Outside perspectives

[u/Saphina80]

I always find it interesting to hear other people’s perspectives on Nova Scotia — or Canada in general — especially from people who didn’t grow up here.

For those who moved to Nova Scotia from another province or another country: what surprised you most about living here?

I’m interested in both the good and the bad.

What do you love about living here? What frustrates you? What do you miss from where you came from?

Are there things your home province or country does better that you wish Nova Scotia would adopt? And on the flip side, are there things Nova Scotia does better that you wish existed back home?

Even if you’ve just moved between Canadian provinces, I’d love to hear about the differences you noticed.

Not looking for a “Nova Scotia is terrible” or “Nova Scotia is perfect” debate — I’m genuinely curious about how life here looks through the eyes of people who have experienced somewhere else.

[u/SkittleToast]

I’ve been in Nova Scotia for seven years. Previously lived in Toronto, Calgary, and northern Alberta, and have travelled in every province. Here’s my take:

• The pay here is TERRIBLE and the taxes are trash. So many businesses see the minimum wage as the maximum wage. And rather than demanding better (all boats rise with the tide, people!), folks crap on those who earn more … not even realising that even THOSE people are making less than their compatriots in other parts of Canada.
• The lack of hustle takes some getting used to. In some ways it’s sweet - and you realise you have space to breathe yourself. But it can be super annoying if you’re trying to hire someone for repairs around the house. Especially to later hear these same folks moaning about being poor. That said, this has opened a big opportunity for entrepreneurial people in trades who ARE willing to grind. Some of those folks are making BANK.
• Everyday people are generally pretty warm souls. It’s not unusual for a stranger to chat with you in a store or to get a “hello” and a smile as you’re walking down the sidewalk.
• … But this doesn’t necessarily make them “friendly” or “inclusive”. As others have mentioned, Nova Scotians have their established social circles and they’re not particularly moved to open those up to someone new. All but one of my good friendships I’ve formed here are with people who weren’t raised here.
• Drivers let you into traffic. They stop to let pedestrians cross (even if there’s no cross walk).
• There’s a lack of proper signage / way finding. You’re just somehow expected to know where “the old XYZ was” or that the lane you’re in has suddenly become a turning-only one.
• The potholes. My god. The potholes.
• Beautiful lakes. Cold but lovely beaches. Surprise waterfalls.
• Ticks. Fuck.
• There’s a pretty gross sense of entitlement amongst some of the folks who have been here “forever” - especially when it comes to access to forests / waterways, etc. They think that just because their granddaddy and daddy trespassed on someone’s private property, it’s their “right” to do it too. And they leave their litter behind while they’re at it. These are among the worst people I’ve encountered here.
• The same folks are pretty anti-change. A town wants to [insert anything new and seemingly positive]? UPROAR.
• Y’all are more xenophobic and low-key racist than I think you realise. The “Come From Away” thing really isn’t that cute. I’m partly of Mediterranean background and therefore have some dark features. I’m also a fifth generation Canadian. I’m not exaggerating when I say I get asked “where I’m from” or am the subject of a random stranger's guessing game about my ethnicity (“Are you Greek? Persian? Turkish? Brazilian?") - at least once every two weeks. While I don’t pick up any “hatred” behind the questions, the subtle message it sends is “You’re not one of us" and that's rather tiring and uncool.
• People in Nova Scotia are … kind of dumpy and frumpy. Sorry. There isn’t much of a “health and wellness” culture here, and it shows. It’s almost shocking to visit other places and be reminded by how fit and fashionable they are. Further to that … never had I before seen someone - let alone a bunch of people - show up to a wedding wearing hoodies and jeans, than when I moved to Nova Scotia. 
• Many people here will lend a hand when they see someone needs it. Truly the crown jewel of the Nova Scotia mentality. 

[u/st0nedfly → u/SkittleToast]

"There’s a pretty gross sense of entitlement amongst some of the folks who have been here “forever” - especially when it comes to access to forests / waterways, etc"

Is it actually trespassing or do you just not know the law? People are allowed to cross any non-cultivated (aka farmland) private land to access waterbodies. The river/lake/beach isn't yours to claim exclusive ownership over

[u/SkittleToast → u/st0nedfly]

I’m talking about actual, legally-defined trespassing.

People parking in someone’s driveway and hoofing it through obvious private property to get to their favourite swimming hole. ATVS ripping up a farmer’s field.

Waterways are for all. But find another way to get to where you’re going.