Top Maritime Cities to Live in Canada

Canada is renowned for its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and high quality of life. Among its many attractions, the country's maritime cities stand out as some of the best places to live in Canada. With their picturesque coastal views, friendly communities, and excellent amenities, these cities offer a unique and fulfilling lifestyle.

Ready to find out which maritime cities in Canada are the best to settle in? Here are the top maritime cities to live in Canada!

Halifax, Nova Scotia

3 of the top maritime cities to live in canada

Known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and stunning waterfront, Halifax, as the leading city in Nova Scotia, seamlessly blends an old small-town feel with the new, bustling energy of a large modern city.

Housing in Halifax

With an officially recorded population of 439,819 according to Statistics Canada, the city offers various housing options to suit various preferences and budgets.

The city's real estate market is known for its stability, with the average home price of 663,456,00 CAD, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), remaining relatively unchanged for the past few years.

If you’re looking to rent an apartment either alone or with your family, we recommend choosing an apartment outside the city as they are generally more affordable, as reflected below according to numbeo.com.

Type of Apartment Rent Per Month (CAD)
Apartment (1 bedroom) in the City Centre 1,839.08
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside the City Centre 1,516.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the City Centre 3,062.78
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside the City Centre 2,421.96

Job Opportunities in Halifax

Halifax, as one of the most populous cities in Maritime Canada, has one of the largest and most varied urban economies in the region. Halifax's labor market can be outlined as follows:

Aerospace

The defense and commercial aerospace sector in Nova Scotia is located almost entirely in Halifax. Halifax’s aerospace industry provides approximately 6,000 jobs.

Health Care

Health care is a growing sector, and Halifax is seeing a lot of that growth. Halifax has 31,000 healthcare jobs alone, with Halifax Health as the largest, Nova Scotia’s provincial health department. In-demand health occupations in Halifax include Nurse Aids, Registered Nurses, and Registered Psychiatric Nurses.

Skilled Trades

Skilled trades work in Halifax includes jobs such as manufacturing and air conditioning repair. Transport truck drivers, construction trades helpers and laborers, and heavy equipment operators are some of the most in-demand skilled trades occupations in Halifax.

Digital Industries

Information and communication technology has a large presence in Halifax’s skilled labor market, with significant world-leading ICT companies conducting operations in the city. Some of the largest IT companies in Halifax include Lockheed Martin, Cisco, and HB Studios.

Lifestyle in Halifax

Halifax is a diverse community, with population growth being driven by newcomers to the city. The city's cultural mosaic has been evolving, and there are many restaurants, bars, and pubs offering a range of cuisines. Examples include the Good Robot Brewing Co., Pacifico Nightclub and The Split Crow.

Halifax is surrounded by the ocean and beaches, and there are many natural landscapes to explore, such as Point Pleasant Park, McNabs and Lawlor Island Provincial Park, and Crystal Crescent Beac.

Moncton, New Brunswick

Nestled along the Petitcodiac River, Moncton is a vibrant city that offers a high standard of living and a welcoming community.

Housing in Moncton

The city's housing market is the most diverse in New Brunswick, with options ranging from affordable apartments to spacious family homes.

Moncton's rent and real estate prices and are relatively affordable compared to larger coastal cities like Vancouver or Halifax, making it an attractive destination for those seeking affordable housing options. Rent per month and average home prices in Canada’s coastal cities, according to numbeo.com and CREA, are as follows:

Canadian Coastal Cities Average Home Price (CAD) Rent Per Month for 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Center (CAD)
Vancouver 1,599,862.44 5,031.02
Halifax 663,456.00 3,072.00
Moncton 444,020.80 2,094.23

Job Opportunities in Moncton

Moncton is New Brunswick’s largest and fastest-growing city. Job opportunities in Moncton can be found in:

Financial Services

The RBC Royal Bank and Tangerine are among the many financial heavyweights flocking to Moncton’s strategic location, talented workforce, and inexpensive cost of doing business.

Information and Communications Technology

With niches in gaming technologies and animation, financial technologies, and cyber security, Moncton’s tech-savvy economy has continued to grow within the niche sectors of technologies and animation, financial technologies, and cyber security.

Business Process Outsourcing

Bringing your business to Moncton is a smart move as the city has one of the lowest cost-of-doing-business environments in North America and Europe, particularly for professional services. Moncton offers Business Processing Services (BPO) in Engineering services, marketing solutions, infrastructure development firms, and real estate expertise.

Retail Sector

The Greater Moncton employs over 20,000 people working in retail-related fields. This has created an impressive economy of scale that lowers the training costs for retail workers and provides numerous opportunities for workers in the sector. Common in-demand occupations in Moncton include Retail sales supervisors, Software engineers and designers, and Human resources professionals.

Lifestyle in Moncton

Moncton is surrounded by natural beauty, including the Petitcodiac River, which is good for surfing, and its tidal bore is regarded as one of the longest surf waves on the North American continent, presenting an ideal opportunity for surfers.

Cycling is also a favorite pastime in the communities that make up the city. Moncton is a much more relaxing place to live than a big city like Toronto, which makes it an ideal place to live if you’re looking for a balanced lifestyle. Some must-see attractions in Monction include Centennial Park, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, and Moncton Coliseum.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, the capital city of Prince Edward Island, exudes charm and beauty. With its historic architecture, quaint streets, and breathtaking waterfront, the city offers a unique and idyllic setting.

Housing in Charlottetown

Charlottetown's housing market is diverse, with options ranging from historic homes in the downtown core to modern developments in the outskirts. The city's rental prices are generally more affordable than other capital cities in Atlantic Canada, such as Fredericton and Halifax, as reflected below. Information received from numbeo.com.

Canada Atlantic Capital Cities City Rent Per Month in CAD (1 bedroom) City Rent Per Month in CAD (3 bedrooms)
Halifax 1,839.08 3,062.78
Fredericton 1,335.00 1,918.75
Charlottetown 1,270.00 1,821.43

Job Opportunities in Charlottetown

Over half of Charlottetown's job opportunities are populated in:

  • Government service,
  • Retail trade,
  • Hospitality industry,
  • Health and social service, and
  • Education.

The major economic activities in the city include agriculture, tourism, and fisheries. In-demand occupations in Charlottetown include industrial butchers and meat cutters, material handlers, and laborers in processing, manufacturing, and utilities.

Lifestyle in Charlottetown

Charlottetown makes the ideal home base for going to the beach, with more than 800 km of pristine beachfront surrounding the city. For a restorative health experience, you can visit Charlottetown’s yoga studios like Modo Yoga and the Charlottetown Yoga Space, as well as healthy & beauty spas like Pure Spa and Grand Senses.

Charlottetown holds the Canadian Heritage designation of ‘Cultural Capital of Canada’ and offers a myriad of cultural experiences to enjoy, from world-class theatrical and musical performances such as Schooner Sessions, Live Music at Salt & Sol and Ceilidh In The City.

How Can I Immigrate to The Top 3 Maritime Cities in Canada?

how can i immigrate to canada's top maritime cities

If you are considering a move to one of Canada's top maritime cities, several immigration programs can help you make your dream a reality. Here are some of the options available:

Express Entry System (FSWP, FSTP, CEC)

For a relatively quick permanent residency immigration application process, you can apply for the Express Entry system. The Express Entry system is a popular pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. It consists of three main programs that include the:

Find out more about the Express Entry system.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs)

If you want to move to a specific province or territory in Canada, you can apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). PNPs enable provinces and territories in Canada to nominate you for permanent residency, provided you have the skills and experience needed to contribute to the local labor market and regional economy.

Find out more about Provincial Nominee Programs.

Start-up Visa

If you have a viable business idea and the support of a designated organization in Canada, you may be eligible for the Start-up Visa program. This program aims to attract innovative entrepreneurs who can contribute to the Canadian economy by creating long-term employment opportunities.

Learn more about Canada’s Start-up Visa program.

Self-Employed Program

If you have experience in cultural or athletic activity and can make a significant contribution to the Canadian arts or sports scene, you can apply for the Self-Employed Program. The Self-employed is designed to attract foreign workers who add to Canada’s artistic and athletic achievements.

Find out more about the Self-Employed program.

Pilot Programs

Canada also offers several pilot programs that provide opportunities for individuals with specific skills or experience. This includes the:

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot

You can apply for The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) if you’re an international skilled worker looking to live and work in Canada’s Atlantic provinces. : The AIP aims to attract individuals who can fulfill in-demand jobs and contribute to the provincial economies of:

  • Nova Scotia,
  • Newfoundland and Labrador,
  • New Brunswick, and
  • Prince Edward Island.

Learn more about the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP).

Agri-Food Pilot (AFP)

If you’re a skilled agricultural worker, the Agri-Food Pilot (AFP) is a great way to gain a permanent residency foothold in the agriculture and food processing sectors of Moncton, Charlottetown, and Halifax. The AFP is for workers who can fill in-demand job vacancies in Canada’s primary agricultural and agri-food processing sectors.

Find out more about the Agri-food Pilot.

Home and Child Care Provider Pilot

As a home support worker or child caregiver, you can apply for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot (HCCPP) and Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP). The HCCPP and HSWP are designed to assist Canadian families that need caregiving assistance.

Find out more about the Home and Childcare Provider Pilots.

FAQs

FAQs

What is the Difference Between Maritime Canada and Atlantic Canada?

The Maritime Provinces, also known as the Maritimes, are a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Atlantic Canada is a region in Eastern Canada comprised of the same provinces as Maritime Canada with the addition of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Which City is the Largest in the Maritimes?

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is the largest city in the Maritimes.