What It’s Like to Live in New Brunswick for Newcomers
There are many reasons to move to New Brunswick (NB). Some immigrants choose to live in New Brunswick to enjoy a more relaxed, healthy, and affordable lifestyle. Others move because of our healthcare and our education systems. Still, others choose New Brunswick to be minutes away from oceans, lakes, rivers, and trails as well as lively urban centers and smaller friendly communities. From 2000 to 2015 approximately 25,620 immigrants decided to live in New Brunswick. With many pathways available to immigrate to New Brunswick, including the New Brunswick PNP (NBPNP), here is was this great Canadian city has to offer!
Top 5 Reasons Immigrants Live in New Brunswick
Why the Locals Love New Brunswick!
- New Brunswick’s Acceptence of World Cultures
New Brunswickers have welcomed newcomers with open arms and celebrate the diverse cultures of newcomers. Farmers markets across the province showcase food from around the world. Most cities have multicultural festivals in the summer months. There are a number of multicultural associations around the province which offer settlement serves to help with the transition to life here.
- New Brunswick’s Education System
The schools, particularly the primary schools, are very community focused with a high level of parental volunteerism. This enhances the already high quality of education. In many primary schools, there is a teacher dedicated to helping children learn English and ease their transition into a Canadian school. Having the whole family involved with their child’s education is a great way to become involved and known within the community. The education system comprises of both public and private institutions. There are nine universities and ten colleges within the province of New Brunswick.
- New Brunswick’s Real Estate
Compared to other provinces, New Brunswick offers some of the least expensive real estate in the country. The average price of a home in New Brunswick in July 2012 was under $160,000. This means, that many families can afford a home and land where in other areas, this is something enjoyed only by the wealthy.
- New Brunswick’s Quality of Life
Quality of life is very important to New Brunswickers. While hard work is valued, people take the time to enjoy family and leisure activities as well. Many local employers support wellness and a proper work-life balance. It is one of the few places where after a day’s work, you can leave the city and within five minutes be kayaking.
- New Brunswick’s Health System
As a new New Brunswicker, you are entitled to basic, universal, government-funded health care. Health care coverage, including most medically required services, is provided by the provincial government. Many employers offer additional coverage to their employees as part of their benefits package.
Cost of Living
New Brunswick is rated one of the most affordable places to live in Canada. With an average house being sold for $175,000, this is a great place for families to relocate. You can expect to pay much less than other areas in Canada for water, gas, and electricity bills. Worried about paying for healthcare? All permanent residents and citizens of New Brunswick are offered free healthcare unless it is a non-essential procedure that does not apply.
Immigrants Living in Moncton
New Brunswick has eight cities that have a cumulative population of 272,174. Moncton is the largest city in New Brunswick and many immigrants chose to live in Moncton. Moncton has a reputation for ranking as one of Canada’s most affordable places for business with an economy that continues to grow. They are also named one of the best places in Canada to buy real estate with a downtown that continues to thrive and develop. Lastly, Moncton has a high quality of life in a welcoming, innovative, bilingual community thats known for being safe and having excellent school systems, opportunities, wonderful recreation options and excellent air and water quality.
Where Newcomers Eat and Drink in Moncton
Far & Wide has consolidated some of the best places to eat and drink in Moncton. Many of these places have been built and run by immigrants. The confluence of immigrants in Saint John has boosted the food scene from just seafood to much more cultured dishes.
Best Restaurants in Moncton, New Brunswick
Best Sushi: Sense of Tokyo – Good sushi is hard to find. Thankfully, there are places like Sense of Tokyo dishing out amazing rolls, good portions, on-point miso soup and perfectly cooked rice. Everything on the menu is great, but try the angry tuna rolls, and salmon teriyaki bento lunch.
Best Thai: Lemongrass – Lemongrass delivers good Thai food at a fair price. Stop in on Wine Wednesday’s for a cheaper and bigger glass of house wine, and though it’s a bit of a cliché, try out their chicken Pad-Thai
Best Indian: Thandi’s – Thandi’s serves up Thai food and Indian food, which normally would be a red flag for a prospective restaurant, but is not the case here. The Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Saag are as good as it gets.
Where Newcomers Shop in Moncton
Since Moncton is the most populated city in New Brunswick you can imagine it has plenty of places for locals to shop. There are six total malls and shopping centers in Moncton. The largest shopping mall in Moncton is the Trinity Drive/Wheeler Park Power Center. Although there is an even bigger shopping center just outside of Moncton called CF Champlain which is the largest shopping centre in New Brunswick. CF Champlain has 140 top retailers and is a must stop for busy families, young professionals and fashion forward teens.
Top Events in Moncton
Frye Festival: Book clubs, roundtables and readings… oh my! Moncton’s Frye Festival is Atlantic Canada’s largest literary happening and a bookworm’s paradise.
Inspire Festival: The streets of Moncton come alive during this street art festival that’s anything but ordinary. For 7 days the cityscape is transformed into a visual wonderland with murals, live art, interactive installations, performances and so much more. The best part? You can even transform into a human canvas during the festival’s Colour Party in the Park.
World Wine & Food Expo: Expand your knowledge of wine or simply head out for an afternoon or evening of fun at this Moncton expo. A full week of wine-related events includes dinners, wine and food seminars, and the ever-popular Grand Tasting Sessions featuring hundreds of wines from around the world. Think your palate is ready?
Evolve Festival: an annual 3-day summer celebration of music, culture, and social awareness. From its start in 2000 as a grassroots music and awareness festival featuring local bands, the festival has grown to showcase world-class performers from around the globe.
Sports to Root for in Moncton
Basketball: The Moncton Magic are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. The home games are played at Moncton Coliseum. The Magic are one of two NBL teams in New Brunswick.
Hockey: The Moncton Wildcats are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They play at the Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Baseball: The Moncton Fisher Cats are a baseball team that plays within the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League which is the highest level of amateur baseball play in New Brunswick. They play their home games at Kinwanis Park in Moncton.
Football: The Moncton Mustangs are a football team that plays in the Maritime Football League (MFL). They play at the Rocky Stone Field in Moncton. The Mustangs won the most 2018 championship.
Lacrosse: The Moncton Mavericks are amateur lacrosse team that plays in the ECJLL. The Mavericks play their home games at the Superior Propane Centre.
Immigrants Living in Saint John
Saint John is the second largest city in New Brunswick an immigrants from different countries, now call it their home. Saint Johns is a very industrialized city which has led to more job opportunities for those in the city. The city’s growth committee has made it appoint to attract immigrants by helping immigrants become a custom to the community. You can actually google “cheap places to live in Canada” and Saint John will come up as an option! There are many reasons why immigrants have chose Saint John as their home in New Brunswick.
Where Newcomers Eat and Drink in Saint John
Best Sushi: Sense of Tokyo – Good sushi is hard to find. Thankfully, there are places like Sense of Tokyo dishing out amazing rolls, good portions, on-point miso soup and perfectly cooked rice. Everything on the menu is great, but try the angry tuna rolls, and salmon teriyaki bento lunch.
Best Thai: Lemongrass – Lemongrass delivers good Thai food at a fair price. Stop in on Wine Wednesday’s for a cheaper and bigger glass of house wine, and though it’s a bit of a cliché, try out their chicken Pad-Thai
Best Indian: Thandi’s – Thandi’s serves up Thai food and Indian food, which normally would be a red flag for a prospective restaurant, but is not the case here. The Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Saag are as good as it gets.
Local’s Favourite: East Coast Bistro – Everyone in Saint John recommends the East Coast Bistro for its great meals featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Like Italian by Night, the whole menu is fantastic, but the oysters and Purple Cabbage and Peanut Salad are a great lead before Steak & Frites.
Where Newcomers Shop in Saint John
Shopping in Saint John’s is easy for newcomers because there are so many options for them. Saint Johns is home to the Lancaster Mall, McAllister Place, and Brunswick Square. All of the shopping centers have several department stores, international owned clothing stores, home shopping, grocery shopping, etc.
Top Events in Saint John
Buskers on the Bay Festival: If you want street theatre at its best, you’ll want to head to Saint John this summer for the Buskers on the Bay Festival. Five days and nights of side-splitting comedy and miraculous feats are waiting for you.
Area 506 Festival: Area 506 returns to celebrate the incredible diversity of New Brunswick multi-cultural associations, artisans, makers, and brands. Join us on Long Wharf in Saint John to explore our shipping container village, have lunch in food truck alley, and enjoy an incredible lineup of musical talent from across the Country.
Sports to Root for in Moncton
There are many sport organizations in the Greater Saint John area such as: Archery, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Baton Twirling, Boxing, Canoeing & Kayaking, Curling, Cricket, Cycling, Diving, Fencing, Figure Skating, Frisbee, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Lacrosse, Rowing, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, etc.
Hockey: The only professional sport team in Saint John is the Saint John Sea Dogs. The SEa Dogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Are you interested in living in New Brunswick?
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
