New Brunswick: Immigrants' Best-Kept Secret

New Brunswick is a great place for immigrants to settle, with its welcoming attitude towards newcomers, affordable living, and laid-back lifestyle. The province offers an abundance of job opportunities, a high quality of life, and a strong acceptance of world cultures. The local community is friendly, with short commutes and a strong emphasis on family and leisure activities.

New Brunswick offers a more relaxed, healthy, and affordable lifestyle, with accessible healthcare and education systems. The province is also ideal for those who want to be close to nature, with its proximity to oceans, lakes, rivers, and trails, as well as lively urban centres.

The province has a strong job market, with over 12,000 job opportunities annually in various sectors, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, transportation, construction, information technology, agriculture, and aquaculture.

New Brunswick is also one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces and the only officially bilingual province, with English and French having equal status. This makes it an attractive destination for businesses and contributes to its vibrant culture.

Overall, New Brunswick offers a positive environment for immigrants, with a strong job market, a high quality of life, and a welcoming attitude towards different cultures.

New Brunswick's acceptance of world cultures

New Brunswick has welcomed immigrants with open arms, celebrating diverse cultures and offering a high quality of life. The province is known for its friendly communities and inclusive atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxed and healthy lifestyle. From 2000 to 2015, approximately 25,620 immigrants chose to live in New Brunswick, attracted by its natural beauty, strong economy, and cultural diversity.

The province boasts a vibrant food scene, with farmers' markets across New Brunswick showcasing cuisine from around the world. Most cities host multicultural festivals during the summer months, providing a platform for different cultures to come together and celebrate their unique traditions. This celebration of diversity extends beyond cuisine, with multicultural associations offering settlement services to ease the transition for newcomers.

New Brunswick's education system is another testament to its commitment to world cultures. The schools, particularly the primary schools, are community-focused with a high level of parental involvement. This sense of community enhances the already high-quality education provided in the province. Additionally, many primary schools have dedicated teachers to help children learn English and adjust to the Canadian school system. The education system in New Brunswick comprises both public and private institutions, including nine universities and ten colleges.

The province also offers affordable real estate, with some of the lowest prices in the country. This accessibility allows families from diverse backgrounds to establish their homes and build their lives in New Brunswick.

New Brunswick's job market is thriving, with an abundance of opportunities in various sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, transportation, construction, information technology, agriculture, and aquaculture. The province strives to bridge the worker-to-retiree ratio and actively recruits skilled individuals who can contribute to its economy.

The acceptance of world cultures in New Brunswick is further evident in its status as the only officially bilingual province in Canada, where French and English have equal status. This linguistic diversity is reflected in cities like Saint John, where English and French speakers coexist harmoniously.

Overall, New Brunswick has fostered an environment that embraces and celebrates diverse cultures. Through its inclusive communities, vibrant cultural offerings, and strong support systems, the province has become a desirable destination for immigrants seeking a welcoming and prosperous new home.

The province's education system

New Brunswick has a publicly funded education system, with Kindergarten to Grade 12 education being offered through a dual system of English and French schools. Attendance at these public schools is compulsory until the completion of high school or until the age of 18.

The province's Education Act distributes authority and responsibility between the provincial government, represented by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and the District Education Councils (DECs), which are elected at the local level every four years. The minister establishes and monitors educational and service standards and policy frameworks, while the DECs, through their school districts' superintendents, are responsible for program implementation and school operation. The province is divided into seven school districts, four Anglophone and three Francophone, with each district having school-based advisory committees called Parent School Support Committees.

The University of New Brunswick, with campuses in Fredericton and Saint John, is the province's largest and the oldest English-language university in Canada. Other universities in the province include St. Thomas University, Mount Allison University, and the Université de Moncton, which is the largest Francophone institution outside Quebec.

New Brunswick also has several colleges, including the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), which offers post-secondary education in English in more than 90 programs across its six campuses. The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) is a primarily Francophone post-secondary institution that also offers some programs in English across its five campuses. The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD) in Fredericton is the only college in Canada dedicated entirely to fine crafts and design.

Real estate in New Brunswick

New Brunswick offers some of the least expensive real estate in Canada. The average price of a home in the province was under $160,000 in 2012, and in 2023, the average house was sold for $175,000. This makes it an attractive option for families looking to relocate.

New Brunswick's largest city, Moncton, is known for being one of the best places in Canada to buy real estate. It has a thriving and developing downtown area and is ranked as one of the country's most affordable places for business.

The city of New Brunswick also has a range of housing options, from single-family homes to condos and townhomes. The median listing home price is $475,500, and homes typically spend around 50 days on the market.

The province offers a range of real estate options, from urban areas to small towns and rural communities. With its affordable housing and high quality of life, New Brunswick is an attractive destination for those looking to relocate.

Types of Housing in New Brunswick

The province has a variety of housing options available, including:

• Single-family homes
• Condos
• Townhomes
• Multi-family homes
• Apartments

Popular Neighborhoods in New Brunswick

Some of the most popular neighborhoods in New Brunswick include:

• South Central
• Pumptown
• North - Potters - New Dover
• Piscatawaytown
• Menlo Park - Valentine

Real Estate Market in New Brunswick

The real estate market in New Brunswick is active, with a median listing home price of $475,500 and an average of 50 days on the market. The province offers a range of housing options, from urban areas to small towns and rural communities.

Buying a Home in New Brunswick

When buying a home in New Brunswick, it is important to consider the following:

• Location: The province offers a range of locations, from urban areas to small towns and rural communities. Each location will have different amenities and attractions nearby.
• Budget: With the median listing home price at $475,500, it is important to consider your budget and what you can afford.
• School districts: If you have children, the quality of the school district may be an important factor in your decision.
• Commute: Consider the distance to your workplace or other important locations. New Brunswick is known for its short commutes.

The quality of life in the province

New Brunswick is a great place for immigrants to settle down and enjoy a relaxed, healthy, and affordable lifestyle. The province offers a high quality of life, with access to basic amenities and a thriving job market. The people of New Brunswick value hard work but also understand the importance of family and leisure activities. The province has something for everyone, from vibrant cities to breathtaking natural landscapes.

One of the biggest draws of New Brunswick is its low cost of living. The province offers some of the least expensive real estate in the country, with the average price of a home well below the national average. This makes it possible for many families to own a home with land, which might not be affordable in other parts of Canada. Additionally, essential utilities such as water, gas, and electricity are also more affordable in New Brunswick.

New Brunswick also boasts a strong education system, with a mix of public and private institutions. The primary schools, in particular, are very community-focused and benefit from a high level of parental involvement. The province is also home to nine universities and ten colleges, making it an ideal place for those seeking higher education.

Healthcare is another area where New Brunswick shines. All permanent residents and citizens are entitled to basic, universal, government-funded healthcare, which covers most medically required services. Many employers also offer additional health coverage as part of their benefits packages.

The province offers a wide range of career opportunities, especially in healthcare, education, manufacturing, transportation, construction, information technology, agriculture, and aquaculture. The job market in New Brunswick is strong, with over 12,000 job opportunities available annually. This abundance of jobs provides endless entrepreneurial possibilities for those looking to start their own businesses.

New Brunswick also has a rich cultural life, with diverse communities celebrating their heritage through food, festivals, and art. The province is known for its acceptance of world cultures, with farmers' markets and multicultural festivals showcasing the diverse talents of its residents.

The province also offers a laid-back lifestyle, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Within just a few minutes, one can leave the city and be kayaking, hiking, or swimming in the Bay of Fundy, famous for having the highest tides in the world.

However, it's worth noting that New Brunswick experiences cold, snowy winters, with temperatures dropping to -30 °C or lower. The summers, on the other hand, can be quite warm, with temperatures occasionally reaching 30/32 °C.

New Brunswick's healthcare system

New Brunswick has a universal healthcare system that is publicly funded by the provincial government. This means that all permanent residents and citizens of New Brunswick are offered free healthcare, provided by two healthcare regions: Vitalité Health Network and Horizon Health Network. The specific region of service will depend on where an individual settles. To obtain healthcare services, residents need a New Brunswick Medicare card, which covers most medically required services.

The province also provides a free, confidential health advice and information line called Tele-Care 811, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents can speak to a registered nurse about health symptoms, injuries, or illnesses and receive guidance on the next steps to take.

The province also has resources specifically for individuals with disabilities, including counselling, education, employment assistance, financial assistance, housing support, recreational activities, and transportation.

Frequently asked questions