Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
Halifax is the commercial hub of the province, where the majority of the population lives, works and plays.
You’ll find universities, hospitals, government services and a naval base — all of them busy and bustling places. The key living areas include Halifax Peninsula, Dartmouth and Bedford. Surrounding neighbourhoods can be found not far beyond the core, including Cole Harbour, Forest Hills, Sackville, Hammonds Plains, West Bedford and many more.
Downtown Halifax buzzes with a lively atmosphere year-round, but especially in summer. City planners have created lively hubs of activity with pedestrian-friendly areas with parks, walkways, art installations and green spaces. Nightlife is lively too, fueled by students, tourists and visiting military personnel. Pre-Covid (and, we hope, coming back soon) the city comes alive with concerts, food festivals, theatre and street parties. Downtown Dartmouth is becoming a destination for foodies, with a growing craft-beer scene and more food-and-drink spots opening all the time. No question, this is a neighbourhood on the rise.
South Shore
Popular destinations on the south shore include Chester, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, and Liverpool — all offering generous doses of culture along with beaches, hiking trails and a satisfyingly slower pace of life. These can all be found within a couple of hours of downtown Halifax. Chester’s reputation is built upon its coveted status as a sailing destination, with a series of coastal islands, inlets and protected nature reserves. The popular community seaside golf course has one of the best canteens in the province. Lunenburg beckons with walking and biking trails, outstanding fishing, and an ever-growing culinary scene. Mahone Bay and Liverpool encapsulate centuries of ocean lore, picturesque historical centres, and abundant natural attractions.
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The entire coastline of the Atlantic totals more than 43,000 kilometres. You can enjoy an infinite variety of seaside activities in this vast expanse, from taking a long walk on an uncrowded beach to nature viewing on a grand scale.
Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley
The locals call it “The Valley” and this is where the action is for culinary lovers, as the region’s wine producers continue to build on growing international recognition. City dwellers take advantage of the quick commute, leaving the urban hustle behind to enjoy a day of fine wine and fine food. Wineries Benjamin Bridge and Luckett Vineyards are flagship examples of the kind of top quality that produces driving interest in this area. A very agreeable climate in the spring and fall — safe from the cooling sea layer effect that can hang around Halifax and the Eastern Shore — helps extend the seasons. This region is home to Acadia University, so residents benefit from the excitement and energy that comes with the seasonal ebb and flow of student activity. Outstanding farmer’s markets proffer the bounty of this fertile growing region, with the famous Tangled Garden in Grand Pre drawing locals and tourists alike.
Northumberland Shore
Over the past few years — and during the Covid pandemic — the North Shore has become an increasingly popular destination. East coasters and newcomers alike are exploring this region both for getaway cottages and year-round homes. This area fronts the Northumberland Straight, known for warm waters that provide a moderating effect on the local climate. You could say the North Shore offers more bang for your buck, making it very attractive to anyone who craves a life on the water without the accompanying price tag. Branded as the Sunrise Trail for tourism purposes, it offers an almost overly generous serving of rolling hills and pastoral scenes. On the drive along Route 6 you will pass through gorgeous farmlands extending from Amherst to Pugwash and beyond.
Eastern Shore
We call this the undiscovered country — it’s one of the few areas of the province that is not serviced by a series 100 highway. Depending on who you ask, this can be a good or a bad thing (sometimes both). It’s just 45 minutes from downtown Halifax and we feel there is outstanding investment potential here. The Eastern Shore is home to some of the province’s most spectacular beaches, so if you’re into surfing, wildlife and incredible natural scenery…this is your spot. Case in point: You could arrive here on a sunny Canada Day weekend and easily find parking. Destinations like Taylors Head and Clam Harbour are not to be missed. In the past, it’s been known as a foggier, cooler area of the province but (without scientific data to back this up) we’re sensing that the effects of climate change are taking some of the edge off. This area is a great option for younger adventurous working folks, especially if you’re on a budget.
Cape Breton Island
The legend of Cape Breton is what it is, and everything you’ve heard is true. The spectacular scenery, the Cabot Trail, the Bras d'Or Lakes….Even with its fame, there’s exceptional value for investors here. Sure it’s a longer drive from Halifax, but it’s sure worth the ride. Many tourists will spend a few days doing the famed Cabot Trail, which is particularly scenic during the fall. This is also a golfer’s paradise, with the number one ranked course in the country at Cabot Cliffs, and Highland Links and Cabot Links not far behind. Visitors from all over the world arrive in private jets to get away from it all and enjoy the friendly laid-back vibe..
Yarmouth and Acadian Shore
Tourism Nova Scotia sums this region up the best! “Yarmouth & Acadian Shores is quiet and peaceful, yet full of adventure. Where the land meets the sea and you will experience both English and Acadian cultures and where the darkest skies let the stars shine their brightest. It’s where the food is fresh and local, and the music is too.This region is part of North America’s first starlight destination - Acadian Skies and Mi’kmaq Lands - as designated by the International Starlight Foundation. Here you can discover dark skies like nowhere else, with brilliant stars from distant galaxies shining against the night sky.”
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Nova Scotia's wine country is shaped by the sea. Its Tidal Bay appellation is unique in North America and is known for the cool, crisp profile and unique aromatic notes in the wines. With roots reaching to the 1600s, Nova Scotia was one of the first areas to cultivate wine grapes in North America.
Tee it up... Nova Scotia is a golfer's paradise!
The spectacular Cabot Links Resort in Cape Breton is home to 2 Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.
Cabot Cliffs photo credit: Jacob Sjöman
Featured Photographer - Adam Cornick
Adam Cornick is a Halifax-based freelance photographer and author of Coastal Nova Scotia: A Photographic Tour. In 2008, Adam was living in Cornwall in the U.K. with his Canadian partner when they decided to start a new life. They put a finger on a map and took a leap of faith that landed them in Canada's Ocean playground. “Having the raw North Atlantic surf on my doorstep and never-ending inspiration for photography — I’m happy to call Nova Scotia home,” he says. Find him at @acorn_art_photography
What got you into photography? I've always been an artist, right from being a young kid reading comics and doodling for hours. I studied fine art at university. When digital photography came on the scene and allowed instant results that you could study and improve on, I was hooked.
What do you love about capturing images? I find the chase of the image just as exciting as the capture. I'll study locations in advance and work out the best conditions for a place to work — best light, angle, weather, season, etc. — and hope to catch as many of them at once. Sometimes they all come together.
Who are your photographic mentors? My main inspirations are Paul Zizka and Chris Burkard — and anyone who gets out there in all conditions to try and capture some magic!
What makes a great image? That depends on the genre of image or photograph you're making. For landscape photography, the composition is key and something I'm considering on every scene I'm capturing. The "rule of thirds" and "lead in lines" are two simple rules to follow when starting out.
What are your favourite subjects to photograph? The coastline features heavily in my work. The power of the ocean meeting land has been, and will always be, a key subject. Either surfing in the waves or watching them roll into shore, little else in life matters during those moments. It is very cathartic.
“We lived outside of Toronto, and the three-hour commutes, urban sprawl, lack of quality time with family... It was definitely time for a change. My wife and daughter had visited Halifax many times and my wife would talk about how beautiful it was and the pace of life. I received a job offer so we decided to give it a shot. East coast living suits us much better. We have discovered how valuable our time is — and have been able to enjoy so much more of that time together as a family.”
— Chris and Sara