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Category: <span>Moving to Nova Scotia</span>
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Find a Nova Scotia REALTOR®

Author: Keith Kucharski
Categories: Buying in Nova Scotia,Choosing a REALTOR,Moving to Nova Scotia

Do you need to find a Nova Scotia REALTOR®? When we were looking to buy land in Nova Scotia more than a decade ago, we didn’t use a REALTOR® because we believed our search parameters were too broad. After all, we didn’t know where we wanted to buy land. The South Shore is so beautiful, but so is the Valley. We have family on the Eastern Shore, and friends up by Antigonish. And my wife was born and raised just outside Dartmouth, so that seemed like a possibility too.

We also didn’t know if we wanted to buy bare land, or something with a house. Did we want a fixer upper? Was being on water important? We were all over the place, and didn’t think a REALTOR® could help us.

While we did eventually find a place to buy in the Valley, we could have saved ourselves many headaches by using the services of a REALTOR® to help us search, and in the buying process.

Finding a regional Nova Scotia REALTOR®

While a rare few agents cover the whole province, most will serve a specific region. Ideally, you’ll have a first-choice region, and connect with an agent in that area. They can set you up with a custom search that delivers listings to you by email according to any parameters you set. You can search for bare land, a specific square footage, or a certain region, etc. The emails can come daily, three times a week, etc.

Once you’ve built a relationship with an agent, if you change your mind and decide to get serious about property that isn’t in that region, they can refer you to a REALTOR® they know and trust that does serve that area. Good REALTOR® build strong relationships with other agents, and your agent will ensure you’re in good hands. And if you are working with more than one agent to cover multiple areas, just be sure to let them each know. They’ll appreciate it!

Serving the Annapolis Valley to the South Shore

As a Nova Scotia REALTOR®, I live roughly halfway between the Annapolis Valley and the South Shore. That puts me in the unique position of being able to serve two of the most picturesque areas of this province. If you’re looking in that area, you can certainly reach out and work with me. I’ve produced a number of guides available here you might find helpful as a buyer.

If you’re considering other areas, I can refer you to someone who will provide you with the care and attention you need. After all, we want to avoid you ever having to say, “I regret moving to Nova Scotia.”

*This post is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers already under contract with a brokerage.*

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Should I move to Nova Scotia?

Author: Keith Kucharski
Categories: Annapolis Valley,Buying in Nova Scotia,Moving to Nova Scotia

Should you move to Nova Scotia? Here are some of the reasons why the answer might be yes.

Affordable housing

Nova Scotia housing prices were once the envy of the nation. “But there are no jobs!” people used to complain, and certainly a depressed job market was an east coast reality.

However, Nova Scotia is booming, and with remote work finally gaining by leaps and bounds, living in Nova Scotia but working for a remote company is a reality for many.

Though increased demand has driven up the cost of housing and home prices in Nova Scotia are rising faster than nearly anywhere else in the country, homes here are still affordable compared to other areas. We were able to buy an acreage on a lake for a fraction of the price of our suburban home in Alberta. And while our place needed significant repairs (many older Nova Scotia homes do), it was definitely the right decision for us.

Lakefront and oceanside fun

Living near the ocean, “lowers stress and anxiety, increasing an overall sense of well-being and happiness, a lower heart and breathing rate, and safe, better workouts. Aquatic therapists are increasingly looking to the water to help treat and manage PTSD, addiction, anxiety disorders, autism, and more,” says Dr. Wallace J. Nichols in his book Blue Mind.

Whether you choose Halifax, a suburb, a smaller regional centre, or a place out in the sticks, you’re never more than 30 minutes from the ocean, and usually less from a lake. It’s easy to plan a last-minute beach day or get out for a paddle or go fishing when the mood strikes, without having to plan a multi-day trip. This province is absolutely spectacular, with stunning shorelines, charming scenery, and the most incredible fall foliage you’ll ever see.

Friendly and welcoming people

While we had family in Nova Scotia (my wife was born and raised in Cole Harbour), we didn’t know anyone in the area of the Annapolis Valley that we moved to. However, East Coasters are a friendly bunch (as long as you don’t complain too much about the things we like, such as stores closing on holidays, or the slower pace of life). Even in the tiniest communities, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to make friends and connections in these close-knit communities. Community suppers, usually held in schools, church basements, and fire halls, are a tradition in Nova Scotia that bring neighbours together to raise funds for projects while sharing delicious, home-cooked food. Volunteering for the local fire department, or a shore clean-up is a sure-fire way to make friends fast.

A thriving cultural scene

Nova Scotia is a musical place, and there is live music everywhere, all the time. And the festivals? There are literally thousands throughout the province all year long (our favourites are the South Shore Lobster Crawl and the Apple Blossom Festival). Keep in mind that the further you buy from Halifax, the less sophisticated or frequent the events and restaurants will be. Each of Nova Scotia’s 7 distinct regions is different, and where one area might have vineyards and five-star restaurants, another might feature golf courses and food trucks.

Are there any downsides to moving to Nova Scotia?

Yes, there definitely are some reasons not to move to Nova Scotia. In fact, there’s enough that I wrote an entire post about it. Check out I Regret Moving to Nova Scotia to read some of the reasons why people might decide against moving to Nova Scotia. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to me to discuss why you’re considering moving here and how I can help, or download my free Guide to Buying a Home in Nova Scotia for Out of Province Buyers.

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“I regret moving to Nova Scotia!”

Author: Keith Kucharski
Categories: Moving to Nova Scotia

Are you considering moving to Nova Scotia, and worried you’ll someday say, “I regret moving to Nova Scotia”? Fear not! With careful consideration and lots of advance planning, you can reduce the odds that you’ll regret moving to Nova Scotia.

Things to think about before you start looking for property in Nova Scotia

Many city dwellers dream of moving to the country to raise chickens and live off the land, or just finding a place where they can afford to buy, not rent.

If you’re used to living in a big city, you might want to continue living somewhere you can easily drive to the best restaurants or enjoy the nightlife. Think twice about buying in Digby if you’re looking for wild Saturday nights or high-end shopping options! On the other hand, immersing yourself in rural living might be just what you’re looking for.

A local REALTOR® can help you understand exactly what the community you’re considering is like. While I specialize in the Annapolis Valley and South Shore region, I can refer you to Realtors in the Halifax region or other areas of Nova Scotia to find exactly the right property for you.

Rural living realities

If you’re wanting to make a change and live somewhere rural, it’s important to understand the realities of rural living. If you make a life-changing move without understanding what life is really like in your new province, you might regret it. Here are a few challenges unique to Nova Scotia:

  • Locally owned stores that close at 5pm on the dot (or earlier if the owner has an appointment or something more pressing). More prevalent in the rural areas. 
  • Limited services, such as shopping or extracurricular activities for kids, in the rural areas. Rural schools might not have certain clubs or teams, while community clubs like cheer, gymnastics, or climbing could be a 90-minute drive away. Even in Halifax, specialty schools are few and far between.
  • Health care is challenging—more than 1 in 10 Nova Scotians don’t have a family doctor, most communities do not have walk-in clinics, and most rural hospitals aren’t open overnight. (If you’ve moved already, be sure to get on the Need a Family Practice Registry asap.)
  • Friends will be far-flung—you’ll spend a lot of time driving! It can be difficult to make new friends (but I have a whole blog post with tips on how to build community.)
  • Nova Scotia has some incredible restaurants, but in the rural areas, you might not have access to the kind of restaurants your family enjoys. And forget Uber Eats or even basic pizza delivery in many rural areas.
  • Do you work remotely, stream music or videos, or download quite a bit? Some areas of Nova Scotia have poor Internet, and some rural areas have no Internet at all. While Develop Nova Scotia’s Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative is working to bring high-speed Internet to 95%+ of the province, some areas are lagging. Your Realtor can help you ensure the property you’re considering has the Internet access you need.
  • While housing on average is less expensive than in many other provinces, there are a number of things in Nova Scotia that are much more expensive than in other provinces. Nova Scotia has high income tax rates, high property taxes, a high sales tax, and high service fees for things like registering your vehicle. Groceries are typically higher overall and even higher in rural areas than in Halifax.

People are still moving to Nova Scotia

Despite the many reasons NOT to move to Nova Scotia—there are so many great reasons to move to our gorgeous province! In fact, people are flocking to Nova Scotia because they believe the many benefits outweigh the downsides. Here are just a few reasons the locals love it here, and you might too.

  • Wouldn’t you love to be near the ocean, or live lakeside? Affectionately nicknamed “Canada’s ocean playground,” Nova Scotia’s coastline stretches 13,300 kilometres and the province boasts more than 1,000 lakes.
  • If you’re currently living somewhere like Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal, you’ll find your dollar goes much further for housing, specifically. 
  • If you love food and entertainment, Halifax has a vibrant nightlife and bustling arts scene.
  • Prefer the quiet? A rural area or quaint rural town might be the best bet for you. You can create a large garden, raise backyard chickens or goats, or just enjoy the peace and quiet of fewer neighbours, further away. 
  • While you might face a little resistance if you complain about rural living and tell your new neighbours, “Back in Ontario, we did it this way,” generally East Coasters have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming.
  • If you like local food, you’ll love the easily accessible farmers’ markets and side of the road fresh fruit and vegetable stalls with their honour payment system.
  • While there’s traffic in the city and surrounding area, if you move further out you’ll find traffic is nearly non-existent. Quiet country roads are the norm.
  • The job market is better than it’s ever been, and remote work is a dream from such a gorgeous place. 
  • Some services and activities are less expensive than in larger centres, such as sports or athletic fees, tradespeople, and entertainment. 

Not convinced? Check out Should I move to Nova Scotia? for more reasons why we love it here. 

Let’s connect! If you’re considering buying or selling property in Nova Scotia, I’m happy to chat, with no obligation. If you’d rather call or text, you can reach me at (902) 349-1022.

keith@keithkucharski.com

© 2024 Keith Kucharski, RE/MAX REALTOR®. All rights reserved.