You and your family will feel wanted and supported by Nova Scotians and newcomers alike with our East Coast charm. You have a choice of cities, towns, and true rural to live the way you’ve been longing for. Take a read through some of the choices, but feel free to reach out to our community navigators to learn more!
While each region is unique, there are a few things you can find in every Nova Scotian community:
NATURE WORTH EXPLORING
From parks in urban areas to sprawling wilderness in rural communities, there are many trails to wander, sights to discover, and new outdoor experiences to be had.
ACCESSIBLE AMENITIES
Even in our most rural communities, grocery stores, schools, recreation facilities, gas stations, and pharmacies are within reach.
FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURS
People often talk about East Coast charm. But what does that really mean? Meeting people who are genuinely interested in welcoming you into the community. Once you experience it, you'll know.
To narrow down the right community for you, you have to ask yourself a few questions:
- Rural, small town, or city?
- Oceanside or inland?
- Are you moving for university or college?
- What industry would you like to work in?
From the small town feel of a quaint fishing village to the hustle and bustle of a growing city, every region in Nova Scotia offers a unique energy. Discover what makes each Nova Scotian community different and find the perfect lifestyle for you.
Halifax - Our Capital City
As a historic port city, Halifax has always been tightly connected to its waterfront. But where it was once industrial and gritty, it’s now vibrant, bustling, and inviting. An urban wanderers’ dream, the boardwalk is a four-kilometre (2.5 miles) harbourside adventure of shopping, beer gardens, museums, restaurants, tours, playgrounds, and public art. Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia and the perfect balance between relaxed coastal living and thriving city life. In this bustling waterfront city, you’re never far from trendy restaurants, world-class boutiques, exciting entertainment, and more.
Dartmouth is just a short ferry ride away. Known as the City of Lakes, it boasts 23 lakes that provide opportunities for kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing, and swimming. Paddle on Lake Banook or visit one of the many parks and walking trails that stretch out into the unspoiled coastal beauty of the Eastern Shore.
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) encompasses the cities of Halifax and Dartmouth and extends outside of the downtown core to many nearby communities such as Sambro, Clayton Park, Hammonds Plains, Bedford, and Fall River. There are over 130 schools in HRM and six universities.
It is also home to the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the largest air hub on the East Coast of Canada.
HRM offers plenty of natural beauty waiting to be explored with hiking, paddling, and more all right in your backyard. With the city a short drive away, the HRM is truly the best of all worlds.
Halifax is home to some of the best restaurants in the country, with incredible local seafood as well as bold, exciting new flavours.
In the Halifax Regional Municipality, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors all year long.
There are recreation programs available for everyone.
The Emera Oval is open year-round, providing free public skates in the winter and biking and roller blading in spring and summer. There are a number of community pools available too - the perfect remedy for our warm summers.
South Shore
If you were to picture “relaxed coastal living,” chances are you’d be picturing the South Shore. This region is home to over 40 lighthouses and charming seaside towns. Life in the South Shore is quintessentially Nova Scotian. Communities are welcoming, properties overlook white sandy beaches, and towns are full of artisan shops, craft breweries, award winning restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops.
Stroll along the colourful buildings of Old Town Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Bluenose II, and amazing restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and unique shops.
The charming town of Liverpool is located in the Region of Queens. Full of local shops and cafes, it's just minutes away from some of Nova Scotia’s most beautiful white sandy beaches.
The historic town of Shelburne offers a low cost of living, a friendly and relaxed lifestyle, and opportunities for work and leisure.
Chester is a close-knit, safe community about an hour drive from Halifax, with a strong base of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Mahone Bay is home to the world-famous three churches that sit at the water’s edge and form the iconic backdrop of one of Canada’s most picturesque towns.
Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
Welcome and Bienvenue to Yarmouth & Acadian Shores, home to the largest Acadian community in Nova Scotia, dark skies, and a rich seafaring culture and history. In communities such as Clare and Argyle, you’ll find music, festivals, museums, and cuisine that celebrate the Acadian culture while being part of a vibrant and welcoming community.
Yarmouth is the largest community in this area and is located on the ocean with grand sea captain’s homes lining the streets and fishing boats in the harbour. The Town of Yarmouth is the regional centre of Southwest Nova Scotia. It is known for its rich Maritime lifestyle, local artists, and food scene that ranges from locally-caught seafood to international cuisine.
The historic Tusket Islands, only accessible by boat, are full of history on buried treasure and WWII spies.
Festival acadien de Clare Les Beaux Vendredis is a yearly celebration of this region’s Acadian roots and includes a parade, food, music, and cultural events.
The Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands is the first destination in North America to receive a Starlight certification by the Starlight Foundation.
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley
On the Bay of Fundy—home of the highest tides in the world—you can climb 300-foot coastal cliffs with gorgeous ocean views. Then, walk right on the ocean floor where the tide has dropped the height of a four-storey building.
Popular communities in this region include Wolfville, Annapolis Royal, Digby, Kentville, Windsor, Parrsboro, and Advocate Harbour.
This region is also home to Nova Scotia’s wine country. With 15 different wineries to visit, you can spend your afternoon tasting different local wines, then take in a meal at a trendy restaurant. Being a valley region, it is also home to numerous farmers’ markets full of fresh produce and locally-made products for you to enjoy.
Wolfville is a trendy little town, best known for its amazing restaurants and close proximity to many of the region’s wineries. It is also home to Acadia University.
Northumberland Shore
Located between Nova Scotia and PEI, the beaches on this side of the province have the warmest waters north of the Carolinas, making the Northumberland Shore truly Beach Country. And with an abundance of history and Scottish culture, the province’s oldest and largest winery, and delicious local food, it’s the perfect place to relax and experience coastal life. Northumberland Shore communities offer period homes, tree-lined streets, and strong entrepreneurial spirit as residents enjoy a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
The town of Pictou is renowned as the “Birthplace of New Scotland.” It was here the first wave of Scottish immigrants landed in 1773. It is also home to the ferry route between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and Melmerby Beach Provincial Park. In the town of Pictou, old-world charm and culture meets modern facilities and friendly hospitality.
New Glasgow is a beautiful and charming town nestled on the banks of the East River, which flows into Pictou Harbour.
Your weekend just got an upgrade with a visit to Tatamagouche, where you’ll find artisan chocolatiers, a fantastic local brewery, and more.
Rich in Gaelic history, Antigonish is home to one of Canada's most prestigious schools, St. Francis Xavier University.
Colchester - Cumberland
Colchester - Cumberland are known for rural landscapes, rich history, and a strong sense of community pride - not to mention natural beauty and an abundance of outdoor activities!
Truro is known as the hub of Nova Scotia, located in the middle of the province with over 12,000 residents and a thriving business community.
Downtown Amherst is full of unique architecture, local artisans, and delicious places to grab a bite to eat.
Your weekend just got an upgrade with a visit to Tatamagouche, where you’ll find artisan chocolatiers, a fantastic local brewery, and more.
Cape Breton Island
Pjila’si! One hundred thousand welcomes! Bienvenue! Ciad mille failte! These are the words of welcome you might hear when you arrive in Cape Breton Island—a place filled with rich Mi’kmaq, Gaelic, and Acadian heritage, outdoor adventure, scenic drives, breathtaking views, and the freshest seafood imaginable.
Voted the #1 Island in North America by Condé Nast Traveler readers, your backyard will include the world-renowned Cabot Trail with its dramatic coastal beauty and stunning highland scenery.
Sydney is the largest urban area and its waterfront is the heart of the city with a large cruise pavilion, buskers, and the world’s largest fiddle.
Chéticamp is a traditional Acadian fishing village situated along the picturesque Cabot Trail.
Set on the shores of the Bras d’Or Lake is Baddeck, a vibrant village in the heart of Cape Breton Island.
Eastern Shore
Pristine wilderness, deep history, wild islands and beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. Just a few of the many reasons you’ll want to call the Eastern Shore home.
You could fill your weekends with some of the best cold-water surfing on the east coast of North America or explore the protected 100 Wild Islands with sheltered coves, turquoise waters, and unique boreal rainforests.
The Eastern Shore is the perfect place to live if you enjoy outdoor adventure, like kayaking and hiking.
Guysborough, a community located on a quiet cove and known for its distillery and brewery, offers fresh air, clean water, pristine wooded hillsides, and tranquil beaches with rugged rocky shores.
Sheet Harbour is a quaint community on the Eastern Shore, providing a wide variety of opportunities for coastal exploration, from boat tours, hiking, kayaking, and camping in the beautiful outdoors.