WELCOME HOME: 5 Things To Know Before Leaving The Big City For The Atlantic Provinces
It is no secret that moving to the Maritimes from the country’s larger urban centres has become more popular than ever. Demand for housing is at a record high as a surge of people from Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver move to Canada’s East Coast for a quieter, more affordable life.
We spoke with two families who recently relocated to the Maritimes from Toronto and asked their advice for people who want to make the same move.
Jordan and Jess Owens moved from Toronto to Saint John, New Brunswick, last fall with their young daughter and family dog. The Owens have a YouTube channel where they document the stages of moving to the Maritimes and settling down. They even produced a special episode called “Thinking of Moving To New Brunswick For Work Or Play? [Watch This First].“
Janette Downie and Steve Fleiszer also moved from Toronto last fall with their young son and settled in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. They are the co-founders of Space Creatorz, a digital marketing agency, and attended Acadia University in Nova Scotia. They returned to their hometown of Toronto for 10 years, returning to the Maritimes after the Covid-19 pandemic hit last year.
Both couples have been adjusting to life in the Atlantic provinces and shared some tips for folks looking to escape life in the big city.
Embrace The Quiet Life
“If you’re moving from a metropolitan-type environment, be prepared for things to move a little slower than you’re used to. People aren’t squished together like they are in major cities,” said Jordan.
They may have had easier access to some services and amenities found in larger centres, but having space to breathe has been beneficial for those who have moved to the area.
“Things that were at our fingertips in Southern Ontario aren’t anymore and that’s something we’re getting used to, but it’s not a big deal,” said Jess. “It’s not necessarily a bad thing, we just do things differently now.”
The Community Is Happy To Help
In the experience of both couples, the stereotype of Maritime hospitality is true.
“People are friendlier,” said Steve. “Of course, this is a personal experience, but I think a great example is when we were out here calling to set up our Internet and our other services and we found the person we talked about was much friendlier than back in Toronto.”
Jess and Jordan say the community welcomed them with open arms from the moment they arrived. Neighbours have done things like lend them tools to help with their home renovations. Jordan, a former professional hockey player, was also invited to join a local men’s league.
“Those types of little gestures go a long way when you don’t know anyone else in town,” said Jordan.
“From locals and people that we have met, we’ve felt welcomed with open arms,” said Steve. “There was a bit of concern that maybe local businesses might be a little apprehensive to work with a marketing agency that came from Ontario, but that hasn’t been the case at all.”
Being Surrounded By Nature Is Worth It
“We’re very comfortable with the idea of moving out of the city and into a quieter, more remote setting,” said Janette. “A lot of people think that means, ‘Oh, well, then there’s nothing to do’ but that’s definitely not the case. There’s something around every turn and there’s a lot of opportunities to be active and engaged.”
Both couples highlighted hiking trails and being close to the ocean as benefits of living on the East Coast. For Jess and Jordan, exploring parks and taking scenic drives have been highlights of their experience so far.
“I saw a porcupine for the first time in my life crossing the highway, which was really cool,” said Jordan. “There’s an abundance of outdoor and beautiful spots to see and if you can skirt around that heavy mortgage payment, it’s winning all around.”
Get Help When Looking For A Place To Live
The reality of finding a place to live in other parts of the country during the pandemic is relying on online viewings before signing a lease or a mortgage.
Jordan recommends narrowing down what you are looking for – be it a loft, a house, or an apartment – and finding a realtor to help.
“They’re going to have the most up-to-date and relevant information for you,” he said.
Steve adds relying on a network of friends and family who live in the area is hugely beneficial.
“Try to be creative to figure out ways to get a grasp on different areas and what might be attractive to you before making that move on a whim,” he said.
Don’t Be Intimidated By The Winter Weather
Last, but not least: the weather. The temperature and weather conditions may change more from day to day than city dwellers are used to because of the coastal climate, but Janette say people from outside the region have misconceptions about what it’s really like here.
“A lot of people in Toronto when we were leaving were saying, ‘What about the winter and the weather?’ and said it would be horrible but that’s certainly not the case,” said Janette. “It’s no different. If anything, it was milder than Ontario.”
As Proud Atlantic Canadians we want to say “Welcome Home” to all new arrivals.
— KENT, Your Atlantic Canadian Home Improvement Store