Booming might be a good thing — jobs, entertainment, fine dining — but for holiday-goers looking to make a move to a new city or today’s freelancer, the digital nomad, wanting to see more of this country, it’s a good idea to actually visit before you consider throwing down roots. Knowing how your personality vibes with the underground heartbeat of an area is important. While access to amenities is important, especially for digital nomads, this career and lifestyle choice was made to have the freedom of movement without the hassle of things that bog down our traditional counterparts.
So, whether just visiting or planning to relocate, which Canadian cities are the most apropos for a solo traveler, for instance?
At one time, Vancouver, BC was considered the place to be. Vancouver overshadowed this city — one that’s not only on the rise, but that investors are proving is a wise investment choice in comparison: Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax feels like a city when you consider all there is to do, places to stay, and fine dining options. The neat thing about Halifax is that its downtown area, though dense, is easy to navigate. You won’t get lost in Halifax the way Vancouver can trip you up.
Halifax wins out over Vancouver in terms of affordability, too, but that may change the more people realize everything this little big town has to offer. The cool thing about Halifax for a digital nomad is that everyone had the same idea! So, there’s a ton of startup, entrepreneurs, and companies — meaning you can network, find your next client, and chill with other like-minded individuals.
On the other hand, if the size of a city doesn’t scare you —the bigger the better — Ottawa is a large city that’s considered one of the most affordable big cities in Canada. In fact, throughout the country, the norm is that a big city usually means expensive and tons of stuff to do — a small city means more affordability but the tradeoff is in lost accommodations and amenities. This isn’t so in Ottawa.
If you are looking to travel in Canada or are looking for a booming town to relocate, Halifax and Ottowa are two of Canada’s biggest and brightest cities.