Moncton, New Brunswick: A Great Place To Live?

Moncton, New Brunswick, is a welcoming place with a good quality of life , clean air, and a low cost of living. It is the most populous city in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, with a population of around 157,000 in its metropolitan area. The city has a stable and diversified economy, with a focus on transportation, distribution, retail, and commercial industries, as well as a growing high-tech sector. Moncton is officially bilingual, with a mix of English and French-speaking communities, and its unemployment rate is consistently below the national average. The city offers a range of recreational facilities, including parks, trails, and sports centres, and is known for its friendly community. With affordable housing and a safe environment, Moncton could be an ideal place to live for those seeking a simpler lifestyle surrounded by nature.

Moncton's economy

Moncton's strategic location in the Maritimes has made it a centre for high-tech and service industries. Its bilingual workforce, with approximately 46% of the population being bilingual, has attracted federal employment and call centres, with 37 call centres employing over 5,000 people. The city's ability to host major events, its high-capacity transportation infrastructure, and its position as the location of New Brunswick's main airport have also contributed to its economic strength.

Moncton has a thriving financial sector, attracting major financial institutions such as RBC Royal Bank and Tangerine due to its strategic location, talented workforce, and low cost of doing business. The city's insurance sector is also well-established, with prominent companies like Assumption Life, Intact Insurance, and Medavie Blue Cross choosing to base their operations there.

Moncton's information and communications technology (ICT) sector is thriving, benefiting from a "Smart City" mindset and cutting-edge fibre optic connectivity. The city's reputation for gaming technologies and animation has further enhanced its appeal in this sector.

The retail sector in Moncton is vibrant, with major retail centres drawing consumers from within a 2.5-hour commuting radius. This, coupled with tourism, employs a significant portion of the city's workforce, at 23.5%.

Moncton's diversified economy has been recognised nationally, with Canadian Business magazine naming it "The best city for business in Canada" in 2004, and FDi magazine ranking it as the fifth most business-friendly small-sized city in North America in 2007. The local unemployment rate is consistently below the national average, averaging around 6%.

Moncton's culture and community

Moncton is a vibrant and diverse community with a rich cultural heritage. The city is officially bilingual, reflecting its history as a centre for both English and French communities. This linguistic duality is a defining feature of Moncton, with English and French speakers co-existing and influencing each other's cultures.

The city's cultural scene is enhanced by its many parks, trails, and recreational facilities. Centennial Park, the most popular park in the area, offers an artificial beach, hiking and skiing trails, sports facilities, and a treetop adventure course. The city also boasts several museums, including the Moncton Museum and the Musée acadien, as well as art galleries such as the Galerie Sans Nom. Moncton's Capitol Theatre, a restored 1920s-era vaudeville house, hosts performing arts, theatre, and symphony performances. The Aberdeen Cultural Centre is a major Acadian cultural hub, providing studio space and galleries for local artists.

Moncton's diverse population is reflected in its religious and ethnic makeup. According to the 2021 census, Christianity is the most prevalent religion, followed by those who identify as non-religious. The city is also home to Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish communities. In terms of ethnicity, the majority of residents are of European ancestry, with visible minorities making up around 15% of the population. The largest ethnic minority groups include Black, South Asian, Arab, and Filipino communities.

The city's cultural life is further enriched by various festivals and events, such as the Frye Festival, a literary celebration honouring the renowned literary critic Northrop Frye, who was a native of Moncton. The Atlantic Nationals Automotive Extravaganza, the largest annual gathering of classic cars in Canada, is another popular event. Moncton also hosts several sporting events, including the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics and regular-season CFL football games.

Moncton's friendly and welcoming community is known for its strong sense of neighbourliness and mutual support. With its vibrant culture, diverse population, and abundance of recreational opportunities, Moncton offers a high quality of life to its residents.

Moncton's history

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, is located on the traditional territory of the Mi'kmaq people, who were semi-nomadic, spending spring and summer on the coasts of Atlantic Canada and fall and winter further inland. They relied on the land and sea for food, clothing, tools, and dwellings.

The first European settlers in Moncton were the French Acadians, who settled in the region in the 1670s. They established a small agricultural community, naming it Le Coude, or "the elbow", referring to the bend in the Petitcodiac River. In 1733, the Acadian settlement reached the site of present-day Moncton. However, in 1755, the Acadian population was deported after the Petitcodiac River valley came under British control following the capture of Fort Beauséjour by British forces under Lt. Col. Robert Monckton. The city was later renamed in 1855 for Lt. Col. Robert Monckton.

In 1766, German settlers from Pennsylvania arrived and established their community, naming it The Bend. The city's modern name was first used in the 1860s, honouring Robert Monckton, a British commander and lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia during the time of the deportations.

Moncton's early prosperity was linked to shipbuilding, with the establishment of a shipyard by George and Joseph Salter in 1849. The town was incorporated in 1855, with shipbuilder Joseph Salter as its first mayor. However, with the advent of steam vessels in the 1870s, the shipbuilding industry declined, causing economic hardship for the city.

Moncton's fortunes changed again with the arrival of the Intercolonial Railway of Canada, which selected Moncton as its headquarters in 1871. This development led to the reincorporation of the town in 1875, with the motto "Resurgo", meaning "I rise again" in Latin. Moncton became a city in 1890 and continued to grow and prosper as a regional distribution and transportation hub.

During the Second World War, Moncton played a crucial role as a training and operational base for the Royal Canadian Air Force, with two air bases established in the area. The city also served as a trans-shipment point for materiel funneling to the ports of Halifax, Saint John, and Sydney.

In more recent times, Moncton has faced economic challenges with the departure of major employers in the 1980s, but the city has proven resilient, rebounding through growth in sectors like light manufacturing, technology, distribution, tourism, and retail. Moncton has become the fastest-growing city in Canada east of Toronto and is known for its strong and proud Acadian population, with French and Chiac heard daily alongside English.

Moncton's climate

Summers in Moncton are warm, with occasional hot and humid days. Daytime highs average around 25°C (77°F) but can sometimes exceed 30°C (86°F). The sun shines for an average of 8.93 hours in July, the hottest month of the year. The warm season lasts for 3.4 months, from June to mid-September, with an average daily high above 67°F.

Winters in Moncton are freezing and snowy, with daytime high temperatures usually just below freezing. Several cold snaps occur each winter when temperatures can drop to between -15°C (5°F) and -25°C (-13°F). The coldest month is January, with an average low of 10°F and a high of 26°F. The cold season lasts for about 3.4 months, from early December to mid-March.

Spring in Moncton is often delayed due to the sea ice in the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence, which takes time to melt and cools the onshore winds. Autumn is influenced by the retention of heat in the Gulf, and daytime temperatures remain mild until mid-October. The stormiest weather of the year usually occurs during the fall-winter transition, from mid-December to mid-January.

Rainfall is present throughout the year in Moncton, even in the driest month. The wettest month is December, with an average of 117 mm (4.6 inches) of precipitation, while the driest month is August, with an average of 81 mm (3.2 inches). The average annual precipitation is approximately 1150 mm (45.3 inches).

Moncton's housing market

The booming housing market in Moncton is also reflected in the high number of realtors and active listings. There are over 470 realtors and 400 active listings in the Moncton real estate market, including new constructions that are not yet finished. This competitive market has led to a decrease in home inspections as buyers rush to secure properties.

Despite the rising prices, Moncton still offers a favourable property tax rate of only 2% of the average income, which is in line with other cities in New Brunswick. The city's household income averages $75,477, and it is considered a centre of high-tech and service industries in the province.

For those seeking to rent rather than buy, Moncton also offers affordable options. The cost of living in Moncton is considered very reasonable, and the city provides a good quality of life. The city is safe and welcoming, with a mix of French and English communities and cultures, and almost all French speakers are bilingual.

Overall, Moncton's housing market is currently experiencing high demand and limited supply, leading to increasing prices. However, the city still offers a favourable property tax rate and a good quality of life for its residents.

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