Halifax, NS or Fredericton, NB (ski resort, home, employment)

[aliss2]

We are a family of 4 (mom, dad, 3 year & 4 month old boys) and planning a move from Montreal (I am originally from Vancouver, husband from Montreal). We're exploring our options in either Halifax or Fredericton. Any experiences? We haven't been to either one. Employment is not an issue. Our desire is to find affordable housing with acreage, proximity to natural parks/camping (within 1-2 hours drive), distance to decent schools. Don't care about city life, night life, shopping, etc.

[HughBetcha]

I've lived in Halifax, Bedford and even Moncton for awhile and given what you say your main priorities are (affordable housing with acreage) then Fredericton would definitely win that contest, hands down. I used to have to travel to Fredericton every month for my job and always considered it to be one of the most under-rated cities in all of Canada (and I had to travel the 5 eastern most provinces every month, including Quebec, so I got to see all of the cities in between). Crime-wise, Fredericton is much safer than Halifax, of course there will always be bad apples everywhere, but by and large you'd be much safer there than in Halifax. What Halifax and the surrounding are does have over Fredericton is a warmer climate and much, much more stuff in the area "to do" over the course of a year. Fredericton is lovely, colder and snowier but there is obviously just a lot less around to do. I can't comment on schools though since I was a single, professional at the time (no kids). So, as with all living choices it becomes what do you want most. I enjoy both cities and can make a strong case for either, but going back what seems to be your main point(s), my hunch is that Fredericton is your better option. This is just my two-cents of course and I'm sure some here will disagree, but I wish you well in your search nevertheless

[nuala]

Pluses of living in NS:

ocean! This alone would take 10 pluses. My kids will forever associate the fragrance of the ocean with their childhood. We don't live in Halifax, though, but further along the shore. But the water-related lifestyle permeates anywhere you go: the kids could get enrolled into learning to sail, surf, canoe, kayak, windsurf... The beaches, the parks, seeing the crowds of RV-ers from the nethers of Canada who save money to see where you already live... This is priceless! (Nova Scotians are invariably drawn back to their home province, because the ocean cannot leave your soul. Some come home after a few years elsewhere, some for their retirement, - but they do come back!)

Fairly good schools with a number of private schools, fairly good children hospital, IWK, lots of open spaces (fields, farms) - horse riding lessons, interpretive farm museums, etc.

Minuses:

skiers have to travel elsewhere to get to serious mountains. Fredericton has Crabbe Mountain ski resort, and Edmundston ski area is a hidden gem. Population getting older and smaller, and the province's budget gets hit withe the necessity of cuts.

I've only passed Fredericton and don't have an in-depth knowledge, but I also had a feeling that it is an under-appreciated, under-known city. The mountain is a plus for me, as is the bilingualism of the province. Here in NS, one can only get to a French school if their parents are French-speaking - mirroring Quebec policy. Our English schools with French immersion still don't produce fluent French speakers.