Fredericton, NB
Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick is popular with newcomers for its entrepreneurial spirit and friendly communities. As the Saint John River bisects the city, residents are surrounded by picturesque views with plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. With its Acadian heritage culture, multicultural population and low cost of living, Fredericton is becoming a popular spot to consider settling in and our Fredericton Livability guide will make it easy to see why.
As Fredericton is an important cultural and educational centre of the province, most residents have a post-secondary education degree and higher per capita income than the rest of the province. While most employment opportunities are in the public and education sector, there are growing opportunities in IT, technology and entrepreneurial enterprises as well. The University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University both offer excellent programs for higher studies, drawing students from all over the globe. Students usually live around the area known as “The Hill” where the university campuses are located. Neighbourhoods like Devon, Nashwaaksis, Marysville and Barker’s Point in the north side of the city house friendly suburban communities, with green spaces around and retail outlets nearby, which make these areas ideal for family living. For those with young children, the city offers a number of Anglophone and Francophone schools. Fredericton Transit provides bus services to most parts of the city and buses are equipped with cycle racks for the convenience of cyclists.
To get a true feeling of Fredericton’s distinct community culture, be sure to visit the festivals the city hosts year round. In the summer, visit the Harvest Jazz and Blues festival, which attracts musical acts and visitors from the world over. In the winter months, Frostival, WinterfestHiver and Shivering Songs keep residents entertained, but you shouldn’t let the cold keep you from enjoying the city’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Take the time to enjoy curling, or the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trips you can take on the many trails around town. No Fredericton guide is complete without a mention of the Saint John River Valley. At this beautiful location, you can hike or bike through the network of trails and enjoy the panoramic scenery from many vantage points.
In Fredericton, nature’s bounty isn’t limited to just the outdoors. Head to the W.W. Boyce Farmer’s Market and Northside market for a taste of authentic local food. This market is a food lovers’ paradise and offers an array of vendors and food items to choose from. A must visit while you’re at Northside market is Yerxa’s Meats, where they sell all natural beef raised without any growth hormones and antibiotics.