a small city.
Actually population and crime do not (surpisingly) go hand in hand. Halifax is in the top ten most dangerous cities in Canada but despite their mega sizes, neither Toronto or Montreal even make the list. Montreal ranks 19th out of 100 and Toronto is an (amazing) 26th. Halifax, despite being 1/3 the size, is on the top ten!!
When I lived in Halifax in the 80's it did not feel like a dangerous city - it does now.
"Montreal ranks 19th on Maclean's crime list and Toronto the Good (some stereotypes are true) is a sleepy 26th, gruesome headlines notwithstanding. The most notable result is the geographic distribution of Canadian crime. Halifax is the only eastern city in the top 10. The top nine — the Wild West — stretch from Winnipeg to Victoria."
Hi Majestic,
I have a house in Nova Scotia, on the Eastern Shore. We're from the States. We looked throughout Nova Scotia and settled on Sober Island, near Sheet Harbour. Took some adjustment but once I got to know people I realized this is a great place to live. Sheet Harbour is full service town that serves outlying areas within 100 kil or more. Depending on what you need for employment, check it out. Some do drive to Halifax everyday but that would be wearing. Take a look at other towns close to Halifax along the Eastern Shore such as Lawrencetown.
I nominate Moncton. Having lived there before I can say that the people there are the friendliest you could ever hope to meet. Nice relaxed pace of life, and with some French Acadian culture mixed in.
Halifax is colourful, and a great place for pubs and live entertainment for its size. But as others have said, the crime rate is surprisingly high. Some areas of Dartmouth are pretty sketchy. Also, I've heard that competition for jobs is pretty fierce there. And it's expensive -- rents there are a lot higher than anywhere else on the East Coast.
Windsor is being hit hard by the closure of auto manufacturing businesses. Unemployment is high and not likely to improve anytime soon.
Halifax is my home town. I really like the city. Great people and interesting things to see and do. It is a tough town though. I feel much safer in Calgary than I ever did in Halifax. It is a government town as well, so you are looking for a job in the private sector, it may not be the best choice.As sunshine mentioned, Halifax (at least Peninsular Halifax) is surprisingly expensive. There are affordable homes in many parts of Dartmouth and other surrounding communities though.
I have never liked Moncton. It has always seemed kind of dull to me. Pretty girls though.
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I'm from BC, born and raised... My boyfriend and I are looking to relocate for a change of view, school and a jumpstart to our lives in September-ish... We've narrowed it down to Windsor, Pembroke or Cornwall Ontario... Moncton, New Brunswick or Dartmouth, Nova Scotia... Does anyone have any personal experience in any of these places and can give some insight? I'd love ANY help you have to give, thanks so much. 
