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Guide
Essentials
🏙️ City | St. John's is the capital city of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and one of the oldest cities in North America. |
👥 Population | Approximate population of 110,000. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 50 Mbps and upload speed of 10 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 CAD ≈ 0.76 USD. |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and sourced from nearby lakes. |
🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, with Type A/B sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Providers include Bell, Rogers, and TELUS. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks include Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Bank of Montreal (BMO). |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and hostels like HI St. John's Hostel. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short stays. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hi St. John's Hostel offers beds starting at CAD 30 per night. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Downtown St. John's is ideal for tourists due to its vibrant atmosphere. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The historic downtown area is recommended for its co-working spaces and cafés. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Commons Co-Working Space located in downtown, offering desk rentals and meeting rooms. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Jumping Bean Café, known for its quiet atmosphere and free Wi-Fi. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com has regular events for remote workers and entrepreneurs. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | St. John's Expat Community on Facebook hosts regular meet-ups and activities. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is the prevailing choice in St. John's. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike rentals available at St. John's Bicycle Rentals. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is in Cape Spear, approximately a 15-minute drive away. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | PAL Airlines offers regional flights across the area. |
✈️ Top International Airline | Air Canada and WestJet operate international flights. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Access via Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1). |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | St. John's does not have a train service; the bus terminal is located on Kelsey Drive. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metrobus offers a monthly pass for CAD 60. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services run by DRL Coachlines connect to other towns. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Health Sciences Centre, the major hospital for the region. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga on the Beach offers classes with ocean views. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | GoodLife Fitness and Anytime Fitness have multiple locations. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Fold Laundry, a local laundromat with washing and folding services. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | SkipTheDishes and DoorDash are popular services. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Jigg's dinner, a traditional Newfoundland meal. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Sprout, a fully vegan café, offers great plant-based dishes. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Newfoundland Chocolate Company for handmade chocolates. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The St. John's Farmers' Market is perfect for local goods. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local options like Nofrills for groceries. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Superstore offers grocery delivery in the city. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | George Street is known for its lively bars and nightlife. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Quidi Vidi Brewery is famous for its local craft beer. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Rack has a wide selection of wines and events. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various food trucks at local events offering diverse cuisines. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | India Gate for tasty Indian food. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Signal Hill offers stunning views over the city and harbor. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Rooms is a cultural facility showcasing art and history. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Cape Spear Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the province. |
🕍 Religious Sites | Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a prominent historic site. |
🎉 Annual Events | The St. John's International Women's Film Festival happens every October. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | The East End is known for its art galleries and cultural events. |
🎭 Theater Venues | The LSPU Hall is a key venue for performances and productions. |
🛍️ Local Markets | The St. John's Farmers' Market operates on weekends. |
🎼 Music Scene | The Froude Avenue area has several live music venues. |
🎨 Street Art | Downtown St. John's features various murals and installations. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Belly Bites offers classes for learning local cuisine. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Emma Butler Gallery features local artists. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Colonial Building is a National Historic Site. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Celebration of the rich fishing and maritime history of the region. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Gus Harris Park offers beautiful walking trails. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Gros Morne National Park is roughly a 3-hour drive away. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Grand Concourse has a network of trails throughout the city. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cape Spear provides stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Bull Arm is known for seabird watching. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Several parks allow for community fires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | FedEx and Canada Post are available for shipping services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair offers services for Apple products. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club at the College of the North Atlantic. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language Exchange meetups at local cafes. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | St. John's Public Library, located downtown. |
🏘️ Community Centers | The Corner Stone Community Centre offers various activities. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Gaming Lounge on Water Street offers gaming opportunities. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Newfoundland and Labrador Casino offers gaming and entertainment options. |
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 | 15% corporate tax rate. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 25% on dividends. |
🏦 Tax System | Based on worldwide income for residents. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 53.31%. |
🧾 VAT | 15% HST (Harmonized Sales Tax). |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applies with strict regulations. |
🏠 Property Tax | Based on assessed value with municipal tax rates. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 1% on property transactions. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific tax incentives for digital nomads. |