Saint John, New Brunswick: A Great Place To Live?

Saint John, New Brunswick is a great place to live. It is Canada's oldest incorporated city, established by royal charter in 1785. The city has a rich history, dating back to 1604 when it was discovered by Samuel de Champlain. With a population of around 69,895 people, Saint John offers a vibrant and beautiful historic city centre, nature parks, and breathtaking ocean views. The cost of living is surprisingly affordable compared to most other Canadian cities.

The city has a unique location where the Saint John River meets the Bay of Fundy, creating a natural phenomenon known as the Reversing Falls Rapids. This natural site features impressive rapids, gurgling whirlpools, and small waterfalls that change direction with the incoming and outgoing tides.

Saint John also boasts a thriving arts and culture scene, with historic buildings converted into chic coffee shops, microbreweries, and art galleries. The city is home to various museums, including the New Brunswick Museum, and the historic Imperial Theatre. The uptown area features a multitude of architectural styles from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In terms of outdoor spaces, Saint John offers Rockwood Park, one of Canada's largest urban parks, and Irving Nature Park, with breathtaking views of the Bay of Fundy. The city is also close to Fundy National Park, a vast wilderness area with wildlife such as black bears, moose, and beavers.

The people of Saint John are known for their friendliness and approachability, making it a welcoming place to live. Overall, Saint John, New Brunswick offers a unique combination of history, nature, culture, and a strong sense of community, making it an attractive place to call home.

Reversing Falls Rapids

The Reversing Falls Rapids are a series of rapids on the Saint John River, located in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy, creating a unique phenomenon. The semidiurnal tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current when the tide is high, although this is frequently surpassed by the downstream volume of water during the spring freshet. The rapids are created by a series of underwater ledges that roil the water in both directions, resulting in significant navigation hazards. As a result, vessels must wait for slack tide to enter or exit the river safely.

The Reversing Falls have also been an important industrial site for over a century. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is currently used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The location of the falls has been home to a foundry and other light industrial operations, as well as a large pulp mill operated by J.D. Irving since the late 1940s.

The Reversing Falls Rapids are a popular tourist destination, offering a range of viewing experiences. Visitors can observe the rapids from the Reversing Falls Rapids Lookout Point near the bridge in Fallsview Park, or from the Wolastoq Park for a bird's-eye view. There is also a restaurant with views of the rapids and ziplining excursions available for an adrenaline-filled experience. However, some visitors have expressed disappointment with the paid viewing platforms, recommending free alternatives instead.

To fully appreciate the phenomenon, it is essential to time your visit with the tides. During low tide, the river empties into the bay, creating rapids and whirlpools. As the tide rises, it briefly slows the river current before gradually reversing the flow, with rapids peaking at high tide. This tidal cycle occurs approximately every 12.5 hours, with an 8.5-metre (28-foot) difference in water level.

Irving Nature Park

Saint John, New Brunswick, is Canada's oldest incorporated city, established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign of King George III. The city boasts a rich history and culture, beautiful natural landscapes, and a vibrant urban life.

One of the notable attractions in Saint John is the Irving Nature Park, a 600-acre (243-hectare) site created by J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) to protect the environmentally significant area along the Fundy coastline. The park is just minutes from downtown Saint John and offers a diverse range of ecosystems to explore.

Habitats and Wildlife:

The Irving Nature Park is home to a variety of habitats, including a forest, a salt marsh estuary, beaches, and a bog. The park features six different ecosystems and a diversity of flora and fauna. It is also a traditional staging site for migratory and marine birds travelling between the Arctic and South America and a breeding ground for many waterfowl along the Atlantic coastline. More than 250 species of birds can be found in the park, and maritime mammals like whales are often spotted offshore.

Activities and Amenities:

The park offers eight walking trails of varying lengths, allowing visitors to explore the diverse landscapes and ecosystems. It also has a boardwalk that extends into the salt marsh, providing accessible pathways for all visitors. The park's highest point is the Lookout Tower, which offers a 360-degree view of the land and sea. Other amenities include free interactive educational programs and activities, picnic sites and gas barbecues, and the Children's Forest, which features a playground and life-size mazes.

Reviews and Recognition:

The Irving Nature Park has received positive reviews from visitors, who praise its beauty, well-maintained trails, and family-friendly offerings. It has also been recognised with a "Certificate of Excellence" from TripAdvisor, receiving 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The Irving Nature Park, with its diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and recreational opportunities, is a significant attraction in Saint John, contributing to the city's natural charm and offering a peaceful escape from urban life.

Rockwood Park

When winter arrives, Rockwood Park transforms into a winter wonderland, offering activities such as ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sleigh rides. The park caters to various interests, with rock climbing, paddle boarding, and geocaching available for adventure seekers. Additionally, the park has an 18-hole, 70-par public golf course nestled among scenic hillside terrain, offering a balanced challenge for golfers of all skill levels.

For those seeking a unique camping experience, Rockwood Park offers a choice of settings, from open RV sites to semi-wooded tenting areas. The park is easily accessible, located just 2 miles northeast of the city centre, making it a convenient escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Carleton Martello Tower

Saint John, New Brunswick, is Canada's oldest incorporated city, established during the reign of George III in 1785. The city has a rich history, having played an important role in trade and defence for Acadia during the French colonial era. Today, Saint John is a seaport city with a diverse range of cultural and historical sites, including the Carleton Martello Tower.

The Carleton Martello Tower is a National Historic Site of Canada and one of nine surviving Martello Towers in the country. These towers were small defensive forts built by the British, and the Carleton Martello Tower dates back to the War of 1812. The tower was constructed on a rocky cliff to protect the city from overland invasion by the United States. Although it was completed after the war ended in 1815, the tower served as a pivotal defensive structure for Saint John until World War II.

The tower is a circular masonry structure, 30 feet high and 50 feet in diameter. It features a flat roof designed to accommodate mounted artillery. While the interior of the tower is currently closed for renovations, visitors can explore the grounds and the Visitor Centre, which houses interactive exhibits. The tower's roof offers panoramic views of the city of Saint John and its harbour.

The Carleton Martello Tower has had a long and varied history, serving multiple military functions over the years. In 1846, a bombproof magazine was built inside, and from 1859 to 1866, it served as a powder magazine. During World War I, it was used as a detention centre for deserters. In 1939, at the outset of World War II, the tower became a Fire Command Post, and it remained operational until 1944.

Today, the Carleton Martello Tower stands as a testament to Canada's military history and has been open to the public since 1963. It offers a glimpse into the past and provides a unique perspective on the city of Saint John and its surroundings.

King's Square

Kings Square in Saint John, New Brunswick, is a classic, historic, and inviting urban park. Located in uptown Saint John, it is bounded by Sydney, Charlotte, King's Square North, and King's Square South Streets. The square was founded in 1785 in honour of King George III and is a salute to the Loyalist heritage of the city's founders. The pathways are designed in the shape of the British Union flag, with orthogonal and diagonal paths that meet in a central circle. The square is home to several monuments and plaques commemorating individuals who helped shape the city's heritage.

The central fountain was created in 1851, and a two-storey bandstand was added in 1908. The bandstand was donated by the City Coronet Band as a tribute to King Edward VII. The square also features a memorial for Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, who was born in Gagetown, New Brunswick, in 1818 and went on to become a successful politician. A war memorial, sculpted by Alfred Howell, was erected in 1925. The impressive Gorman memorial, built in 1962, captures speed skater Charles I. Gorman, whose leg was injured by shrapnel during the First World War. The Last Alarm Bell Monument was erected in 1986 to commemorate the bicentennial of the Saint John Fire Department.

Kings Square is a great place to hang out, with plenty of spots to sit and eat, relax, and people-watch. However, some visitors have noted that the area can feel a little sketchy at night, with a noticeable presence of panhandlers and intoxicated individuals. Overall, Kings Square is a beautiful and quaint spot to visit in Saint John, providing a blend of local and national history, modern recreation, and historical learning.

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