Halifax, Canada 🇨🇦
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, located on the east coast of Canada, known for its maritime history and vibrant waterfront. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population of 450,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 75 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 CAD ≈ 0.74 USD, 1 USD ≈ 1.36 CAD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Rogers, Bell, and Telus. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common services include Scotiabank and RBC; digital options like Wise and Revolut are also popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb to local apartments; average rent for a 1-bedroom in downtown is CAD 1,800/month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | HI Halifax Hostel offers dorms starting at CAD 35/night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Fundy Complex offers modern coworking spaces with prices starting at CAD 150/month. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Wooden Monkey offers a cozy atmosphere with great coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events are frequently organized by Startup Halifax and Halifax Chamber of Commerce. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Halifax Expats Facebook group organizes meetups and social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft operate efficiently in Halifax. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Halifax Transit offers bike racks on buses, plus e-scooter rentals from Lime. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lawrencetown Beach is popular for surfers, about 30 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Canada is the main regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | WestJet and Air Canada offer extensive international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Highway 102 provides primary access to the rest of Nova Scotia. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Halifax Transit terminal serves buses and ferries within the city. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly pass for Halifax Transit is CAD 78. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Via Rail operates train services to cities like Truro and Sydney. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | The QEII Health Sciences Centre is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Halifax Yoga offers a range of classes across the city. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Good Life Fitness has several locations in Halifax. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin laundries are available, with Suds & Duds being a popular choice. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | SkipTheDishes and UberEats are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Don't miss trying the donair, a local specialty. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Dirt Cow offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Old Apothecary Bakery is known for its delightful pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market provides fresh local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Canadian retailers like Amazon and Best Buy operate extensively. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart provides grocery delivery services in Halifax. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Argyle Street area is famous for its bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Alexander Keith's Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bistro le Coq serves a fine selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Halifax Food Truck Festival features a variety of food trucks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pavia Gallery serves excellent Italian food. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the historic Citadel Hill and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia highlights local arts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is a famed historical event. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Paul's Church is the oldest building of worship in Halifax. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Halifax International Busker Festival attracts performers every August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The North End is known for its vibrant cultural scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Neptune Theatre presents a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Halifax Seaport Farmers Market offers local products and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Carleton is a popular venue for live music and performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The murals in the North End showcase local talent. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Explore cooking classes at the Halifax Seaport Market. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Anna Leonowens Gallery features emerging artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Town Clock and Province House are iconic structures. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Halifax is known for its rich maritime history and cultural diversity. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Point Pleasant Park offers scenic walking and jogging paths. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Kejimkujik National Park is about 2 hours’ drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Halifax waterfront boardwalk stretches for several kilometers. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Georges Island provides stunning views of the harbor. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The McNabs Island Provincial Park is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beaches like Lawrencetown allow bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Canada Post offers reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit provides various tech repair services across the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Nova Scotia hosts public play sessions. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Lingua Language Training offers various classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Halifax Public Libraries are great for studying and reading. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Halifax Centre for the Arts provides community programming. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Gaming Lounge offers gaming and recreational activities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Nova Scotia is the main gaming venue. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 140,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CAD 112,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 192,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CAD 150,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CAD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CAD 240,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CAD 2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CAD 184,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The standard corporate tax rate is 15%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The tax rate on dividends is 25%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 54%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 15%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Canada has stringent CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property taxes are based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Land Transfer Tax is typically 1.5% of the purchase price. |