WELCOME HOME: Why Atlantic Canada Is The Place To Work From Home
It’s no secret that remote work is gaining popularity. More and more companies are seeing the advantages of people working from home and are embracing flexibility in determining where people work and when.
While there are benefits of working remotely regardless of where you’re based, there are drawbacks too. Although it means reducing commute times to zero, being isolated in a small space that’s sometimes shared with a partner or family members can take its toll.
Being based in Atlantic Canada solves a lot of the challenges that come with working from home. We spoke with Glen Hicks from USTATION, a tech-enabled, co-working space in Saint John, New Brunswick, about what makes Atlantic Canada an ideal place for remote workers. A self-described “Work From Anywhere Evangelist,” he has great insights into what makes the region special.
The Cost Of Living Is Second To None
You can buy a larger house for a lower price – a very important factor when you need more space to create separation with family members and achieve a better work-life balance. You can have a dedicated office, for example, in a larger space rather than work from the kitchen table.
“One of the things about working remotely, your home becomes your office,” said Hicks. “If you’re comparing home sizes and things like that, you can have more options and bang for your buck.”
Although home costs are rising in the region, they remain significantly lower than in other urban parts of Canada.
“I still think there’s [enhanced value] in terms of larger homes and inspiring spaces,” said Hicks. “There’s space close to the water and a larger piece of land, which is great because working from home, just getting out on your own property is kind of nice.”
Being Close To Nature Is A Gamechanger
“It’s really important that we have so many natural amenities nearby,” said Hicks. “I live in a residential area of Saint John and within minutes, I can be mountain biking, hiking, I can be on the river boating or swimming.”
For remote workers, you can spend a lunch break going for a run through a trail, going on a bike ride, or just spending some time by the beach in the summer.
“Compare that to larger suburbs in other areas of Canada. It takes you 30 minutes to an hour just to get out of the subdivision before you can then start to find some other amenities.”
The Internet Infrastructure Is Ready To Provide
Three Atlantic Canadian communities recently topped the list of The Best Work-From-Home Cities 2021: Dieppe (1), Halifax (2) and Quispamsis (4). Great broadband infrastructure was one of the things that made the region stand out.
Hicks says the connections are strongest in the urban areas but the rural areas are getting better too.
“It’s important that we have good technology in most places in Atlantic Canada,” he said.
“We’ve got one and a half gigabytes of fiber speed internet. I just got back from my cottage on the outskirts of [the city of Miramichi] and still had a great connection there.”
Maritime Hospitality Makes Your Neighbours Your Co-Workers
“When people work from the office, they pretty much spend most of their physical time with their co-workers and you’re brought together by the job,” said Hicks.
Working remotely gives workers the ability to work in other places in the neighbourhood. Someone could spend an afternoon working from a local taproom, a coffee shop, a library, or a co-working space like USTATION. In those places, workers get to spend more time with other people in the community.
“Having the option to spend more time with people around you in your community can combat loneliness,” he said. “We are friendly and welcoming, especially for new folks in the community,” he said.
As Proud Atlantic Canadians we want to say “Welcome Home” to all new arrivals.
— KENT, Your Atlantic Canadian Home Improvement Store