Best Places to Live in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province in Canada known for its natural beauty, friendly people, and rich history. The province is home to many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

The Newfoundland and Labrador population is rising due to an increase in newcomers experiencing the splendor of the Atlantic Canadian province. The cities of Newfoundland and Labrador are imbued with a quaint lifestyle that attracts a lot of immigrants.

The cities of Newfoundland and Labrador, as a result of the increased immigration to the province, have begun to swell in size along with their economies to accommodate the growing population. Here are a few interesting facts about Newfoundland and Labrador to give you an idea of what life is like there:

If you want to make these idyllic islands your new home here is a comprehensive guide about the best places to live in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Top 10 Best Places to Live in Newfoundland and Labrador

top ten best places to live in NL

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province full of beautiful cities and towns. Here are 10 places considered the best places to live in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Trinity

Trinity is a historic town on the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador. The town is known for its picturesque views, historic buildings, and cultural experiences. Trinity is a great place to live if you enjoy the outdoors, surrounded by beautiful hiking trails and scenic vistas.

Trinity’s defensible harbor, abundant room for trading and commercial ships and shores well suited for outbuildings, wharves, and fish flakes, makes it ideal for early migratory fishing. The preservation of Trinity’s built and cultural heritage makes it the most notable “heritage community” in Newfoundland and Labrador.

St. John's

St. John's is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador and one of North America's oldest cities. The city is known for its colorful houses, vibrant nightlife, and friendly people. St. John's is a great place to live if you enjoy a bustling city atmosphere.

The city now dominates Newfoundland and Labrador's economic and cultural life. It is also the province's commercial and industrial center, a significant ocean port, and the base for the provincial fishing fleet. It is the easternmost terminus for the Trans-Canada Highway and several other national airlines.

Its major industries include shipbuilding, fish processing, tanning, brewing, and the manufacture of clothing, hardware, marine engines, paint, and furniture.

Paradise

Paradise is located just outside of St. John's. The town is popularly known for having a family-friendly atmosphere, proximity to nature, and affordable housing. Paradise is a great place to live if you want proximity to the city but enjoy a small-town feel.

Located minutes from St. John's, paradise offers urban and community living, providing easy access to work, recreational and cultural attractions, hospitals, shopping, and educational institutions.

Paradise has five schools, community centers, parks, sports facilities, and walking trails. Extracurricular activities include sports, intellectual and artistic pursuits.

Mount Pearl

Mount Pearl is located just outside of St. John's. The city is known for affordable housing, a family-friendly atmosphere, and great schools.

Industry leaders in sectors like oil and gas, technology, transportation, manufacturing, craft, and retail have their provincial headquarters in Mount Pearl.

If you choose to settle in Mount Pearl, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and explore walking trails stretching approximately 60 kilometers. The over 50 playgrounds throughout the city are linked to the town's scenic walking trails.

Conception Bay South

Conception Bay South is located on the eastern coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. It has beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, and hiking trails. The town is great for immigrants seeking a peaceful lifestyle close to nature.

Conception Bay South has a growing business community. The town's residential growth makes it a great place to live and do business. The town’s varied coastline offers spectacular views of Kelly’s Island, Bell Island, and Little Bell Island.

Conception Bay South is a popular destination with divers and sailors, with Foxtrap Marina and the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club as prime examples.

Grand Falls-Windsor

Grand Falls-Windsor is in central Newfoundland and Labrador. The town has beautiful scenery, a strong community and friendly people. The town is a great place to live if you want to settle in a close-knit community.

Grand Falls developed a newsprint and pulp mill in 1909. The Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company built it. The large hydroelectric plant at the falls gives the town its name.

Next to Windsor is the region's commercial and fishing (salmon and trout) center. Moose and caribou hunting is a vital source of meat supply in the region.

Corner Brook

Corner Brook is located on Newfoundland and Labrador’s west coast. The city is popularly known for its stunning scenery, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities. If you enjoy a mix of city and nature, Corner Brook is a great place to live.

Corner Brook is the center of lumbering, salmon-fishing, mink-farming region, and limestone quarrying. Along with pulp and newsprint production, there are cement and gypsum plants, furniture factories, and iron foundries.

Labrador City

Labrador City is located in western Labrador. The town is known for its mining industry, outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is a great place to live for people who enjoy a quiet lifestyle connected to nature.

Developed in the 1950s as a planned community to serve the surrounding mining region (Carol Lake), Labrador City is one of the largest Canadian producers of iron ore concentrates and pellets.

The town has an airport and rail connections to Schefferville, Quebec, and Sept-Îles, Quebec, the ore transshipment port, 320 km from the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.

Torbay

Torbay is a little bit outside of St. John's. Torbay has a beautiful coastline, outdoor activities, and hiking trails. Torbay boasts a sound economic base, a higher-than-average education level, and high employment opportunities.

With over seventy businesses, numerous clubs and organizations, and two schools, Torbay is the second-fastest growing municipality in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Portugal Cove-St. Philip's

Portugal Cove-St. Philip's is located outside of St. John's. It is known for its hiking trails, outdoor activities, and beautiful coastline. Positioned on one of the most easterly points on the North American continent, should you choose to live in Portugal Cove-St Philips, you will be able to drink in the first sunrise of North America every day.

The town is surrounded by unspoiled oceans and craggy coastlines where whales frolic in the frothy seas, and birds swoop to rest on the picturesque shores.

How to Move to Newfoundland and Labrador

After making the decision to move to Newfoundland and Labrador and selecting a place that is to your liking, then next thing you must do is apply. There are multiple Canada immigration visa pathways that you can use to apply to immigrate to Canada. Here are some that can be used to apply to move to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Express Entry System

The Express Entry system is a program that allows skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. The program is designed to help fill gaps in the Canadian labor market and attract skilled workers worldwide. There are three different programs under the Express Entry system:

To be eligible for the Express Entry system, you must meet certain requirements, such as education, work experience, and language proficiency.

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Programs

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Programs (NLPNPs) are programs that allow provinces and territories in Canada to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on their specific labor market needs.

If you want to move to Newfoundland and Labrador, there are several specific PNP categories that you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through.

We recommend taking a look at the in-demand occupations in the province to find if your occupations skills and experience are desired in the province's labor market.

There are several different categories under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP):

Each PNP category has its own specific requirements and eligibility criteria.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of Canada's Atlantic provinces, therefore you can apply for permanent residency using the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). You must have a valid job offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic provinces in order to be deemed eligible to apply. Furthermore, To immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador via this program, you must:

Be a graduate of a recognized post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI) in Atlantic Canada, or a skilled worker
Live abroad or be a temporary resident of Canada

Homecare Provider Pilots

Home support workers help seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals in rehabilitation by providing personal care and companionship during recovery, incapacitation, and family disruption. Duties include but are not limited to preparing meals, feeding, bathing, changing dressings, administering medications, and other routine housekeeping duties.

Here is a breakdown of the eligibility requirements and step-by-step instructions on how to apply for Homecare Provider Pilots.

Work Permits

If you are not eligible for permanent residency in Canada, you may be able to obtain a work permit. A work permit allows you to work in Canada for a specific period. There are primarily two types of work permits, including:

Open work permits
Employer-specific work permits

The most commonly used work permit immigration visa programs include:

Learn more about Canada’s work permits.

IEC Working Holiday Visa Program

The IEC Working Holiday Visa Program is a program that allows young people from certain countries to work and travel in Canada for up to two years. To be eligible for the program, you must be between 18 and 35 and hold a valid passport from a participating country.

Find out more about the IEC Working Holiday Visa.

What Newfoundland and Labrador Has to Offer You

what NL Has to offer you

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province full of natural beauty, friendly people, and rich history. The province has stunning landscapes, beautiful hiking trails, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Whether you are interested in outdoor activities, cultural experiences, or a quiet lifestyle close to nature, Newfoundland and Labrador has something to offer you.

Attractive and Inviting Natural Environments

Newfoundland and Labrador cities and towns are famously known for their commanding and scenic views of the North Atlantic Ocean. The rustic marine beauty of the coastline is a popular destination for many local and foreign holidaymakers. If you have an adventurous spirit, the rugged shores of Newfoundland and Labrador are the perfect place for you to take part in activities you have never done before.

Vibrant, Culturally Diverse Communities

Newfoundland and Labrador are known for having welcoming communities with many friendly residents. Newfoundland and Labrador are rich in cultural diversity and a sense of belonging within their communities which is among the strongest in the country.

High Standard Of Living

Newfoundland and Labrador have a high standard of living commensurate to the rest of Canada. Permanent residents and citizens in the province have universal access to quality healthcare, education, affordable housing, and abundant employment opportunities.

According to livingcost.com, the average cost of living in Newfoundland and Labrador is 1 882,47 CAD per month, a figure that is 1.21 times less expensive than the Canadian average. The average base salary after taxes in the province is 3 669,41 CAD according to livingcost.com. This is enough to cover living expenses for 1. 9 months.

Here is a breakdown of the monthly costs of living in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Abundant Employment Opportunities

Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the employment rates in Canada. According to the Canadian Job Bank, the rate of growth of employment in the province over the past year is 5.7%, a statistic that is the second highest among all Canadian provinces.

Find out more about the economic opportunities that await you in NL.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you are looking for a bustling city atmosphere or a peaceful lifestyle close to nature, the province has something to offer you.

With the different immigration programs available and the friendly people you will meet, relocating to Newfoundland and Labrador may be the best decision you ever make.

To help you get started on your journey to Newfoundland and Labrador, we recommend consulting with a certified immigration professional such as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

FAQs

What is the Most Interesting Place to live in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Newfoundland and Labrador is full of interesting places to live, but the most interesting place will depend on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a bustling city lifestyle, then St. John's is the place for you.

If you prefer a quieter suburban lifestyle, then Paradise or Mount Pearl may be more your speed. If you want to be close to nature, then Corner Brook or Grand Falls Windsor may be the perfect fit.

St. John's
Mount Pearl
Corner Brook

What is Newfoundland and Labrador's Most affordable City or Town?

Some of the most affordable cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador include:

Grand Falls-Windsor
Conception Bay South
Torbay