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Hows Nova Scotia for retirement

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3.8K views 46 replies 20 participants last post by  mrmatt1972  
#1 ·
The wife and I are tossing around the idea of a move east for retirement. Haven't done a lot of research but there seems to be some small towns in Nova Scotia that are recommended for retirees. I'm hoping I can make out good with my house and get something almost as good for less money there. But who knows what the housing market will be like in about 6 years when my wife retires.
I've read the weather is similar to what we get in Ontario. I've always thought the winters were more frigid with lots of snow.
So if anyone here is from Nova Scotia can you tell me a bit about what its like there?
 
#2 · (Edited)
guitarman2 said:
The wife and I are tossing around the idea of a move east for retirement. Haven't done a lot of research but there seems to be some small towns in Nova Scotia that are recommended for retirees. I'm hoping I can make out good with my house and get something almost as good for less money there. But who knows what the housing market will be like in about 6 years when my wife retires.
I've read the weather is similar to what we get in Ontario. I've always thought the winters were more frigid with lots of snow.
So if anyone here is from Nova Scotia can you tell me a bit about what its like there?
Click to expand...
Miramichi, New Brunswick has become a retirement destination as well.

It was formerly CFB Chatham and Newcastle.

It's a beautiful place and a great place to be if you enjoy fly fishing for salmon.
 
#11 ·
Healthcare would be a consideration. My wife and I live a very healthy life style but when it comes to health, especially in the golden years, you never know.
I have friends that just bought a house on an island up by Gander Newfoundland. You need to take a ferry to get to it. Which from what they said isn't always reliable to get you back and forth very quickly. The island has about 100 year round residents and about another hundred summer residents. I'm picturing potential issues with getting to healthcare in an emergency situation
 
#4 ·
It's warmer in the winter and generally cooler in the summer in Nova Scotia vs Ontario. Halifax area costs will be similar to small town Ontario. Depending on your interests, good places for retirees could be Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Truro, New Glasgow, Antigonish. I've left Cape Breton off the list as the current property values are out of whack with the rest of the province. Six years is a long time from now so YMMV.
 
#5 ·
guitarman2 said:
The wife and I are tossing around the idea of a move east for retirement. Haven't done a lot of research but there seems to be some small towns in Nova Scotia that are recommended for retirees. I'm hoping I can make out good with my house and get something almost as good for less money there. But who knows what the housing market will be like in about 6 years when my wife retires.
I've read the weather is similar to what we get in Ontario. I've always thought the winters were more frigid with lots of snow.
So if anyone here is from Nova Scotia can you tell me a bit about what its like there?
Click to expand...
The winters have more snow, but are less cold. The summers are less hot, and have more rain.
 
#8 ·
Try to avoid the coast if you don't like humidity. A friend lives 30 so km east of Halifax. He's an outdoorsy type, windsurf, mountain bike and such and he complains that the weather is getting worse every year.
 
#13 ·
Lunenburg is very very nice but is always full of tourists which may or may not bother you. I was considering moving back to Yarmouth or Summerside PEI and decided on the Annapolis Valley. We're an hour from Halifax and all the big city convenience but I'm in a very small town that has its charms.
 
#17 ·
Top 5 provinces where its hardest to find a doctor are all Eastern provinces except one western province. Yikes!

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#18 ·
It isn't like any particular province is doing well in that department these days. In BC we are at 20% of the population being without a family doctor and good luck getting to see anyone.
 
#31 ·
I vacationed in PEI several years ago. I was there at the height of tourist season and never found that the tourist attractions were inundated with tourists. PEI seems like it would be a nice place to live. Not sure how cheap the real estate would be though.
 
#34 ·
Image


We've spent a few weeks over the years at Greenfield, on Ponhook Lake NS. Lots of retirees, cottagers, and other rural folk, but a ways from Bridgewater where my Dad's cousin retired. We fell in love with the area and are kind of looking for a reason to return.
 
#35 ·
Why wait 6 years. Halifax is turning into a cube/high rise city. Any cool factor is fading fast. Truro's alright....still a small town with all the box stores you need....centrally located....nice swimming pool. The valley is hot in the summer and cold in the winter....gets all the Fundy storms. Lots of farmers/orchards, so basically good growing season for food. Bear River's cool near the bottom. Wolfville is picturesque college town....so many still wearing masks, even outside...what is it with 'educated' people who get degrees and can't even think. Northumberland Strait, River John, Tatamagouche ...some good breweries walking trails, pretty independent vibe. South Shore....back in the day ex pats and draft dodging Americans....pretty Mahone Bay, Chester etc. I like Liverpool but got hit hard when the pulp and paper mill closed. Eastern Shore, lots of Ontario plates lately moving in, because it's close to the city. Overall, got to drive all over and spend some time checkin' the vibe of every location and what it has, based on what you want. Nova Scotia, a province kind of stuck in the past, which today, is kind of a good thing.
 
#38 ·
HighNoon said:
Bear River's cool near the bottom.
Click to expand...
I'm curious as to what you meant by this statement. Thanks.

I have a friend of many years that moved from a few blocks from me to Bear River a couple of years ago.
Prior to his "final" move, I spent a week at his home in Bear River with him and some members of his family.
I totally enjoyed the experience!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that N.S. is developing a very impressive wine industry...FWIW
 
#36 ·
I can't move anywhere till I retire and I can't do that till my house is paid.
I was watching some youtube videos on properties in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Yikes, the property taxes are horrendous. Its enough to make me pause and wonder if it would be a good move. Although If I can get as nice a house there as I have here in Ontario for half the price then it would be a non factor.
 
#37 ·
guitarman2 said:
I can't move anywhere till I retire and I can't do that till my house is paid.
I was watching some youtube videos on properties in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Yikes, the property taxes are horrendous. Its enough to make me pause and wonder if it would be a good move. Although If I can get as nice a house there as I have here in Ontario for half the price then it would be a non factor.
Click to expand...
That's weird. If you're outside Halifax or a Town (country living) taxes are outrageously low in NS. I think I pay $600 per year. If you use www.viewpoint.ca it will show you the property taxes, even if the property is not for sale.
 
M
#44 ·
My wife and I are now 14 (or less hopefully) years from retirement. Barring unforeseen circumstances we both have good pensions coming to us. We just got the idea of retiring to Tuscany. If you’re looking for affordable with good health care (4th in the world according to a quick search yesterday), great climate, culture and food it is worth a look. Easy to retire there too, just need to prove 38000 EUR Income and that you don’t plan to hold a job.
 
#46 ·
I think being in a situation where I'm not allowed to work might be a deal breaker. I'm not ruling out the possibility of working part time in retirement if I choose to. I like to be busy and I don't know if my retirement plans would keep me busy enough. If I were to stay where I am I might even have the opportunity to stay at my company in a semi retirement capacity. Several at my company have done it. I love working there so it would be ideal.
 
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