11 Great Things About Moving to Newfoundland

Every province has its selling points and discovering them can help you decide if moving there will be worth it. Newfoundland is generally known for attracting people who want to relocate from the busy city, drawn by a more relaxed way of life. Others move there for a new job or education. But there are many other fantastic reasons why you should move to Newfoundland.

1. Low Crime Rate

Finding a low-crime area is a top priority for most people that are relocating. Newfoundland’s low crime rate makes it an excellent province for moving house and raising a family.

2. A Friendly and Welcoming Community

Newfoundlanders are known to be some of the friendliest people in Canada. With smiles everywhere and people open to chatting with strangers, the place is welcoming to outsiders.

3. The Mouth-watering Food

Fish constitutes much of the province’s diet, which isn’t surprising since the area is surrounded by the ocean and has many rivers. You can enjoy delicious fish and seafood prepared in different ways to excite your taste buds. Other foods you can savour in Newfoundland include moose, toutons (mostly eaten at breakfast), and the traditional Jiggs’ Dinner meal made of salt beef or turkey, cabbage and potatoes.

4. Affordable Housing

Newfoundland has some of the cheapest housing costs in the entire country. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average cost of buying a home in Newfoundland is $285,900 compared to $989,523 in British Columbia and $910,102 in Ontario as of June 2023. In addition, the Canadian Rental Housing Index shows that the province’s average monthly rent and utilities are some of the lowest in Canada. The low prices make renting and buying a house easier, especially for first-time home buyers, as down payments are lower.

5. The Vast and Stunning Landscape

Newfoundland’s landscape is rich with endless mountains, fjords, rivers, and the ocean with spectacular beaches. Here, you can see icebergs and watch the whales play nearby, making it a dream destination for nature lovers and outdoorsy people. This eye-catching beauty is complemented by a raw wilderness full of natural hiking and walking trails close to the city.

6. Rich and Unique Culture

The people have a distinct and interesting English dialect that you’ll enjoy learning. This dialect has its own dictionary from which you can easily grasp the meaning of the words you don’t know.

Also, you’ll get a chance to interact with the Mi’kmaq people and experience their way of life. They are said to be descendants of the culturally extinct Beothuk tribe, who are the indigenous people of Newfoundland and the oldest culture in North America.

7. A Slower Pace of Life

Life in Newfoundland is relaxed and easy-going, making it low-key compared to the more populous provinces. So, for people who desire a slower pace of life in a place with a small community, this province is the way to go.

In fact, Statistics Canada says Newfoundlanders have the highest life satisfaction in the country at 55.2% for men and 61.9% for women.

8. Short Commute Times

Unlike in bigger cities where the commute to work tends to be quite long (about 2 hours to and fro), in Newfoundland, you’ll find the reverse to be true. Most places in the province’s cities are within a 5-minute drive, and only when there is traffic can it take you between 8-15 minutes to reach your desired destination. You’ll only encounter the longest commutes during the winter season.

9. Lively Music and Arts Scene

The province takes pride in its traditional Celtic and folk music. But it also enjoys other musical genres like hip hop. Besides that, it has a lot of high-quality art performances, such as community plays, slam poetry, art installations, etc., performed by known artists on the island and those from the mainland. And if you have an interest in joining the arts community, the people are quite welcoming and willing to help you improve your craft.

10. High Availability of Health and Engineering Jobs

Just like in other provinces, health professionals in Newfoundland are in high demand. Also, with the growing oil industry, engineers are also highly sought in the area. So, if you’re qualified in those fields, you’re likely to get a high-paying and fulfilling job in Newfoundland that can allow you to benefit the community as well.

11. High-quality and Affordable Education

For those who want to earn their degrees without breaking the bank or compromising on the standard of education, the province has a great university where you can study from. Memorial University of Newfoundland offers course studies across countless fields. It also has a diverse student body comprising locals, students from other provinces, and approximately 3000 international students. And with it being found in St. John’s, which has a vibrant social scene and many outdoor activities, you can enjoy a balanced school and social life.