Alright! So, if you are planning to move to Canada as an International student or as a Foreign worker, or as a PR,
then this video is for you, my friend!
Because in this video, we'll discuss why you should choose Nova Scotia over any other province?
And what Nova Scotia has to offer you?
And we'll go through all the important points, I've listed
And we'll see what are the good things about Nova Scotia
Or any other province, So that it'll help you in making a decision, in case you are confused like which province you should move to.
So, without wasting much time, let's start the video.
So, I'll begin this video by talking about the province itself.
So, like any other province such as British Columbia and Ontario, about which I'm sure you must have heard about.
Similarly, Nova Scotia is also a province in Canada, but it is relatively small, in comparison to Ontario,
Because the population of the Toronto city of Ontario is 3 Million, but if we talk about Nova Scotia, as a province, then its population is just 1 Million.
So, it is a small province and it is an Atlantic province,
and if you check it on Google, then you'll find that it is by the Atlantic Ocean.
And because of that, the weather there is quite nice, according to me.
Rest we'll discuss further in detail
As a province, it is very nice and it feels like a small town.
Now, let's move further in the video and talk about other things too.
So, now moving to our first point, which is weather
I am personally monitoring the weather of Nova Scotia for such a long time because one of my friends moved in there,
and I do so just to keep a track of what kind of weather conditions he's going through.
And I check it almost every day, plus what I've heard from him is that, Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia.
So, the weather there is very nice.
Basically, my friend moved to Halifax, because it is the capital city and it is the biggest city in Nova Scotia.
It's the most happening city in Nova Scotia.
So, in case you'll plan about moving to Nova Scotia then most probably you'll go to Halifax, so I will talk about that only.
The weather there is very nice, as the summers do not have scorching heat nor do they have stone-cold winters as compared to Toronto.
So, throughout the summer temperature remains between 20-25 degrees Celsius
And during winters it is never less than -5 to -6 degrees Celsius.
But so far I'm monitoring it, it hasn't even reached -5 degrees Celsius.
And it is next to the ocean, so whenever there is snowfall, it gets removed very easily
it's not like the drift of the snow will be there for 10-12 days,
that is not how Nova Scotia is.
So in case of weather, Nova Scotia is very nice.
And in case you don't have a car, then also you can survive there very easily.
Because it's not that frosty.
Like I've talked about Alberta in one of my previous videos, the weather is very chilly there.
But it is quite nice in Halifax.
So you should not worry about the weather in case you are planning to move there.
Now, talking about Living expenses or the Cost of living in Nova Scotia,
it is a very interesting point because the rental properties (basic necessity) here are not that much expensive as in Toronto but on the other hand, these aren't as cheap as those in Edmonton or Calgary.
So, it kinda comes in the middle of these two.
So according to my research, you'll get a one-bedroom apartment for $1000-$1200
but the same in Toronto, you'll get for $1500-$1700
and if talk about Edmonton or Calgary, then you'll get it for $800-$1000.
So, it kinda comes in the middle.
Talking about Insurance, whether it is Home Insurance or Automobile Insurance is available at a much cheaper rate in comparison to those in big provinces.
Basically, if we compare the insurance rates of Nova Scotia then it's most likely less than any other province in Canada.
So, you'll get Insurance at very cheaper rates, whether it is a rental property or it's your own car,
because one, the population is very less here, it's just 1 Million in the entire province
Second, most of the population is not that young, so no fancy cars
like you'll find on the roads of Brampton,
every second person is having Mustang or Challenger,
but this is not the scenario in Nova Scotia.
So you will get a lot of relief in case of Insurance prices.
So like in GTA (Greater Toronto Area), you'll not have to pay $500-$600 every month, in the name of insurance in Nova Scotia.
Next, let's talk about another part of Living costs i.e. Monthly Grocery
So in case of grocery, you'll not find much difference in the prices
because the cost of all the food items is kinda same, but the tax on all the items is quite high.
That I'll cover in the next point.
So now, let's talk about Income and Taxes.
And here, by Income, I mean minimum wages.
The minimum wage in Nova Scotia province is $13 an hour, it's kinda okay, it's neither that much less nor that much high.
So, it is fine.
Earlier it was $11 per hour but now it is $13 per hour, which is ok.
So this is the guaranteed minimum wage that you'll get whether you are a part-time, full-time, or seasonal worker.
And after that, if we talk about Income tax, it is quite higher because things are different here.
Like in Alberta there is 10% flat income tax on your first 1 Lakh dollars.
But it's not the same in Nova Scotia, here let's say for the first $30,000 (taking in round figures) there'll be 8.8% income tax and for the next $30,000 there'll be 14% tax and on the next $30,000 there'll be 16% income tax.
So it keeps on increasing like this.
But it increases at a fast rate, like on every $30,000 the income tax goes on increasing
so, when your yearly salary will reach about 1 lakh dollars, you'll be paying 16% of income tax on it.
And that is a little too much for me if I talk about myself.
Now let's talk about Sales tax.
Like in Ontario it's 13% GST-HST and as I've told you there's no HST in Alberta, it's only GST there which is also only 5%.
And here in Nova Scotia, it's surprisingly 15%.
15% is a lot.
There'll be a 15% tax on everything you'll buy. If you compare with Ontario, then 13% to 15% is not a big jump.
But if you are still in India or you are just considering which province should I move to
then you'll obviously compare it with Alberta and 5% to 15% is a big jump.
So here Income tax and Sales tax both are high.
Because here province and the federal government both charge independently, which is not the case in Alberta.
So, Income tax, sales tax, GST, etc are quite high here.
So, we've talked about numbers and figures till now, so let's now just talk about reality,
about Job opportunities or what is the Job market in Nova Scotia.
So, as I told you earlier that Halifax is the main city of Nova Scotia.
So, you'll find most of the job opportunities in this city or around it only.
Other than that if we compare it with other provinces such as Ontario or British Columbia, then job opportunities in Nova Scotia are far less.
Even if we compare its job opportunities with that in Alberta, if you have seen that video of mine then you can relate to it. So even in comparison to Alberta, job opportunities here are very few.
It doesn't have many industries or businesses, it is not a very developed area, I mean it is, but not that much.
Like if we compare it with British Columbia or Ontario, which is very obvious because Nova Scotia is an Atlantic province and Ontario is Ontario, we can't compare these.
But ya, the job market is diminutive.
So if you want to go and do some work there then do some research before you go there.
Because it's not like you get out of one company and you get a job in another, or you'll get a job within a week or two, it's gonna take some time to get a job.
Because there are no new job opportunities out every week, it takes some time, due to less population, less number of industries.
So, job opportunities are very few, I mean they are there but very limited in number.
Now moving forward to my last point, which is PR opportunities.
So if you know that every province has its own PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) programs
This means if you don't have enough points while filing for Express entry on the basis of your education or work experience, then obviously you have to apply for Provincial Nominee Program.
The PNP program of Nova Scotia is very flexible.
So, if you completed your study there or you completed your study in some other province and now you are moving to Nova Scotia for work, then there are so many PNP programs you can file in, that you'll not leave Nova Scotia, empty-handed
if you talk about PR opportunities as compared to other provinces.
Filing for PNP in Ontario is very difficult because of the competition and it goes the same for British Columbia. Alberta's PNP programs are for people who graduated in Alberta only.
So, if you are a graduate from Alberta then it's fine for you, but Nova Scotia's PNP program has streams even for people who graduated from some other province.
But yes you have to do some research if you are planning to move there only for this reason.
And now I'll share my personal thoughts about Nova Scotia.
If I want to settle down there, then what are the highlights, and what are the reasons that will stop me from going there.
So, the main highlight according to me is the weather. The weather is very nice there. You'll not complain about the weather if you move to Nova Scotia.
And the second thing is Town life. Nova Scotia is not a very happening place, so if you like a peaceful environment with no traffic and big crowds then you'll like Nova Scotia a lot.
You can go for a peaceful morning or evening walk, no one will disturb you.
If you want a peaceful life then you should move to Nova Scotia but if you want growth and opportunities in life then obviously you will move to Toronto or British Columbia or Quebec
but the hustle and competition of those cities will also get added on
So it is up to you but for me, taxes here are a big pain. Basically, Income tax and Sales tax are too much looking at the province, because I feel they are too much as there aren't even too many opportunities
But once you secure a job, then your life will be good. My friend who recently moved to Nova Scotia is doing the same job and earns the same salary but he saves a great amount of money at the end of the month as compared to me (as I live in GTA)
So ya, it's just about finding the right job opportunity. If you find a good job in Nova Scotia then you can enjoy a good life there.
It just depends on your personal choices but I hope this video gave you enough information and this will help you in your decision
So let's end this video here, and if you liked this video then do like, share and subscribe and we will meet in some other video, and till then goodbye.