Halifax Starter Pack

Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) is about 35-40 minutes from downtown.

Maritime Bus and the airport's shuttle service both run scheduled routes into the city.

Uber, Lyft and taxis all operate from YHZ.

Coastal fog occasionally delays flights — build a buffer into tight travel connections.

Visa-exempt travelers flying in need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding.

Other nationalities need a Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) through IRCC.

Nova Scotia runs its own Provincial Nominee Program with dedicated newcomer settlement programs — a real draw for people immigrating to Canada.

Entering by land from the US generally needs only a valid passport, not an eTA.

Visitors are typically admitted for up to 6 months, set by the border officer.

Canada has no dedicated digital nomad visa — check current IRCC guidance before working remotely while visiting.

Maritime climate — cooler summers and less extreme winters than inland Canadian cities, moderated by the Atlantic.

Winter (Dec-Mar): regular snow and occasional nor'easters, but generally less severe cold than Calgary or Montréal.

Summer (Jun-Aug): mild, rarely hot, typically 18-24°C (64-75°F).

Fog is a genuine year-round feature of coastal life here, especially in spring and early summer.

Layered clothing is useful most of the year given how quickly coastal weather changes.

Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)

811 — Nova Scotia's free 24/7 non-emergency health advice line

Halifax Regional Municipality runs a non-emergency info line — check halifax.ca for the current number.

Save 911 and 811 to your phone before you need them.

Halifax Transit runs the city's bus network, plus a harbour ferry connecting Halifax and Dartmouth.

The Halifax peninsula is fairly compact and walkable, especially downtown and around the universities.

A car is useful for reaching areas outside the peninsula but not essential for daily life downtown.

Uber and Lyft both operate in the city, alongside traditional taxis.

Major carriers: Bell, Telus, Rogers, plus budget sub-brands (Koodo, Fido, Virgin Plus).

Prepaid SIMs are available at carrier stores and some convenience stores.

Home internet: Bell Aliant is the dominant provider in most of the metro, alongside Eastlink.

Halifax has a small but real coworking and startup scene, helped by its strong university presence.

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD).

All five major Canadian banks — RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC — have branches here.

Opening an account as a newcomer usually needs your passport, immigration document, and proof of address.

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work legally — apply through Service Canada on arrival.

Tap and contactless payment is standard everywhere.

Wise and Revolut both work well for moving money internationally.

North End: up-and-coming, more affordable, close to downtown and the waterfront.

South End: near Dalhousie University, leafy, popular with students and academics.

Downtown: walkable, waterfront, restaurants and nightlife within easy reach.

Dartmouth: across the harbour by ferry, generally more affordable than the Halifax peninsula.

Cost of living, especially rent, runs noticeably lower than Toronto or Vancouver.

Fresh seafood is the defining feature of the local food scene — lobster, scallops and fish and chips especially.

The Halifax waterfront boardwalk has a dense strip of restaurants and bars with harbour views.

Donair — Halifax's own spin on a doner-style sandwich — is a genuine local institution, worth trying at least once.

The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market is one of the oldest continuously running markets in North America.

Point Pleasant Park sits at the tip of the peninsula, with forest trails right along the Atlantic.

Peggy's Cove, with its iconic lighthouse, is a classic day trip about 45 minutes from the city.

The Halifax waterfront boardwalk is a popular walking and running route.

Kayaking and sailing on the harbour are easy to pick up given how central the water is to the city.

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 tells the story of Canada's Atlantic gateway for newcomers.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic covers Halifax's deep naval and shipping history.

Citadel Hill, a star-shaped fortress overlooking downtown, is a central city landmark.

Day trips to Lunenburg (a UNESCO World Heritage town) are popular and reachable in about an hour.

Hockey culture runs deep here — the Halifax Mooseheads (junior hockey) draw a loyal following.

Sailing and rowing are both genuinely popular given the harbour setting.

Running and cycling along the waterfront and through Point Pleasant Park are local favorites.

The pace of life is noticeably slower than Toronto or Montréal — part of the appeal for many newcomers.

A large student population (Dalhousie, Saint Mary's and others) keeps the city young and rent relatively reasonable for its size.

Coastal fog can affect flights and ferry schedules — build in buffer time when it matters.

Tipping norms follow the rest of Canada: roughly 15-20% at restaurants.